Viacom Digital Studios is creating a game show based on its popular cartoon franchise “SpongeBob SquarePants,” the company announced Monday morning at the 9th annual NewFronts event in New York. Expected to launch sometime in 2019, “SpongeBob Smarty Pants Game Show” will stream on Facebook and the SpongeBob-branded YouTube channel.
The series will feature two SpongeBob super-fans competing to win “The Golden Pineapple” by answering trivia questions, completing messy stunts and competing in SpongeBob-themed games.
And SpongeBob isn’t the only piece of IP getting a digital makeover. Viacom plans to launch a slate of digital shows across Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube based on major tentpole events, linear franchises and digital content from Awesomeness, BET, Comedy Central and MTV.
The company also announced a partnership with Snap Inc. on two new original series from its BET and MTV division. From BET, “De’Arra & Ken’s Prank Show” stars two YouTubers who team up with couples who want to prank their significant other. The series is expected to launch on Snapchat sometime in 2019. Also expected to launch on Snapchat this year, in June, is “Wrong Distance Relationship” from MTV. The Snap Original is a docu-drama series following three couples around the country trying to keep their romance from falling apart despite the thousands of miles between them.
Viacom Digital Studios is also launching two new shows — “Drag My Dad” (MTV) and “Throw Back with Nickelodeon” — exclusively on Facebook Watch. Hosted by Bob the Drag Queen, “Drag My Dad” showcases fathers who try to connect with their kids by dressing up in drag. “Throw Back with Nickelodeon,” hosted by Smosh co-founder Anthony Padilla, features sit-down interviews with stars from Nickelodeon’s older shows
“We have made incredible strides over the past year due to our acquisitions and expansion to grow our digital reach significantly to the direct benefit of our advertising partners,” said Sean Moran, Viacom’s head of ad solutions. “With more touch points than ever before, we look forward to leveraging the full scale and power of Viacom to help our clients create real, authentic connections with our highly coveted and hard-to-reach young audiences wherever they are.”
The complete list of digital shows announced by Viacom Digital Studios can be found below.
Awesomeness:
“Brent Rivera’s Dream Vacation” (AwesomenessTV YouTube Channel; Summer 2019): Join Brent Rivera and his friends as they ditch the LA grind for the vacation of a lifetime.
“How to Survive: A Break-Up” (AwesomenessTV YouTube Channel; Summer 2019): YouTuber Eva Gutowski stars in this scripted romantic comedy series about all the heartbreaking, and at times hilarious, steps to getting over a messy break-up and maybe finding new love along the way.
“Light as a Feather” Season Two (Hulu; July 26 & Oct. 4, 2019): Having inherited the curse brought on by the lethal game of “Light As A Feather,” McKenna finds herself plagued by the mysterious chrysalis on her back, a ticking clock compelling her to play a new round of the game… But McKenna refuses, unwilling to put anyone else in harm’s way. However, as the curse begins to destroy her from the inside out, she’s forced to turn to the only person who can possibly help her — Violet.
BET:
“Black Coffee” (YouTube, Facebook Watch, Twitter, O&O; Coming 2019): Black Coffee is an original digital talk series starring Marc Lamont Hill. This daily morning show promises to make sure viewers “stay woke” by catching up with Black Twitter’s liveliest conversations. Marc will be joined by guests representing some of this generation’s most influential voices and the show will feature daily Twitter exclusive discussions around some of social media’s trendiest topics. These segments will provoke passionate conversations from viewers on engaging and relevant topics.
“De’Arra & Ken’s Prank Show” (Snap Original; Coming 2019): YouTube stars De’Arra and Ken team up with couples who want to prank their significant other, and challenge each other to see who can pull off the same prank best.
“Two Grown” (YouTube, Facebook Watch, O&O; May 1, 2019): Two twenty-something women recently move to New York and hilariously struggle with growing up and pursuing their dreams. Jourdan Guyton and Alana Johnson star in this smart comedy full of wit and charm.
Comedy Central:
untitled late-night show from David Spade (YouTube, Facebook Watch, Twitter, Instagram, O&O; Summer 2019): Our new late-night series hosted by David Spade will be launching show channels and publishing content across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Gus Johnson Overall Talent Deal (YouTube; Summer 2019): Gus Johnson has signed an overall deal with Viacom Digital Studios to create monthly original videos for Comedy Central, in addition to more episodes of his “Low Budget” series. He will also star in a number of Comedy Central’s existing social series, including “That’s an App” and “As Seen on CC.”
“Second Chances with Jason Nash” (YouTube; Summer 2019): Forty-something comedian and digital star, Jason Nash, takes a shot at all the life experiences he missed out on in his youth.
The Daily Show Digital Expansion (YouTube, Facebook Watch, Twitter, Instagram, O&O; April 2019): Viacom Digital Studios has invested in the expansion of The Daily Show’s digital presence with several new digital exclusive formats and series in development.
MTV:
“3 Days With…” (YouTube; Coming 2019): Told through our unique MTV lens, this new docu-series will provide unfiltered access to both up-and-coming and established artists.
“Drag My Dad” (Facebook Watch; Summer 2019): Hosted by Bob the Drag Queen, this makeover show with a heart showcases dads who choose to get closer to their children by, believe it or not, turning themselves into fabulous divas.
“MTV No Filter: Tana Turns 21” (YouTube; Summer 2019): The first installment of MTV’s new “No Filter” reality series will follow social media wild child Tana Mongeau and her crazy crew as they navigate vlog life, studio time, partying and finally becoming adults.
“Next Big Dance Move” (YouTube; July 2019): Three contestants will perform what they think is the next big dance move in front of an esteemed panel of judges.
“Wild ‘N Out” (Twitch; Summer 2019): Since “Wild ‘N Out” fans love video games, we’re launching a dedicated Twitch channel for show personalities to play alongside fans.
“Wrong Distance Relationship” (Snap Original; June 4, 2019): “Wrong Distance Relationship” is a docu-drama series following the evolution of three couples around the country trying to keep their romance alive in the most dire of circumstances.
Nickelodeon:
“Annie vs. Hayley” Season 2 (YouTube; Coming 2019): After their LeBake Battle, your favorite competitive sisters are back for more. Annie and Hayley LeBlanc will put their design and style skills to the test in a series of DIY challenges in new episodes of Annie vs. Hayley.
“Jayden’s Dance Throwdown” (YouTube; Coming 2019): Dancers from every corner of the Internet are stepping up against Internet sensation Jayden Bartels in a series of epic head-to-head dance-offs. The challengers may be masters of their craft, but they’ll have to adapt and overcome when Nickelodeon throws some serious curveballs into their routines. Who will Nickelodeon fans crown the winner? Find out on “Jayden’s Dance Throwdown.”
“JoJo and BowBow Show Show” Season 2 (YouTube; Coming 2019): JoJo Siwa & Bow Bow are back! Join this pair as they go on brand new animated adventures with a pack of new pals and their furry friends.
“SpongeBob Smarty Pants Game Show” (SpongeBob YouTube Channel, Facebook; Coming 2019): “SpongeBob Smarty Pants” is a digital game show where two SpongeBob superfans compete to win The Golden Pineapple by answering trivia questions, completing messy stunts and competing in SpongeBob-themed games! There will be special live episodes of the show broadcast across Nickelodeon’s social accounts.
“Throw Back with Nickelodeon” (Facebook Watch; Summer 2019): Digital star Anthony Padilla sits down and waxes nostalgic with some of your favorite Nick stars from the past.