Nickelodeon Greenlights Third Season of Newest Animated Hit 'T.U.F.F. Puppy'

Nickelodeon, the number-one kids' brand and largest producer of television animation in the world, has picked up a third season of T.U.F.F. Puppy, the newest hit animated series from Nicktoon hit-maker Butch Hartman (The Fairly OddParents), it was announced today by Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. The network is adding 20 episodes to the series, bringing the total number to 60. T.U.F.F. Puppy, starring iCarly's Jerry Trainor as Dudley, currently ranks as the number-two animated program with kids 2-11, only behind SpongeBob SquarePants.

"Currently our second highest rated animated series, T.U.F.F. Puppy has been a huge success on Saturday mornings right out of the gate, which is no surprise coming from the incredibly talented Butch Hartman, the only creator at Nick with three shows under his belt -- The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom and now T.U.F.F. Puppy," said Johnson. "The show is laugh-out-loud funny in no small part due to iCarly's Jerry Trainor, who brings his incredible comedic sensibility to the role."

"I am truly thrilled to be able to make a brand-new litter of T.U.F.F. Puppy episodes," said Butch Hartman. "I love working on the show and I'm looking forward to expanding the world of Dudley Puppy with more villains, more gadgets, and even some surprises from Dudley and Kitty's past." A hit since its October 2010 premiere, T.U.F.F. Puppy ranks as the number-two animated program on television with kids 2-11 (behind only SpongeBob SquarePants) year to date. The series currently averages 3.6 million total viewers (source: Nielsen Media Research, Live + 7 Day data 12/27/10- 6/19/11, Live + Same Day data thru 7/3/11).

T.U.F.F. Puppy will be launching internationally on Nickelodeon Australia later this month with all other international channels premiering the series in August.

T.U.F.F. Puppy follows Dudley Puppy (voiced by iCarly's Jerry Trainor), a gung-ho, dim-witted dog who finds himself accidentally thrust into the role of secret agent when he's recruited by the supersecret, crime-fighting organization, T.U.F.F. (Turbo Undercover Fighting Force). He partners with Kitty Katswell, a feline superspy who is an amazing kung-fu and weapons expert. Naturally, they don't get along, but together they protect their hometown of Petropolis and the rest of the world against the evil animal organization, D.O.O.M. (Diabolical Order of Mayhem).