NickSports On September 3, 2014, a two-hour Wednesday prime time programming block named NickSports was launched on the channel, tying into the Kids' Choice Sports inaugurated that year. The block presented mainly licensed programming focusing on sports, including the Rob Dyrdek-starring Wild Grinders and NFL Rush Zone: Guardians of the Core, along with sports-related feature films such as Bend It Like Beckham, Cool Runnings, and Space Jam. Sometime in 2015, the block was moved to a Friday prime time slot. The block ended in September 2018. International versions Active channels United States – launched on May 1, 2002 UK and Ireland – launched on July 22, 2002 Netherlands – launched in 2007 Germany – launched in March 2010 Africa – launched on September 30, 2014 Scandinavia – launched on February 1, 2017 Arabia – launched on February 15, 2017 Turkey – launched on February 20, 2017 Poland – launched on 15 February 2018 Hungary and Romania – launched on 15 April 2019 Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Albania - launched on 14 July 2020 Defunct channels France – launched on January 1, 2003, as a programming block on Canal J, rebranded as N-Toons on October 21, 2011, and closed down on July 31, 2015 Latin America – launched on February 4, 2013, and closed down in late 2020, being replaced in major cable providers by the US feed of NickMusic Russia – launched on December 12, 2018, and closed down on April 28, 2022. Mascot From 2006 until 2009, Nicktoons Network used a robot mascot in bumpers and advertisements for the channel. The mascot, named "ACOW," which stands for Animation Capital of the World, was a complex robot character with a large singular eye, animated using "photo-puppetry." ACOW was prominently featured on the NicktoonsNetwork.com website and was used as part of the "Nicktoons Network: Animation Capital of the World" logo. Several similar-looking eyeball-based characters were seen in promos for the network. See also Nick Jr. (block) Noggin N-Toons Nicktoonsters Nick Rewind References External links 2016 Decider's Oral History of "Nicktoons" interviews with cast and crew Nicktoons (TV network) 2002 establishments in the United States Children's television networks in the United States English-language television stations in the United States Television channels and stations established in 2002 Television networks in the United States no:Nickelodeon