Nickelodeon greenlights SpongeBob spin-off

SpongeBob SquarePants is exec produced by Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller

US kids’ pay TV channel Nickelodeon has greenlit Kamp Koral (working title), a spin-off series to SpongeBob SquarePants.

The CG-animated 13-episode series introduces 10-year-old SpongeBob during his summer at “the craziest camp in the kelp forest,” Kamp Koral, where he and his friends build underwater campfires, catch wild jellyfish and swim in Lake Yuckymuck.

Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller, who currently exec produce the original SpongeBob SquarePants series, will also exec produce the spin-off. It is slated to begin production in June.

“SpongeBob has an incredible universe to expand upon and the greenlight for Kamp Koral is a testament to the strength and longevity of these characters known and loved by generations of fans around the world,” said Ramsey Naito, exec VP of animation production and development at Nickelodeon.

In related news, Nickelodeon has renewed four series from its Powerhouse preschool portfolio, Paw Patrol, Bubble Guppies, Abby Hatcher and Butterbean’s Cafe, which are returning for their seventh, fifth and second seasons respectively.

The new seasons of Paw Patrol, Bubble Guppies and Abby Hatcher comprise 26 half-hour episodes. The new run of Butterbean’s Cafe has 20 half-hour episodes.