Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender Kicks Off Action-Packed Week of Premieres Beginning Monday, July 14, Culminating with Stunning Two-Hour TV Movie 'Sozin's Comet' Saturday, July 19

NEW YORK (Map) - NEW YORK, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- After Aang's unsuccessful attack against the fierce Firelord Ozai during the Day of Black Sun, he will finally face his mortal enemy and seal his destiny in a riveting, two-hour Avatar television movie premiering Saturday, July 19 from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. "Sozin's Comet" is the culmination of a week of new episodes, which will begin to roll out on Monday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) and conclude with Aang's ultimate battle.

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"Since its premiere, Avatar's captivating storylines and compelling characters have kept fans on the edge of their seats," said Brown Johnson, President, Animation, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. "The remainder of Book Three is full of surprises and plot twists, and we're excited to be bringing fans the event they've been waiting for -- the final face-off between Aang and the Firelord."

The Avatar premiere week kicks off with "Western Air Temple" on Monday, July 14 after the Avatar and the gang flee from the failed invasion of the Fire Nation. Reeling from defeat and having left so many behind, the group hides in the Western Air Temple to devise a new plan. They are displeased to find someone unexpected when they arrive, even though they are in need of assistance.

Book Three culminates with a two-hour movie, "Sozin's Comet," on Saturday, July 19 when Aang's struggle with firebending becomes urgent as he learns he must confront the Firelord earlier than planned. Aang prepares mentally and physically for the attack as the comet nears, but when he finally faces the Firelord, will he have the heart to take his life?

The remaining 10 episodes of Book Three will roll out in one action-packed week:

Launched in February 2005, Avatar aired the first half of its third season in 4Q07 and reached over 7 million total monthly viewers (persons 2+), including 3.3 million kids 2-11, 2.4 million kids 6-11 and 2.1 million tweens 9-14*. Avatar was one of the top 5 animated-series on all of TV among boys 9-14 in 4Q07. Among boys 2-11 and boys 6-11, the series was one of the top 10 animated-series on all of TV in 4Q07. (Source: *NMR, November 2007 Cume).

The hit animated television series Avatar has inspired the live-action epic adventure "M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender" from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, which will arrive in theaters July 2010. Series creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko will serve as executive producers.

A dedicated Avatar site will feature the new Game of the Week "Rise of the Phoenix" where Aang goes one-on-one with the Phoenix King, an Avatar game Tournament for Avatar gamers to go head-to-head, polls, trivia challenges, fun facts, as well as additional exclusive content.

Viewers can catch up on Aang's epic journey by tuning into Nicktoons Network for mini marathons of Avatar each day beginning Monday, July 14 through Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m. The series will roll out in succession, starting on Monday with the series premiere and will culminate with a Nicktoons Network encore of the two-hour TV movie, "Sozin's Comet," on Sunday, July 20 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Available on DVD July 29, Avatar: The Last Airbender - Book 3: Fire -- Volume 4 sees the kid heroes return to the Fire Nation to prepare for their final confrontation with Firelord Ozai. They soon discover that the Firelord has plans of his own. Featuring the spectacular four-part conclusion, the DVD also includes audio commentary from the series' creators, cast and crew, as well as an exclusive mini comic book.

The epic story of Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the journey of Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), a young boy torn between fulfilling his fate as the long-awaited Avatar and just wanting to be a regular kid. Aang is called upon to lead the fight against the vicious Fire Nation to restore balance in his war-torn world. Aided by a protective teenage Waterbender named Katara (Mae Whitman) and her bull-headed warrior brother Sokka (Jack DeSena), Aang proceeds on a perilous journey to save the world while sometimes shaking off his heavy responsibilities so that he can enjoy being a kid.

Avatar: The Last Airbender was created by Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko who also serve as executive producers. The series is produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif.

Nickelodeon, now in its 29th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 96 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than 13 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).