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via Disney Channel press release:

BETTER GRAB SOME SUNGLASSES, THE FUTURE AROUND HERE IS BRIGHT

RATINGS LEADER DISNEY CHANNEL MEETS SPONSORS; SHOWCASES PROGRAMMING FOR KIDS 6-14 AND DISNEY JUNIOR FOR KIDS AGE 2-7

DISNEY XD’S LIVE ACTION AND ANIMATION SCHEDULE PRESENTED TO ADVERTISERS

Disney’s 2012-13 creative content for its kid-driven, family inclusive TV channels, highlighted by fresh ways to tell great new Disney stories, will be presented to sponsors/advertisers this week in New York by Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. The successful Disney Channels Worldwide portfolio is comprised of the kids TV ratings leader, Disney Channel, the skyrocketing Disney XD channel, the fast growing programming block plus upcoming 24-hour channel, Disney Junior, and the Radio Disney national network and its over 30 owned radio stations.

Marsh said, “We not only try to stay ahead of the curve, but to draw a new one. By developing programming that takes a fresh approach to the familiar, we’re able to provide entertainment for kids and families that feels novel and exciting — and pure Disney.”

Rita Ferro, Executive Vice President, Disney Media Sales and Marketing, leads Disney’s powerful kids media sales enterprise through which marketers can reach preschoolers, boys, girls, tweens and moms — connecting their brands to Disney quality programming that has young viewers deeply engaged.

A newly designed www.Disney Channel.com, created in partnership with Disney Interactive Media Group, launched today as a daily destination for kids and tweens to access relevant content through a newsfeed and social features, including sharing and commenting. In the coming months, a new tween lifestyle section will be added to provide information on style, technology, music and everything that is relevant in kids lives.

Disney Channel continues to deliver momentum following a year of unprecedented ratings strength, its seminal first place win among Kids 6-11 and its third year leading the Tween 9-14 demographic, both across Total Day measurement in 2011. Disney Channel also has fast-growing ratings among Kids 2-11, tying for #1 in February for the first time ever, and is within 1% of Nickelodeon for 1Q12. 2011 was the fifth consecutive year a Disney Channel Original Movie was the year’s #1 cable TV movie in Total Viewers (the average delivery for the five movies is 12.5 million viewers), and the 10th consecutive year Disney Channel has delivered the #1 original movie telecast among Tweens 9-14.

Disney XD has also delivered a rocket-fueled ascent across all targeted demographics, notably delivering an unprecedented 38 consecutive months of year to year gains among Kids 6-11 in primetime, the longest streak of its kind among all kid networks. Disney Junior ratings have grown substantially during the programming block on Disney Channel. The premiere of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns!,” is the most watched cable telecast in nearly 10 years among Kids 2-5, based on Live+7 data (4.661 million Total Viewers and 1.846 Kids 2-5). On March 23, Disney Junior will also grow in distribution by adding a 24-hour channel for kids age 2-7.

Scheduled to join the advertiser event, presented with the theme “Into the Future” and hosted by Radio Disney personality Ernie D, are: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” and Jake and Captain Hook of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” for Disney Junior, plus musical performances by China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”) and her sisters, Lauryn and Sierra McClain (the trio, McClain Sisters, are Hollywood Records recording artists); and a performance by Tyler James Williams and Coco Jones (she’s a Radio Disney “N.B.T.” — “Next Big Thing” — artist and they both star in the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie “Let It Shine”), Debby Ryan (star of the #1 series among Tween, “Jessie”), Laura Marano (“Austin & Ally”), Tyrel Jackson Williams (Disney XD’s “Lab Rats”), Leo Howard (Disney XD’s “Kickin It”), Bridgit Mendler (“Good Luck Charlie”), Adam Hicks and Doc Shaw (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”).

The new projects announced today and upcoming programming events presented to sponsors are:

DISNEY CHANNEL

“WANDER OVER YONDER” — Emmy-winning producer Craig McCracken, among the most sought-after talent in TV animation, is the creator/executive producer of Disney Channel’s upcoming “Wander Over Yonder,” an animated comedy series about best friends and epic enemies, set in surreal places across the universe. Wander is an overly-optimistic intergalactic traveler who, along with his loyal but bullish steed, Sylvia, goes from planet to planet helping people to live free and have fun, all against the evil reign of Lord Hater and his army of Watchdogs. The voice cast includes Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock,” “Phineas and Ferb”), Keith Ferguson (“Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends”) and Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”). McCracken created the Emmy-winning series “The Powerpuff Girls” and produced a feature film based on it. He also created the hit series “Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends,” which also won him an Emmy Award. Prior to creating his own shows, McCracken directed “Dexter’s Laboratory” and worked on a variety of shows for Hanna-Barbera. “Wander Over Yonder” is a production of Disney Television Animation.

