SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids, has greenlit a fifth season of its mega-hit comedy series iCarly.  The new season will roll out in 2012.  Launched in 2007, iCarly, has since become a pop culture staple and regularly tops all basic cable and broadcast TV among both kid and adult viewers.  Most recently, the show drew 7.4 million total viewers with the episode "iOMG" (Saturday, April 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT), which also nabbed basic cable's top spot for the week with viewers P2+.  Year-to-date, "iOMG" ranks as the top telecast with all kid and tween demos on all TV and is basic cable's top kids' telecast with total viewers.  iCarly is created and executive produced by television hitmaker Dan Schneider (Victorious, Zoey 101, Drake & Josh).

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"Our audience will be psyched to get more of what they love - new episodes of their favorite show, iCarly," said Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon.  "We are excited to see what Dan Schneider will do next with our favorite characters."

iCarly is a top-ranked series with both kids and adults and is currently averaging 7.4 million total viewers for the year to date.  The show regularly sets viewership records and frequently tops all basic cable and broadcast TV entertainment programs with specials like "iGot a Hot Room" and "iSaved Your Life."  In 2010, iCarly was Nickelodeon's number-one live-action show among K6-11, T9-14 and K2-11.  The show's, "iOMG" episode also posted triple-digit gains with all key demos, averaging 9.6/3.5 million K2-11 (+153% over last year), 12.0/2.6 million K6-11 (+173%) and 11.9/2.6 million T9-14 (+231%).

Nickelodeon's two-hits-in-one, iCarly (sitcom/website), starring teen sensation Miranda Cosgrove, converges the web and TV screen for kids as never before.  A show within a show, iCarly follows Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove) and her best friends, Sam (Jennette McCurdy), Freddie (Nathan Kress) and Gibby (Noah Munck), as they create a webcast for and about kids their age while grappling with everyday tween problems and adventures.  Carly lives with her older brother and guardian Spencer (Jerry Trainor) and produces her web show from a makeshift studio in the loft upstairs.  Due to Carly and Sam's hilarious banter and great chemistry, iCarly becomes an internet sensation and a pop phenomenon blooms with the weekly webcasts featuring everything from comedy sketches and talent contests to interviews, recipes and problem-solving.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids.  It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does.  The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films.  Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years.  For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com.  Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon