Beijing/Hong Kong – Nickelodeon’s animated series SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS made a strong comeback to China Central Television (CCTV) Kids Channel ranking as No. 1 across all children/teenage programs/channels in 15 key cities reaching 20.5 million of home viewers. Telecast across CCTV kids channels since 25 December 2008 at 9pm, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS bowled-out all cartoon programs, finishing No. 1 among kids aged 4 -14 (according to CSM Media Research, 25 December 2008 – 4 February 2009). 45 per cent of SPONGEBOB’s audiences are aged 4 – 14, with 25 – 44 year old viewers following not far behind at 33 percent. Measuring 15 key cities across the country, the top cities tuning into the popular yellow sponge are Xi’an (with the highest average rating of 11.1), followed by Fuzhou (average rating of 6.09), Wuhan (average rating of 5.92), Tianjin (average rating of 5.38) and Shenyang (average rating of 5.22) and Chengdu (average rating of 5.21). SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS first aired in China on CCTV in 2006 with success in ratings within the 4 -14 and 25 – 44 age groups. It was also shown from September to December 2007.