Nickandmore!

via Disney XD press release:

PRODUCTION HAS BEGUN ON A NEW SEASON OF “NEXT X,”

FEATURING X GAMES ATHLETES BUCKY LASEK, DANIEL DHERS,

RUNE GLIFBERG AND GARY YOUNG MENTORING YOUNG COMPETITORS

— New Season to Premiere Monday, June 21 on Disney XD —

Production has begun on a new season of “Next X,” an action-packed reality sports series featuring star athletes Bucky Lasek, Daniel Dhers, Rune Glifberg and Gary Young mentoring young amateur competitors in their chosen sport. Sponsored by Hasbro, the six-episode short-form series will premiere MONDAY, JUNE 21 (7:15 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD and Disney XD.com with new episodes airing every Monday night until Monday, July 26. “Next X,” developed by Disney XD in association with ESPN, reached 24.7 million viewers, including 4.3 million boys 6-11 last summer on Disney XD.

“Next X” will culminate with one amateur athlete named the Next X, who will then have the opportunity to showcase his or her action sports skills on the course at X Games 16. A 30-minute “Next X” special will be shot at X Games 16, which will feature the amateur athlete’s VIP experience and will air in August on Disney XD.

Originating from the Santa Clarita Skate Park, located in Santa Clarita, California, the series features professional skateboarders Bucky Lasek and Rune Glifberg and professional BMX riders Daniel Dhers and Gary Young, as they pair up with four talented amateurs to help sharpen their technical skills, perform new tricks and try to become the next generation’s action sports superstars. The amateur athletes include:

• 12-year-old Jamie Cooper-Ellis, a BMX athlete from Putney, Vermont who recently competed in Wicked Jam (Rye Air Field) and placed first in the 12 and under category.
• 11-year-old Tucker Smith, a BMX athlete from Laguna Hills, California who competed in the Woodward West AM Fest, May 2009 and placed first in the 10 and under category.
• 9-year-old Alana Smith, a skateboarder from Mesa, Arizona who recently competed in the Kids That Rip School’s Heartbreaker Skateboard contest and placed first in the mini ramp.
• 11-year-old Heimana Reynolds, a skateboarder from Honolulu, Hawaii who recently competed in the King of the Groms skateboard contest and placed second in Intermediate Bowl and second in Intermediate Ramp.

“Next X” is produced by Kemp Curley, Bruno Musso and Michael Bloom of Transition Productions (ESPN “X Games”/”Winter X Games,” “First Descent,” and “Ultimate Parkour Challenge”). The director of photography is Christian Hoagland.

Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 76 million households via its basic cable affiliates. Disney XD recently launched in the UK, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Latin America and Japan.

About ESPN’s X Games Franchise

ESPN held its first X Games in 1995. ESPN’s Global X Events and Development group is responsible for creating the company’s action sports programming currently airing on ESPN, ESPN 2 and across its various international networks. In addition to the two U.S. based X branded events, X Games and Winter X Games, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world, including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, China, and Europe. The global X franchise has also expanded its reach to ESPN.com/Action, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVD’s.