“TEEN BEACH MUSICAL” — School’s out, surf’s up and Disney Channel is taking a dip into the teen beach party movie genre with this modern break into song and dance comedy in which surfer girl McKenzie and her boyfriend, Brady, literally go into a classic surf movie musical where it’s bikers versus surfers — and they’re in for trouble if they don’t back down. While they hatch a plan to get back home to present day, the duo try to blend in as everyone around them spontaneously breaks into song and dance. But when they interfere with the plot of the movie, their fate may be changed forever. It is scheduled to premiere in summer 2013 on Disney Channel. Starring are Ross Lynch (“Austin & Ally”), Maia Mitchell (Australia’s “Trapped,” “Castaway”), Garrett Clayton, Grace Phipps (“The Nine Lives of Chloe King”), John DeLuca, Chrissie Fit (“General Hospital”), Kevin Chamberlin (“Jessie,” Broadway’s “The Addams Family”) and Steve Valentine (“Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie,” Disney XD’s “I’m In The Band”). The soundtrack is influenced by surf rock, Motown R&B, rockabilly and comedic pop. “Teen Beach Musical” was written by Vince Marcello and Mark Landry (“Zombie Prom”) and Robert Horn (“Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure”) and is directed by Jeffrey Hornaday (“Geek Charming,” choreographer of “A Chorus Line,” “Flashdance”) and choreographed by Chris Scott (“Lemonade Mouth”). David Buelow (“Bring It On: Fight to the Finish”) is the executive producer and Robert F. Phillips (“Teen Spirit”) is the producer. “Teen Beach Musical” is a production of Rainforest Productions, LLC.

“GIRL VS. MONSTER” (working title) – In a Halloween themed movie to premiere during Disney Channel’s second annual month-long Monstober event, Olivia Holt (Disney XD’s “Kickin’ It”) stars as 15-year-old Skylar Lewis, a savvy teenager who discovers her family’s closely-guarded secret — she’s a fifth generation monster hunter. But Skylar doesn’t realize there is one immortal monster, Deimata, who wants to unravel her family’s secret. In order for Skylar and her friends to stop Deimata and her army of monsters, they’ll need to face their biggest fears and overcome them together. The script was written by Annie DeYoung, Ron McGee and Geoff Rodkey. The director is Stuart Gillard and the executive producer is Sheri Singer.

“CODE 9” – In this unscripted practical joke show for kids and families, a hidden camera, a sense of humor and the help of Hollywood’s top special effects artists and designers is all a family needs to pull off a fun prank with their unsuspecting mom or dad. The entire group works together to plan and execute the entertaining prank with one family member going deep undercover with special prosthetic make-up, costumes and other disguises to help pull the whole prank off. Hosted by Wes Dening (“In the Qube”), the series is scheduled to premiere in summer 2012. The executive producers are Mark Herwick (“Launch My Line”), Douglas Ross, Kathleen French, Gregory Stewart and Alex Baskin (each of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”). “Code 9” is a production of Evolution Media.

“LET IT SHINE” – The premiere of this music-filled Disney Channel Original Movie will be presented FRIDAY, JUNE 15 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT). A modern day story inspired by the ghostwritten love letters of Cyrano de Bergerac, the story is set in the world of hip-hop, rap and gospel music and expresses the importance of staying true to oneself. Starring are Tyler James Williams (“Everybody Hates Chris”), Coco Jones (Radio Disney “N.B.T.”), Trevor Jackson, Brandon Mychal Smith (Disney Channel’s “So Random!”), Nicole Sullivan, Courtney B. Vance and Dawnn Lewis. It was written by Eric Daniel and Don D. Scott and directed by Paul Hoen. The soundtrack will be released on Walt Disney Records.

“GRAVITY FALLS” – Premiering in June, this clever, unexpected approach to animated comedy is helmed by its creator, executive-producer/director Alex Hirsch, a 2007 Cal Arts graduate. His college short, “Off the Wall,” garnered attention from notable animation blogs Drawn! and Cartoon Brew, as well as Cold Hard Flash. He subsequently worked as a writer/storyboard artist on “The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack” and developed Disney Channel’s “Fish Hooks.” He is also the voice of Clamantha on that series. His ingenious new series “Gravity Falls” follows twin brother and sister Dipper and Mabel, whose summer plans are ruined when their parents ship them off to spend the summer with their Great Uncle Stan in the very strange town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. The voice cast is: Jason Ritter (“Parenthood”), Kristen Schaal (“Flight of the Conchords,” “Toy Story 3”) and Alex Hirsch. It is a production of Disney Television Animation.

