After striking a high-level deal with Nickelodeon, Netflix hasn’t lost time to make use of it. Reports indicate Netflix is in the first few stages of production of a SpongeBob Squarepants, that is said to be a “music-based project” focused on Squidward, the octopus that is the neighbor of SpongeBob.
The show is part of the recent multi-year deal between Nick and Netflix, which is estimated to be of $200 million. The deal meant Nickelodeon will produce new original films and shows on existing and new characters and shows, and Squidward’s spinoff seems to be the first of them.
Even as this may be the first show announced from the new deal, Nick and Netflix’s relationship goes way back. Netflix had acquired a couple of TV feature specials from Rocko’s Modern Life and Invader Zim, called Static Cling and Enter the Florpus, respectively. A few weeks ago, Netflix added to its content library some Nickelodeon originals, such as Victorious, and Sam & Cat.
But considering Nickelodeon deals with Amazon and Hulu, that means that many beloved shows from Nick won’t appear on Netflix for some time. For example, ‘Drake and Josh’ is on Hulu and the original seasons of SpongeBob are in Amazon Prime Video.
Still, the deal is key for Netflix considering the launch of Disney+ who has a big advantage in animated and kids content; and HBO Max who is betting hard to offer quality animated content.
It seems streaming wars won’t end anytime soon.