Nick Jr./2003-2004

In 2002, Nick Jr. began excising the usage of idents, following a rebrand of their on-air look the previous year, and focused mainly on their Face segments and other interstitial/pre-show bumpers. September 1, 2003 saw a re-design of Face and another re-branding of their image, as well as new idents.

Frogs (September 1, 2003-October 8, 2004 (TV); January 27, 2004-January 15, 2008 (DVD))

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Visuals: In a swamp are three lily pads (the back two have lotuses on them). A orange frog and a small blue frog hop on the lily pads until they stop hopping on the front lily pad. The orange frog croaks three times before pausing for 1 second. Then the blue frog croaks loudly while the orange frog has a liney and wavy scared look on its face. The two frogs then smile at each other while "NICK" fades in on the orange frog while "JR." fades on the blue frog.

Trivia: This would later become the basis of the 3rd Nick Jr. Home Video Opening ID.

Variants:

• Two short versions exist: One where the frogs are already on the lily pads (and way smaller) and shrink to the bottom right corner after the logo forms. The animation is unchanged.
  • In both versions, the frogs continue to move when "NICK" and "JR." fade in, to the point where the words overlap both of the frogs' mouths. Also, another blue frog can be seen behind the blue one when it croaks.
  • There is also another version where the water is dark blue and it starts at the frog croaking.
  • A shorter version is seen on VHS, where it ends when the logo forms (cutting out the bottom right corner part).

Technique: 2D Flash animation.

Audio: Bouncing sound effects, the frogs croaking (the orange's one is changed in the short version), and a synth pad (which was the channel's "theme" between September 1, 2003 and October 8, 2004). Sometimes, a male announcer says "There's more Nick Jr. hopping your way right after this!"

Availability: The DVD version is seen on many Nick Jr. DVDs from 2004 to 2007, it made a surprise appearance on the Dora the Explorer DVD "Undercover Dora". After 2007, Nickelodeon used their "Fish" ID until they changed their logo in 2009.

Crocodiles (September 1, 2003-October 8, 2004)

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Visuals: In a swamp, a blue crocodile swim in the water. It climbs up a rock and onto the head of an orange crocodile. The blue one hops off, and the two crocodiles smile at each other as the words "NICK" and "JR." fade in on them.

Technique: Simple animation.

Audio: A glissando, then a synth pad note when the crocodiles smile at each other. Sometimes, a female announcer says "There's more Nick Jr. coming up, and up, and up!"

Mice (September 1, 2003-October 8, 2004)

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Visuals: In a mouse house, some cheese and a little blue mouse are seen. Then an orange mouse appears, and they both lay the cheese down and eat it. The words "NICK" and "JR." fade in on them and the orange mouse hiccups.

Variant: A short version exists, starting with the mice eating the cheese. The logo fades in and the orange mouse hiccups, then it zooms to the bottom right corner and fades to a "Nick Jr. Play Along" interstitial.

Technique: Simple animation.

Audio: A 5-note theme with a "SQUEAK" sound at the end. Sometimes, a female announcer says "Don’t roll away, There's more ahead, on Nick Jr.!"

Octopi (September 1, 2003-October 8, 2004)

Visuals: In an ocean is an orange octopus. Then, a blue octopus appears, and they both position. The words "NICK" and "JR." fade in on them.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A synth pad. Sometimes, a female announcer says "There's more Nick Jr. coming up right after this!"

Cats (September 1, 2003-October 8, 2004)

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Visuals: In a backyard, a blue kitten and an orange cat, walk through the backyard. They sit down and meow as the logo fades in.

Technique: Simple animation.

Audio: The cats meowing the "Where I Play Along" jingle. Sometimes, a female announcer says "We'll be right back with more Nick Jr.!"

Robots (September 1, 2003-October 8, 2004)

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Visuals: In a football game are 2 robots, one orange and one blue. The blue robot is looking at a football while the orange robot cheers. The blue robot tries to throw it and scores, as the orange robot hops to him and throws the football. The football bounces, then the orange robot gives the blue robot a hug, and the logo fades in on them.

Trivia: This was originally used as a station ID and a break bumper.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A crowd cheering, 8-bit chiptune music, some kids cheering and a Disney-esque "boing". Sometimes, a robot voice says "There is more Nick Jr. coming up after this."

Ladybugs (September 1, 2003-October 8, 2004)

Visuals: On the leaves there are 2 ladybugs, one orange and one blue. They crawl around the leaves and when they position together, the logo fades in on them.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: Crawling sounds. Sometimes, a male announcer says "There’s more Nick Jr. coming your way."

Final Note

On October 8, 2004, Nick Jr. dropped this set of bumpers as well as Face, in favor of the new mascot Piper O'Possum.