“MAKE YOUR MARK” — Bigger in 2012, with new extensions across multiple Disney platforms, the second annual “Make Your Mark,” a talent competition especially for kids and tweens, begins in July with user generated content on DisneyChannel.com. The multi-platform TV, online and radio initiative culminates with a special event telecast in October. Last year’s “Make Your Mark: ‘Shake It Up’ Edition” delivered an average of 12 million Total Viewers in two telecasts and was #1 among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 for both programming nights. More than 30,000 dance videos were submitted online, resulting in more than 42 million video starts in four months.

“GOOD LUCK CHARLIE” – The third season introduces a joyful new story arc as the Duncans prepare for the arrival of a baby brother or sister. The bundle of joy arrives in June 2012 during a one-hour special episode. 25 million votes at DisneyChannel.com were tallied worldwide to determine the baby’s name. If it’s a boy, he will be Noah, Jonah, Toby, Bobby Jr. or Bo, and if a girl, she will be Sydney, Erika, Mallory, Talia or Jenny. For 2011, the series ranked as TV’s #2 series among Kids and Tweens, and the Disney Channel Original Movie it inspired was cable TV’s #1 live-action movie of 2011 in Total Viewers (8.3 million) and the #2 scripted telecast across all TV among Kids 6-11 (4.0 million). Starring are Bridgit Mendler, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Bradley Steven Perry, Mia Talerico, Eric Allan Kramer and Jason Dolley. “Good Luck Charlie” was created by Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen and is executive-produced by Baker, Vaupen and Dan Staley. It is from It’s A Laugh Productions, Inc.

“SUMMER ADVENTURE WEEKEND” — In July, Disney Channels presents its most expansive programming initiative yet, a “Summer Adventure Weekend,” with new, vacation adventure-themed episodes of every series on Disney Channel and Disney XD to be presented across three days. Themed episodes of Disney Channel’s “Gravity Falls,” “Fish Hooks,” “Jessie,” “A.N.T. Farm,” “Good Luck Charlie,” “Austin & Ally” and “Shake It Up” will be presented on Disney Channel, and Disney XD will feature themed episodes of “Kick Buttowski – Suburban Daredevil,” “Lab Rats,” “Kickin’ It,” “Pair of Kings” and “Mr. Young.”

The “Summer Adventure Weekend” includes the first of an epic “PHINEAS AND FERB” two-part episode. In the episode, entitled “Where’s Perry?,” the Flynn-Fletchers are off on an African safari, leaving Perry at home to deal with Doofenshmirtz and his most evil plot yet: to take over the OWCA. But when Doofenshmirtz accidentally zaps Carl the intern with his Ultimate-Evil-Inator ray, Carl takes over the OWCA (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) and imprisons Doof and Monogram. Agent P steps in but gets zapped with one of Doof’s many rays and in the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers, disappears. The mystery of Perry’s whereabouts will be continued in August. The voice cast includes Vincent Martella, Thomas Sangster, Ashley Tisdale, Mitchel Musso, Caroline Rhea, Richard O’Brien, Dee Bradley Baker and Alyson Stoner. Created and executive-produced by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, the series is a production of Disney Television Animation. For three years running, the Emmy-winning “Phineas and Ferb” has ranked as the #1 animated series among Tweens and the Disney Channel Original Movie it inspired, “Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension,” was TV’s #1 scripted telecast among Kids 6-11 (4.7 million) and Tweens 9-14 (3.6 million) and cable’s #1 scripted telecast in Total Viewers (10.7 million) for 2011.

“SHAKE IT UP: MADE IN JAPAN” — A 90-minute song and dance-filled event, set to premiere in August, follows best friends Rocky and CeCe as they travel to Tokyo to star in an interactive dance video game. While there, Rocky plans to explore Japan, but CeCe wants to seize the chance to become global dance superstars, their longtime dream. Meanwhile, there’s a Mission Impossible-style race against time to save the world from The Rocky and Cece computer virus. The Blue Man Group guest stars. Starring are Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Adam Irigoyen, Davis Cleveland, Kenton Duty, Roshon Fegan, Caroline Sunshine and R. Brandon Johnson. The series is executive-produced by Rob Lotterstein and Jeff Strauss and is a production of It’s a Laugh Productions, Inc.

