TV's Noggin to go 24-hour

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S.-based Noggin is set to ring in the new year as a 24-hour, commercial-free preschool television network.

The Nickelodeon offspring will expand from 12 to 24 hours of educational preschool programming Dec. 31, Noggin said in a statement.

To mark the change, Noggin's Moose and Zee will preside over the network's first prime-time movie marathon on New Year's Eve from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

The lineup includes the premiere of a new 90-minute movie, "Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure," as well as the hourlong "Dora Saves the Mermaids" and the half-hour specials "Save the Wonder Pets!" and "Great Jaguar Rescue."

Noggin has also announced it will premiere "Toot & Puddle," a new 26-episode, animated show based on the best-selling book series by acclaimed children's author and illustrator Holly Hobbie, in the fall of 2008.

"Noggin's expansion into a 24-hour network reinforces Nickelodeon's commitment to preschoolers and their caregivers to be there whenever they need us," said Noggin's Brown Johnson. "We have heard time and time again that offering our entertaining and educational programming during prime-time hours is key for families and their schedules, and we think it's an excellent way to kick off the New Year."