Innovative interface design for Nickelodeon’s Video Platform
TurboNick 2.0 not only provided a hub for the vast library of content but allowed kids to become ‘programmers’ and ‘creators’ in their own right.
Overview video showing TurboNick’s user experience design:
TurboNick a streamer pioneer and ahead of its time
2007, Nickelodeon launched TurboNick 2.0, a broadband video platform that revolutionized the children’s entertainment industry. Its innovative kid-friendly design allowed kids to take control of their video experience through interactive features such as mashups, live streaming, real-time simulcasts, user-generated content, karaoke, interactive games, and massive multiplayer games. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into Nickelodeon’s TurboNick user experience design and explore how it impacted the children’s entertainment industry.
TurboNick huge success at launch
TurboNick 2.0 was a huge success at its initial soft launch. The platform generated close to 19 million content streams, an increase of +911% versus the previous year’s equivalent time period. This was almost 10 times the amount of streams for the same time period in 2005. The platform also averaged 236,000 daily unique visitors, a +489% increase over the previous year (source: Omniture SiteCatalyst).
One of the key features of TurboNick 2.0 was its ability to provide continuous video streaming. This allowed kids to watch their favorite shows without any interruptions or buffering. They could also create customized playlists, search the broad Nickelodeon content library, and access content in multiple languages. The user-friendly design of TurboNick 2.0 put kids in control of their video experience and allowed them to navigate through the platform with ease.
Interactive features on the TurboNick platform
Another standout feature of TurboNick 2.0 was its focus on interactive elements. Kids could create their own mashups, share their own content, participate in live streams, play karaoke, and engage in massive multiplayer games. This gamification of the video platform made it more immersive and engaging for kids, creating a more loyal user base. It also allowed Nickelodeon to tap into the growing trend of interactive media consumption, especially among children.
TurboNick 2.0 also introduced real-time simulcasts, which meant that kids could watch events like the Kids’ Choice Awards in real-time. This made the platform even more interactive and allowed kids to feel like they were part of the event. By allowing kids to engage with Nickelodeon’s programming in real-time, the platform created a deeper emotional connection between the kids and the brand.
A streaming game changer
Nickelodeon’s TurboNick user experience design was a game-changer in the children’s entertainment industry. Its focus on interactivity, gamification, and user-friendly design put kids in control of their own video experience. The platform’s innovative features such as continuous video streaming, customized playlists, and real-time simulcasts pushed the envelope in terms of what was possible in the industry. The streamer quickly expanded it’s reach on partner platforms. TurboNick was a launch partner of Microsoft Windows Vista. TurboNick’s success is a testament to the power of user-centered design and the importance of creating engaging interactive experiences. As designers and digital marketers, there is much that we can learn from TurboNick’s user experience design, especially in terms of catering to the needs and preferences of our target audience.