MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Nickelodeon and US telecom service provider Verizon have announced an interactive widget that allows viewers to play SpongeBob SquarePants-themed games while watching Nickelodeon shows.

Exclusive to subscribers with both Verizon Fiox TV and Internet, the widget delivers a series of four games that can be downloaded for free from Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, and the Verizon Fios TV Application Storefront.

MTV Networks VP of strategy and business operations, content distribution and marketing Peter Dolchin said, "Verizon is a fantastic partner and the SpongeBob SquarePants games widget is a great opportunity for us to provide single-screen interactive entertainment for their customers. This innovative platform allows fans to further engage with one of their favorite characters in a way that complements their Nickelodeon viewing experience." 
 
Subscribers can access the free widget by tuning in to Nickelodeon or Nicktoons and clicking the ‘Fios TV‘ button on the remote control when the interactive bug appears. Once opened, the games appear on the left-hand side of the screen and customers can choose from the list.

Customers can also play the games any time by clicking on the ‘Widgets‘ button on the Fios TV remote control, selecting ‘Fiox TV Widgets‘ and selecting the Nick Games icon under the featured category. Subscribers can select from among the four available SpongeBob games. All game play is controlled using the directional keys on the Fios TV remote.

Verizon VP of content and programming Terry Denson said, "Verizon‘s advanced networks deliver the connected technologies that have become essential to people‘s lives. We are excited to partner with Nickelodeon and offer the first branded kids games, exclusive to FiOS TV customers."
     
SpongeBob SquarePants widget games include:

• Build-a-Bob- This allows viewers to create their own new and unique SpongeBob characters by choosing from a selection of features and body parts of show characters.
• "SpongeBob ShufflePants" - This is a puzzle game that requires rearranging the sequence of shuffled image columns or "slices" until the proper sequence is obtained.
• "Under My Rock" - This challenges users to find visual duplicates or matches among several image tiles of SpongeBob-themed icons.
• "X Marks the Spot" - This is a nautical Tic-Tac-Toe game that can be played versus the TV or in two-player mode with two degrees of difficulty.

Nickelodeon worked with Ensequence, an interactive