Nicktoons

Nicktoons is a brand used by Nickelodeon to designate its animated programming aimed at children and pre-teens. The term originated with a programming block on the Nickelodeon channel in 1991, which showcased the network’s first original animated series—Doug, Rugrats, and The Ren & Stimpy Show—and helped establish Nickelodeon’s identity as a producer of original cartoons. As the block gained popularity, Nickelodeon expanded Nicktoons into a 24-hour channel.

The Nicktoons Network launched in the United States in 2002 as a dedicated cable channel devoted to animated series from Nickelodeon and related properties. It later adopted the Nicktoons branding and became part of Nickelodeon’s suite of networks. The channel airs both classic and contemporary Nicktoons, including long-running favorites and new original series, as well as occasional acquisitions from other animation producers. The programming emphasizes humor, adventure, and kid-friendly storytelling and often targets children and pre-teens.

Nicktoons is distributed in multiple regions around the world through cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. It is part of Nickelodeon’s strategy to cultivate a broader audience for animated content and to complement the main Nickelodeon channel by focusing specifically on animation. The Nicktoons brand remains associated with well-known titles such as SpongeBob SquarePants and other Nicktoons staples, while also expanding to newer series and reboots.

See also: Nickelodeon, SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender