Noggin Goes Dark for Worldwide Day of Play, Saturday, September 27

Call it counter-programming with a purpose.

Nickelodeon and all its affiliated stations and websites -- Nickelodeon, The N, Noggin, Nicktoons Network, Nick.com, Noggin.com, Nicktoonsnetwork.com and The-N.com -- will all "go dark" on Saturday, September 27 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ET/PT) for its annual "Worldwide Day of Play." The goal of the day is to make more kids aware of childhood obesity and to encourage them go outside and be active as a family. Families are encouraged to go online and register their own planned event or to sign up for something in their area.

This is the first time that all of the group's TV properties and related web sites will go off the air and offline.

Nickelodeon estimates that more than 250,000 kids in 10 different countries will participate in the fifth annual Play Day, and that more than 1,000 local events worldwide will be held. Nickelodeon will return to the air at 3 p.m. (ET/PT) with healthy messaging, all-new programming, and the finale of the extreme sports competition, My Family's Got GUTS!, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

Noggin, Nickelodeon's 24-hour preschool network, will go dark at noon (ET/PT) with favorite preschool characters Moose and Zee encouraging the little ones to get up and active.

"Our annual Worldwide Day of Play has encouraged millions of kids all over the world to be active," said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group. "We are making our biggest commitment yet this year, utilizing all of our media assets and strong partnerships. This day truly exemplifies how kids and families can take charge of their health by taking time to be active together."

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