SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series and media franchise. It is currently one of Nickelodeon's and Nicktoons Network's most-watched show. In 2007, TIME named it one of the greatest television shows of all time. Although its original network is Nickelodeon, SpongeBob is now broadcast around 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. It is the second longest-running Nicktoon, next to the Rugrats. The series is set in the Pacific Ocean, in the fictional city of Bikini Bottom and on the surrounding lagoon floor. The pilot episode first aired in the United States on Nickelodeon after the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards on May 1, 1999. The "official" series premiere followed on July 17, 1999, with the second episode, "Bubblestand/Ripped Pants." The series star is a character who is a sea sponge, but in shape and color his body more closely resembles a kitchen sponge. 《海绵宝宝》（SpongeBob SquarePants）是一系列美国电视动画，1999年开播，推出在尼克卡通，比室扬先前的尼克卡通（猫与狗）的集剪以尺数还要多，旧府创始者是一名海洋生物学家兼动画师史蒂芬