Throwback to the 90s with The Splat on TeenNick

Leo Rocha, Staff Writer

On Oct. 5, 90s Nickelodeon was brought back to television. A new programming block called The Splat has found its home on TeenNick, airing every night from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The 90s was a groundbreaking era for children’s television programming, where many beloved shows first premiered such as Hey Arnold, Rugrats and All That.

The Splat marks the return of numerous Nickelodeon cartoons, or Nicktoons, such as Ren & Stimpy, CatDog and Rocket Power. While there was already a programming block similar to The Splat airing on TeenNick called The 90s Are All That, The Splat has a longer running time, a larger library of programs and actually mimics the same airing schedule that occurred in the 90s.

The Splat has an online presence as well, making it different from previous attempts to revitalize old programming. Nickelodeon executives were inspired to make The Splat largely due the Internet and its love for 90s nostalgia. They have set up seven different social media accounts in order to further involve the viewers. On the official Splat website, the audience is able to vote for shows that will be aired later in the day. Many shows from the Nickelodeon vault are up for grabs as long as enough people want to see them.

Along with a website, The Splat has also released a keyboard for iPhones containing GIFs and emoticons of old Nickelodeon shows, tying together the multi-screen experience.

Not only are old shows back, but so are old promotional videos and stunts like Nick-or-Treat, U-Pick, and Super Toy Run. Nick-or-Treat allowed viewers to call in during the Halloween season and win prizes. Super Toy Run took place at Toys-R-Us, where the chosen winner had a certain amount of time to pick up any toys of their choosing. U-Pick gave the audience the power to determine the network’s programming schedule. With these nostalgic additions, fans of the network are able to relive their 90s experience as though it was just yesterday.

Nickelodeon personalities from the 90s are also making special appearances during promotional segments, like Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell and previous cast members of All That.

As more and more children rely on instant streaming websites such as Netflix or Hulu for entertainment, Nickelodeon is setting a precedent by shifting their target audience to millennials who were born in the 90s and are now adults. At a time when 90s nostalgia is prevalent, The Splat has satisfied those who have missed the carefree days of being a child. Catch up on your old favorites and enjoy this throwback.