DISNEY XD

The epic storytelling of Marvel — full of action, adventure and humor, along with complex, courageous and aspirational characters – will be introduced to a new generation of kids and families through a dedicated weekly programming block, Marvel Universe, premiering SUNDAY, APRIL 1 on Disney XD. The new series, “Ultimate Spider-Man,” is written and guided by a creative team that includes some of the most influential names in comic books and pop culture: Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer, Joe Quesada, and Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb, Supervising Producers/Writers Man of Action (Joe Kelly, Joe Casey, Steven T. Seagle & Duncan Rouleau), Creative Consultant/Writer Paul Dini (“Batman: The Animated Series,” “Lost”), and Consulting Producer/Writer Brian Michael Bendis (Marvel’s Ultimate Comics Spider-Man comic series). In the storyline, a teenage Peter Parker (voiced by actor Drake Bell) juggles the relatable challenges of high school with the extraordinary challenges of being a Super Hero. Nick Fury (voiced by actor Chi McBride) invites Parker to train with his S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, where Peter’s alter-ego, Spider-Man, will join forces with four other teenage Super Heroes — Nova, White Tiger, Power Man and Iron Fist — on the greatest action and adventure ever as they work to become ultimate superheroes. The Marvel Universe programming block will also feature the second season of “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” and new short-form series that take viewers behind the scenes to meet the creative teams and explore the many facets of the Marvel Universe.

“MOTORCITY” – This animated series, set in a futuristic Detroit after it has been purchased and built into Detroit Deluxe by evil billionaire Abraham Kane, premieres MONDAY, APRIL 30 on Disney XD. Kane, having banned personal freedoms including automobile transportation, is ultimately challenged by a group of rebels, The Burners, led by 17-year-old Mike Chilton. The Burners retreat to an underground city, customize their fleet of hot rods and pursue their quest to stop Kane from taking over the world. “Motorcity” is executive-produced and directed by noted producer Chris Prynoski (“Metalocalypse”). Craig Lewis (“Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends”) is the story editor and John O’Bryan (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) and George Krstic (“Star Wars: Clone Wars”) are the writers. The series voice cast is Reid Scott, Nate Torrence, Kate Micucci, Kel Mitchell, Jess Harnell, Brian Doyle Murray, Jim Breuer and Mark Hamill. “Motorcity” is a production of Robin Red Breast, Inc. and Disney Television Animation.

“TRON: UPRISING“- An impressive group of artists, animators, writers, directors and producers have delivered an exciting new series that combines 3D and 2D animation for a revolutionary visual aesthetic. The exciting storyline takes place between the two “TRON” feature films and introduces Beck, who has been chosen to lead the mission to free his home, a computer world known as The Grid, from the reign of the villainous Clu and his henchman General Tesler. Beck will be trained by the greatest warrior The Grid has ever known, Tron. The executive producer/director is Charlie Bean (“Robotboy,” “Samurai Jack” and “Powerpuff Girls”) and the consulting producers are Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz (both screenwriters of “TRON: Legacy” / executive producers of ABC’s “Lost” and “Once Upon a Time”) and Justin Springer (co-producer of “TRON: Legacy”). The music is composed by Joseph Trapanese (“TRON: Legacy”). The voice cast is: Elijah Wood, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, Nate Corddry, Lance Henriksen, Paul Reubens, Reginald VelJohnson and Bruce Boxleitner. The series is a production of Disney Television Animation.

“RANDY CUNNINGHAM: 9TH GRADE NINJA” – This action-packed animated comedy, set to premiere in fall 2012 on Disney XD, follows the fast-paced adventures of unlikely hero Randy Cunningham who, armed with his magic ninja suit, the teachings of the ‘NinjaNomicon’ (an 800 year old Ninja guide) and the help of his best buddy Howard, finds himself as the one thing protecting his school and the world from certain destruction. The voice cast is: Ben Schwartz (“Parks & Recreation”), Tim Curry (“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”), Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”) and Andrew Caldwell (“Transformers”). The creators/executive producers are Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas (“Scooby Doo”). The series is a production of Boulder Media in Dublin, Ireland, and Robin Red Breast, Inc. in Los Angeles.

Acquired series for Disney XD include “Slugterra” for fall 2012, “Packages from Planet X” for early 2013 and “PacMan” for spring 2013.

DISNEY JUNIOR

Disney Junior, a 24-hour basic cable/satellite channel expressly for kids age 2-7 and their parents/caregivers, launches FRIDAY, MARCH 23 (12:00 midnight, ET/PT) in the U.S., joining 28 other Disney Junior channels around the world. The popular Disney Junior daily programming block will continue on Disney Channel while the new 24-hour channel will fulfill parents’ demands for quintessential Disney programming throughout the day. The 24-hour Disney Junior channel will be available via major cable and satellite providers Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Bright House Networks and Verizon, among others. Additional information regarding Disney Junior is available at DisneyJuniorTheChannel.com.

