Exciting news for fans of the beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! The original animated series that captivated audiences from 1987 to 1996 is officially making its way to Nickelodeon. As the current owner of the TMNT franchise, Nickelodeon has secured global rights to the iconic ’80s television series produced by Fred Wolf Films. This announcement [via Variety] comes just before the highly anticipated theatrical release of Nickelodeon and Paramount’s latest animated feature film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, scheduled for next month.
Under the new deal, Nickelodeon gains access to all 193 episodes of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. These episodes are set to make their digital debut in the United States later this month through various platforms, including Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel, its Pluto TV channel, and its owned-and-operated linear channels. International distribution will follow, with Nickelodeon-branded channels and digital platforms bringing the episodes to fans worldwide at a later date.
The legacy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on TV is truly remarkable. Based on the comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the original animated series became a defining show of the ’80s and ’90s. Initially airing on first-run syndication, the series found a permanent home at CBS starting with Season 4 in 1990, ultimately producing an impressive ten seasons.
Over the years, the TMNT franchise underwent several reboots, with animated series airing on various networks. Nickelodeon’s parent company acquired the rights in 2009, leading to the launch of a second reboot series on the network in 2012. From 2018 to 2020, fans enjoyed the most recent reboot, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem hitting theaters on August 2nd, the excitement is reaching a fever pitch. As Nickelodeon brings the classic animated series back into the limelight, fans young and old can look forward to reliving the adventures of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael in their heroic battles against the forces of evil.