Nickelodeon orders more 'Dora,' 'Olivia'

NEW YORK, March 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. cable network Nickelodeon says it has ordered more than 100 new episodes of several popular animated preschool series.

Fresh installments of the established animated shows "Bubble Guppies," "Dora the Explorer," "Team Umizoomi," "The Fresh Beat Band," "Yo Gabba Gabba!," "Max & Ruby" and "Olivia" are to air during the 2011-2012 television season. Also on the lineup is the debut of the series "The Tales of Peter Rabbit."

"Over the years, our preschool shows have introduced a wide range of educational concepts, from Spanish and Mandarin language and culture to mathematics and music," Brown Johnson, president of animation for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids & Family Group, said in a statement. "All have found that magic mix of educating and entertaining our audience, and we're excited to continue creating content with great storytelling, that delivers on our commitment to give kids and parents what they really want."