Nickelodeon Upfront: What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time Nick was still smarting from a ratings pummeling. This year, thanks to 13 months of year over year growth, the net is prancing into the new season with a slate that includes 100-plus hours of new preschool programming, a fresh approach to animation, lots of new live-action, the launch of the Nick Jr. App and the establishment of a new event franchise, the Kids Sports Choice awards. Noting that 70% of the Nick audience is post-millennial, network topper Cyma Zarghami told CynKids privately yesterday, “We’ve gotten to know this audience and are creating content for them. We’ve taken the company and are galvanized around this viewer.” Content chief Russell Hicks’ move to LA and “mission to get more, better, faster content is now paying off.” The Upfront included a performance by recording artist Sara Bareilles and an appearance by former NFL star Michael Strahan, who’s hosting the net’s new Kids Choice Sports awards. A visibly jazzed Strahan told the crowd, “My personal mission is to get the best talent” for the event. “There are definitely some people I’d like to see slimed.”

Here’s what you need to know from yesterday’s Upfront:

Preschool Programming: More than 100 hours of new content is in the works, including…

– Dora and Friends: Into the City! (20 eps) –The spinoff finds now 10-year-old Dora in new adventures, with new friends and a new interactive curriculum. The series helps teach Spanish and introduces new educational areas, including social-emotional skills like community service and peer relationships. Created by Chris Gifford and Valerie Walsh Valdes (Dora the Explorer), launching in late summer on Nickelodeon.

– Blaze and the Monster Machines (20 eps) –CG-animated series debuts this fall with a focus on all areas of STEM through the adventures of 8-year-old AJ and his incredible monster truck Blaze. Created by Jeff Borkin (Team Umizoomi, Blue’s Clues) and Ellen Martin (Bubble Guppies, The Backyardigans).

– Shimmer & Shine (20 eps) –Series follows the magical adventures of fraternal twin genies, Shimmer and Shine, who unintentionally create chaos while attempting to grant wishes for their human best friend, Leah. Series, set to premiere in 2015, is created by Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz and produced at Nickelodeon Animation Studios.

– Fresh Beat Band of Spies (20 eps) – New animated series based on the hit live-action show positions the four best friends in the pop band — Kiki, Marina, Twist and Shout – as a group of undercover spies. Created by Nadine van der Velde and Scott Kraft, the duo behind The Fresh Beat Band, and set to premiere on Nick in 2015.

Live-action: Nick’s Saturday night comedies, which are up 41%, “ultimately end up fueling the Monday through Friday viewing,” Zarghami tells us.

–       Henry Danger (20 eps): Crime-fighting comedy, created and written by Dan Schneider (Sam & Cat, iCarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh) and Dana Olsen (George of the Jungle, Inspector Gadget), follows a 13-year-old who lands a part-time job as a sidekick-in-training to super crime fighter Captain Man.

–       Bella and the Bullfrogs (12 eps): Series follows a perky head cheerleader whose life in Texas takes an unexpected twist when she becomes the new quarterback for her school team. Written by Gabriel Garza and Jonathan Butler (The Haunted Hathaways, Fanboy & Chum Chum), who were discovered through the Nickelodeon Writing Program. Jeff Bushell serves as exec producer.

– Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn (13 eps): The story of a 10-year-old girl whose sibling rivalry with her three brothers is heightened by the fact that they are quadruplets. Created by Matt Fleckenstein (Wendell & Vinnie, iCarly, Victorious) and executive produced by Fleckenstein and Michael Feldman (See Dad Run).

More Animation: With SpongeBob holding strong and newcomers Sanjay & Craig and Breadwinners beginning to gain audience share, Nick has a bevvy of new animated series.

–       Bad Seeds – Harvey, a sweet and well-meaning bird, makes two new best friends, Fee and Foo, the wildest imps in the forest. Created, written and directed by C.H. Greenblatt (SpongeBob SquarePants, Chowder).

–       Pig Goat Banana Cricket – This show features a series of absurd interwoven stories about four friends and roommates, Pig (the fool), Goat (the artist), Banana (the wise-guy) and Cricket (the brain).  Series is created by Dave Cooper and J. Ryan, and executive produced by David Sacks (The Simpsons).

–       Welcome to the Wayne – Launching on the Nick App, this an animated comedy following the adventures of two 10-year-old boys was created and written by Billy Lopez (The Wonder Pets!).

Kids’ Choice Sports: With 26 years of KCAs under its belt, Nick is expanding its awards event game with the Kids’ Choice Sports, debuting July 17 with host/exec producer Michael Strahan.