via Nickelodeon press release:

Nickelodeon Greenlights Fourth Season Of Hit Music Comedy Series Big Time Rush

Network Orders 13 Episodes with Production Beginning Q1 2013

NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2012 – As music sensation Big Time Rush crosses the U.S. this summer performing to sold-out audiences and arenas, and with their hit single “Windows Down” climbing the charts, Nickelodeon has ordered a fourth season of their self-titled hit comedy series Big Time Rush.  Created by Scott Fellows and produced in partnership with Sony Music, the series chronicles the adventures of four best friends living the dream in Los Angeles, balancing their newfound fame, fans, music and girlfriends.  Starring Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena and Logan Henderson, Big Time Rush is slated to commence production on 13 episodes early 2013 in Los Angeles.

The band’s summer anthem “Windows Down,” sparked by their strongest first week sales to date, is trending to be their biggest hit yet at radio, digital sales providers and online, with their music video approaching nearly three million views.  “Windows Down” will be Big Time Rush’s third consecutive charted single at Pop radio.  The “Big Time Summer Tour” has the band entertaining fans in 60 cities, making appearances across the U.S., Canada and South America.  Their debut, gold-certified BTR and follow-up album Elevate, both entered the Billboard charts in the top 15 and currently total over 1.25 million albums sold worldwide and 3.5 million singles in the U.S.

REDMOND, Wash.– (BUSINESS WIRE)– Throughout the summer, Big Time Rush—the teen music phenomenon that stars in Nickelodeon’s hit television series Big Time Rush—is working with Nintendo to offer free hands-on demos of Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS system at select stops during the band’s “Big Time Summer Tour.” After weeks of rehearsal and hours of game-play time, the band kicked off the tour on July 5 in Columbus, Ohio, and is currently traveling throughout the United States. From now until Aug. 5, attendees of select Big Time Rush concerts can visit Nintendo 3DS demo stations and experience the game’s wild Mario-themed action, multiplayer features and kart customization options firsthand.

A Mario Kart 7 sampling station and mobile sampling teams will be available at participating concert venues, giving fans a unique chance to play the game, enjoy special photo opportunities and compete for prizes. Fans will also be able to download Mii characters based on the members of Big Time Rush—Kendall, Logan, James and Carlos. Additionally, fans who bring their own Nintendo 3DS systems to the concerts will be able to wirelessly access content for Nintendo 3DS via Nintendo Zone hotspots. Additionally, viewers can currently see Big Time Rush in the television ad campaign for Mario Kart 7.

“Big Time Rush fans will discover a new kind of rush when they tear up the track with Mario,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “The frenetic fun of Mario Kart 7 makes a great match with the band’s energetic music. The chance to get hands-on with Nintendo 3DS will make each of these concerts even more memorable for attendees, whether they’re experienced gamers or newcomers.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to take Mario Kart 7 out on the road for our tour this summer,” said Big Time Rush. “We are all huge Nintendo fans and our new partnership provides a cool way to share the fun of Nintendo 3DS with people all over the country.”

Mario Kart 7 is the latest installment in Nintendo’s fan-favorite racing franchise, loaded with new customizable karts, new courses and multiplayer options that let up to eight Nintendo 3DS owners race together wirelessly. Players can race as a favorite Mushroom Kingdom character or as their personal Mii character, and for the first time in the series, they can race not only on land but also underwater or in the air. The game also makes use of the unique capabilities of Nintendo 3DS with access to StreetPass and SpotPass* content and the ability to play in full 3D without the need for special glasses.

Mario Kart 7 demo stations will be available at the following Big Time Rush tour dates (subject to change):

• July 25: Salt Lake City – USANA Amphitheatre Energy Solutions Arena
  
• July 27: Kansas City, Mo. – Sprint Center
  
• July 28: Minneapolis – Target Center
  
• July 29: Indianapolis – Klipsch Music Center
  
• July 31: Clarkston, Mich. – DTE Energy Music Theatre
  
• Aug. 1: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – Blossom Music Center
  
• Aug. 3: Louisville, Ky. – KFC Yum! Center
  
• Aug. 4: Tinley Park, Ill. – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
  
• Aug. 5: Burgettstown, Pa. – First Niagara Pavilion

The launch of the hit Big Time Rush series on Nickelodeon drew 6.8 million viewers, making it the most watched live-action series premiere in the network’s history. Now in its third season, Big Time Rush—which follows four best friends from Minnesota who trade in their hockey sticks for music superstardom in Los Angeles—averages 3.6 million total viewers per episode (+2 percent, over season one).

Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

For more information about Mario Kart 7, visit http://mariokart7.nintendo.com. Additional information about Big Time Rush, including tour details and music videos, can be found at http://www.btrband.com.

Via Nintendo Press Release:

Concertgoers to Enjoy Hands-On Game Play with for Nintendo 3DS at Big Time Rush Tour Stops Across the Nation

REDMOND, Wash., June 18, 2012 – This summer, Nickelodeon's teen music phenomenon Big Time Rush is sharing its excitement about Nintendo's Mario Kart 7 game in a big way, giving fans from coast to coast a chance to join Mario and his Mushroom Kingdom friends for new kart-racing fun on land, in the air and under the sea. Known as the stars of Nickelodeon's hit television series Big Time Rush, the band is teaming up with Nintendo to offer free hands-on demos of Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS system on its upcoming U.S. tour, "Big Time Summer Tour". From July 5 to Aug. 5, attendees at select Big Time Rush concerts can visit Nintendo 3DS demo stations and experience the game's wild Mario-themed action, multiplayer features and kart customization options firsthand.