Nickelodeon channels double the pleasure

Starting today, everyone’s Noggin is going to get a whole lot bigger.

The commercial-free cable network aimed at preschoolers, with shows such as “Jack’s Big Music Show,” “Oobi” and “The Upside Down Show,” expands from 12 to 24 hours. Simultaneously, the teen-oriented network the N, home of the popular “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” also will expand from a 12-hour schedule to 24 hours.

Noggin will remain commercial-free in its current channel position, but the N will move to a different channel depending on individual cable and satellite systems. Until this week, both Nickelodeon networks have shared the same channel.

Noggin General Manager Brown Johnson said the expansion of the network came after network research indicated parents of preschoolers wanted Noggin full time, beyond its current 6 a.m.-to-6 p.m. airtime.

“Parents are going to like the fact that it’s on in prime time,” Johnson said.

Sarah Tomassi Lindman, general manager of the N, said the network’s teenage viewers tend to be more technologically savvy and should be able to find its new location quickly.

Still, she said, “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was somewhat envious of my colleagues at Noggin who don’t have to worry about that particular hurdle.”

With 12 more hours of programming to fill on each network, both Noggin and the N will rely on the expansive Nickelodeon library available to them.

Noggin will introduce a show in the fall called “Toot & Puddle,” which is based on the children’s book by Holly Hobbie.

The N plans to roll out three original shows in 2008 -- “Queen Bees,” “The Assistants” and “The N’s Student Body” -- as well as reruns of two newly acquired series, “Saved by the Bell” and “That ‘70s Show.”