Since the late 2000s, an international edition of the event has also been broadcast on its versions in Germany, Benelux, Greece, Poland and Russia.

According to Viacom, the owner of the Nickelodeon networks, millions of children and adults are expected to participate in "thousands of events in dozens of countries.

In 2007, SpongeBob SquarePants, alongside Just Jordan, Tak and the Power of Juju, Zoey 101, iCarly, and Back at the Barnyard, had new episodes.

Following in 2009 and 2010, iCarly, True Jackson, VP, and Big Time Rush had new episodes, with the inclusion of Nickelodeon's rebrand.

In 2012, before the Worldwide Day of Play begin, new episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness aired as well with an hour-long final season premiere of iCarly later that night with a sneak peek of See Dad Run following iCarly.

For 2013, new episodes of Sanjay and Craig and Rabbids Invasion aired prior to the event, while premieres of Sam & Cat and The Haunted Hathaways were shown that evening.