If you thought you were finally getting the tune of "Baby Shark" out of your head, I've got one thing to say to you right now: HA. HA. HA. Nice try — but it ain't happening any time soon. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Nickelodeon is in talks to develop the viral hit into a TV series, which is awesome for kids and yeah, perhaps not so awesome for parents.
The internet craze, which first hit YouTube in late 2015, has racked up more video views to date than most of us ever thought possible.
"With music, characters, story and dance all combined together, 'Baby Shark' took the world by storm, amassing 2.9 billion YouTube views and becoming the ninth most-watched video in the platform’s history," Nickelodeon noted in a press release obtained by the Hollywood Reporter.
It's been so popular, in fact, that it boasts a 20-week streak on the Billboard Hot 100 list and even led to the #BabySharkChallenge, which basically involved fans re-creating the original video on their own. That, in turn, led to 700,000 fan videos worldwide.
And if that isn't a serious viral sensation, I don't know what is.
But I don't need to tell you this -- chances are, you've seen the craze firsthand.
You've hard the song on repeat — as your kids sing along, emphatically — while driving them to and from school, while making dinner, while attempting to get work done, and nearly banging your head against the wall.
You've probably been the one pressing "play" for them, too, because you've even sung those doo do doo do doos over and over yourself. Sometimes, you might have even enjoyed it.
The point is, the "Baby Shark" craze is real, and it is clearly here to stay.
Nickelodeon is teaming up with SmartStudy, the entertainment company behind Pinkfong, to create the series, which has young fans pretty psyched.
And Viacom, Nickelodeon's parent company, is more than happy to deliver.
According to Pam Kaufman, president of Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products, "Baby Shark" is "a multi-platform phenomenon, and appetite for more content and products is strong around the world."
“Our outstanding creative teams are moving fast to get more 'Baby Shark' product across multiple categories to retailers," she continued, "and our content team is excited to develop a terrific original animated series that will bring this property to new heights and even more fans.”
Back in January, there were rumors that the series was going to Netflix, but it seems that either they were just that — rumors — or Nickelodeon may have won out in a bidding war. No word yet on when the series will hit TV screens, but here's hoping it comes sooner, rather than later, so the kids who love it now won't be too old by the time it arrives.
Then again, what am I saying? This thing is converting a whole new generation of "Baby Shark" fans, so I guess no matter what, it'll be a hit. (In related news, my condolences to parents everywhere.)
