MUMBAI: US kids? broadcaster Nickelodeon has announced the first-ever global SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired short film competition, SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes.

SpongeBob fans and filmmakers of all ages from around the world are invited to create SpongeBob-inspired short films for a chance to win a cash prize and trip for four people to a screening event in Hollywood, California.

The call for entries has opened and will run through 28 June. Entries can be submitted in two categories (under 18 years of age, and 18 and over) to www.SpongeBobSquareShorts.com.

Nickelodeon Group CMO Pam Kaufman said, "SpongeBob is a global icon and beloved by people of all ages. We?re excited to launch a competition that lets fans around the world create compelling short films that showcase the positivity and optimism that SpongeBob brings to audiences everywhere."

Films submitted to the SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes competition should be themed around SpongeBob, his world and/or his friends, while celebrating his endearing attributes: humor, overflowing happiness and persistent positivity. The short films can be live-action, animation, stop-motion, etc. and should run no longer than three (3) minutes. Videos will be judged on originality & creativity, incorporation of SpongeBob?s attributes, and overall appeal.

Following the entry period, finalists will be selected by judges, and the top 10 in each of the two categories will be announced on 18 July as finalists. Till 2 August, fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite of the finalists. The winner from each category will be announced in August.

MUMBAI: Infotainment broadcaster Discovery has reported financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2013 which got a boost by the international networks. Revenues increased by seven per cent to $1.1 billion

Adjusted OIBDA decreased to $498 million (up eight per cent excluding licensing agreements and foreign currency). Net income increased by four per cent to $231 million

Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav said, "The significant operating momentum Discovery generated throughout 2012 continued unabated in the first quarter with more and more audiences around the globe viewing our unique programming.

"The sustained investment we have made in developing compelling content, along with the quality of our brands, translated into further market share gains, with record first quarter viewership at our domestic networks and 16 per cent audience growth across our international portfolio. As we continue to invest in the organic growth opportunities our diverse distribution platform provides, we have also completed several strategic acquisitions which we expect will further broaden our asset mix around the world and bolster our long-term growth prospects. 2013 is off to a great start and with continued focus on strong operating execution, we anticipate building on the financial success we have achieved over the last several years while delivering significant shareholder value."

First quarter revenues of $1.1 billion were up by $71 million, or seven per cent, compared to the first quarter a year ago, led by 17 per cent growth at International Networks and one per cent growth at US Networks which included the impact of additional licensing revenues in the prior year. OIBDA declined by two per cent to $498 million, as an eight per cent increase at International Networks was offset by a decrease of five per cent at US Networks due to the additional licensing revenue in last year?s quarter. Excluding the impact of licensing agreements and foreign currency, total company revenues increased by 12 per cent and adjusted OIBDA increased by eight per cent.

First quarter net income of $231 million increased by $10 million compared to $221 million for the first quarter a year ago, primarily due to the underlying operating performance in the current year?s quarter as well as a $92 million gain associated with the consolidation of Discovery Japan and $46 million of improved equity earnings, partially offset by higher taxes, increased mark-to-market equity-based compensation and $59 million of losses from hedging activities primarily associated with the acquisition of the SBS Nordic operations.

Free cash flow was $105 million for the first quarter, a decrease of $122 million from the first quarter of 2012, due to higher content investment as well as increased tax and long-term incentive compensation payments.

MUMBAI: It was shortly after midnight on 2 May 2011 when the search for the world?s most hunted felon finally came to an end.

Now on 28 April at 8 pm infotainment broadcaster Discovery Channel will air the special ?Osama Bin Laden: The Finish?. This is the inside story of one of the biggest and most arduous manhunts in history.

It is based on author Mark Bowden?s research book ?The Finish: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden?- that features an exclusive interview with US President Barack Obama, rare access to the White House and first-hand reporting. The special provides an account of the step-by-step developments that led to finally tracking down the world?s most wanted man.

After masterminding the terrorist attacks against the US on 11 September 2001, Osama bin Laden vanished. Over the course of the next decade, America discovered that its war with al-Qaeda - a scattered group of individuals who were almost impossible to track - required a more innovative approach. The special begins by looking at the tragic 2009 suicide bombing by a Jordanian triple agent which killed 10 people, including Jennifer Matthews, a mother of three and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative leading the hunt for Osama. Through access to military and agency sources, the special takes viewers on the ground where the action unfolded and inside the rooms where high-level decisions were made.

The special has been filmed on location in Jordan, Afghanistan and Pakistan and gives viewers a look at the top-secret strategies employed to complete the mission and President Obama?s campaign promise - to get Osama Bin Laden. The special also sheds light on how intelligence agencies utilise special operations to gather information to find al-Qaeda and Taliban targets.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Comedy Central and Open Road Films have reached an agreement for a film package that includes the first window broadcast premiere of Marlon Wayans? new comedy ?A Haunted House? and Dax Shepard?s ?Hit and Run?, it was announced by Comedy central executive VP, programme strategy and multiplatform programming David Bernath and Open Road Films head of TV sales Rand Stoll.

Bernath said, "We are excited to have formed what we hope to be a lasting partnership with Open Road Films". Stoll stated, "Comedy Central is the perfect home for ?A Haunted House? and ?Hit & Run? and we are thrilled to be in business with them on these and hopefully future titles."

MUMBAI: Actor Josh Duhamel will host for the first time US kids? broadcaster Nickelodeon?s 26th Annual Kids? Choice Awards on 23 March 2013.

It is a kid experience where Hollywood and slime collide, kids rule and honour their favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television. The celebrity-filled show takes place at USC?s Galen Center.

Nickelodeon president, content development Marjorie Cohn, who is also the executive producer of the Kids? Choice Awards, said, "Josh has come out to play before for Kids? Choice and as a previous ?best arm fart? winner we know he?ll do what it takes to be a great host. We promise that this year will deliver the special, one-of-a-kind surprise-filled slimefest for which our annual telecast is famous."

Duhamel said, "Nickelodeon?s Kids? Choice Awards is a great event that celebrates kids by honouring their opinions and taps into the kid in all of us. I have a lot of secret plans for when I host the awards, but I can tell you I?m excited to lead millions of kids into total crazy fun, chaos ...and, of course, endless slime!"

The 2013 Nickelodeon?s Kids? Choice Awards will be seen in more than 350 million households around the world and in more than 25 languages. Within hours of airing live in the US and Canada, the show will roll out internationally, providing kids around the world the opportunity to tune into their local Nickelodeon channel to enjoy the show faster than ever. In many international markets, the show will feature country-specific award categories and nominees, such as Favourite Asian Act and Favourite UK TV Show. Voting for the 2013 KCAs will span over six continents across 16 localised voting sites, giving kids the chance to decide who takes home a blimp.

Presenting sponsors of the show are General Mills, Hasbro Twister Rave Games and Target. Associate sponsors are Bounty, McDonald?s, nabi, Nintendo and Skechers.