SpongeBob SquarePants is an Emmy-nominate American animated television series and media franchise. It is one of Nickelodeon's Nicktoons and is currently the most watched show on the channel. In 2007, it was named by TIME as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Although its original network is Nickelodeon, SpongeBob is now broadcast across the world. It was created by artist, animator, and former marine biologist, Stephen Hillenburg, and is produced through his production company, United Plankton Pictures, Inc.