Nickelodeon USA acquires rights to "Dance Academy" and Third season of "H2O" from ZDF Enterprises

Produced by Australia's Werner Productions in coproduction with ZDF, ZDF Enterprises, ABC and ACTF, "Dance Academy" (52 x 26') follows the adventures of young student dancer Tara Webster (Xenia Goodwin) and her friends as they pursue their dream of becoming professional dancers. They're all students at the prestigious National Academy of Dance, the country's best dancing school. And they're all determined to make it in the highly competitive world of dance. What they weren't expecting, however, are the incredible physical and psychological demands made on them.

"The elements of music, dance and competition, combined with the ups and downs of teen life, make 'Dance Academy' a fresh and relevant addition to TeenNick's lineup," says Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Nicktoons and TeenNick.

TeenNick is premiering the first episode of "Dance Academy" on Monday, 20 February at 9:30 p.m. (ET), after which it will be airing one episode a week every Friday at 9:30 p.m. (ET).

TeenNick, which is available in more than 71 million homes, also acquired the rights to the third season of another Australian series, the hit teen series from Jonathan M. Shiff "H2O - Just Add Water." The live-action magical mermaid adventure is shot on location in the Gold Coast Region of Queensland, Australia. H2O centers on Rikki, Emma and Cleo, three girls who are ordinary teens on land but extraordinary teen mermaids with magical powers under the sea. With the ability to freeze, boil and manipulate water at any time, these mermaids discover that the world is truly their oyster.