“DOC McSTUFFINS” – This animated series about a six-year-old girl who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and toys in her backyard clinic, premieres with the 24-hour channel Disney Junior and will also be seen on the Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel. Under the consultancy of the Hollywood Health & Society division of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center, the series will highlight the importance of taking care of oneself and others, while showcasing the hallmarks of great Disney storytelling – fantasy and wish fulfillment. The series voice cast includes: Kiara Muhammad, Loretta Devine, Lara Jill Miller, Robbie Rist, Jess Harnell, Jaden Betts, Kim Brooks and Gary Anthony Williams. The series’ theme song is performed by the star of Disney Channel’s hit series “A.N.T. Farm” and Hollywood Records recording artist China Anne McClain. Emmy Award-winning writer/producer Chris Nee (“Little Bill” and “Deadliest Catch: Crab Fishing in Alaska”) is the creator and executive producer, and Emmy Award-winning Norton Virgien (“Rugrats”) is the director. “Doc McStuffins” is a production of the Dublin, Ireland-based Brown Bag Films.

“JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES: BUCKY’S GREAT RACE” – In a primetime event episode to be presented in September 2012, Jake’s pirate ship Bucky falls into the hands of Captain Hook after losing a race against the Jolly Roger, so Peter Pan returns once again to help Jake, Izzy, Cubby and Skully follow the Pirate Code and win back their trusty ship. Voicing the cast of characters are: Cameron Boyce, Madison Pettis, Jonathan Morgan Heit, David Arquette, Adam Wylie, Corey Burton and Jeff Bennett. The Never Land Pirate Band (aka Sharky and Bones) is Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson. The executive producer is Rob LaDuca and the producer/story editor is Mark Seidenberg. The director is Howy Parkins. The series is a production of Disney Television Animation.

“MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: MICKEY AND DONALD HAVE A FARM” – In this special presentation scheduled for fall 2012, when the powerful wind from Pete’s Giant Windmill accidentally sends all of the animals on the new Clubhouse Farm flying to different places, Mickey and his pals set out to find and rescue them. The voice cast is: Bret Iwan, Russi Taylor, Bill Farmer, Tony Anselmo and Tress MacNeille. The executive producer is Rob LaDuca and the producer/story editor is Mark Seidenberg. Donovan Cook is the director. The series is a production of Disney Television Animation.

“SOFIA THE FIRST” – Disney will introduce a new little girl princess to its celebrated legacy of princess fairytales in an animated television movie, “Sofia the First,” premiering in fall 2012 to be followed by a series premiering in winter 2013 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior channels around the world. The stories are designed to communicate positive messages and life lessons that are applicable to preschool-aged children. The voice cast is: Ariel Winter, Sara Ramirez, Wayne Brady and Tim Gunn. The series was developed by Craig Gerber (“Pixie Hollow Games”) who also wrote the movie. Jamie Mitchell (“Special Agent Oso”) serves as both executive producer and director on the series. Gerber is co-executive producer and serves as the story editor. The series and movie are productions of Disney Television Animation.

“THE HAPPY HUGGLEMONSTERS” – Based on the book series I’m a Happy Hugglewug by Niamh Sharkey, this animated series follows the adventures of spirited five-year-old Henry Hugglemonster, the middle child in a family of fun-loving monsters. The series is directed by Norton Virgien (“Rugrats, ” “Doc McStuffins”), the lead writer is Sascha Paladino (“Wonder Pets, ” “Ni-Hao Kai-Lan”), and the producer is Gillian Higgins (“Doc McStuffins, ” “Octonauts). It is a production of Dublin, Ireland’s Brown Bag Films.

“QUIET IS…” – Tranquil songs and serene visuals mark this tender new short-form series, one designed to encourage calmness before bedtime for the youngest viewer. “Quiet Is…” was created by award-winning author and illustrator Sara Pinto and acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Luciana Frigerio. The composers are Rick Garcia and William V. Malpede. The stop-motion animated series is a production of the award-winning Scotland-based animation studio Ko Lik Films, Limited.

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More Disney Channel news from today:

• Disney Channel Orders Second Season, TV Movie for “Jessie”

• Disney Channel Starts Production on Original Movie “Teen Beach Musical”

• Disney Channel Original Movie “Let It Shine” Premieres Friday, June 15

• Disney Channel Renews “Austin & Ally” for Second Season

• DisneyChannel.com Gets Redesigned