“Sofia the First” Gets Second Season
via Disney Junior press release:
DISNEY JUNIOR ORDERS SECOND SEASON OF “SOFIA THE FIRST,”
CABLE TV’S #1 SERIES AMONG KIDS 2-5, GIRLS 2-5 AND BOYS 2-5
— Breakout Hit Spurs Growing Demand —
The animated series starring Disney’s first little girl princess, “Sofia the First,” the reigning cable TV series among Kids 2-5, Girls 2-5 and Boys 2-5, has been ordered for a second season on Disney Junior, the daily programming block for preschoolers and parents on Disney Channel, as well as the burgeoning 24-hour channel, Disney Junior. The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide. In addition to its regal standing with the youngest viewers, “Sofia the First” is also the #1 preschooler cable TV series in Total Viewers and Women 18-49, a key indicator of parental approval.
“Sofia the First” stories show young viewers just what makes a real princess — the inner character of kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty and grace. Viewers follow as Princess Sofia, an ordinary little girl, learns how to adjust to royal life after her mom marries the king.
Kanter said, “We are so proud of the strong connection our young viewers and their parents have forged with Sofia. While she and her family live in a magical make-believe world, the storytelling and relatable everyday themes have struck a chord with our audience and has created demand not only for more stories, but to extend the ‘Sofia the First’ experience beyond the screen.”
Extensions of the hit series include the illustrated storybook Sofia the First from Disney Press, and the record-breaking TV movie “Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess,” which will be released on DVD by The Walt Disney Studios today. The “Sofia the First: Story Theater” app has held the #1 spot in the iPad and iPhone Books category five of the seven weeks it has been in the marketplace, and the “Sofia the First” soundtrack from Walt Disney Records is #1 on iTunes Top 10 Children’s Albums chart and #2 on the Billboard’s Kid Albums chart. An exclusive “Sofia the First” product line is in Disney Stores and a full “Sofia the First” line including apparel and toys will launch at major retailers nationwide this summer.
“Sofia the First” is also now a prominent part of the popular “Disney Junior Live on Stage!” attraction at Disney’ Hollywood Studios in Florida and will be added to the attraction at Disney California Adventure later this month. The Sofia character is scheduled to make her Disney Parks debut this summer.
The TV series airs daily during the Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel and on the 24-hour Disney Junior channel. The series stars the voices of Ariel Winter as Sofia, the young princess in training; Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda, Sofia’s loyal and caring mother; Wayne Brady as Clover, Sofia’s wise-talking rabbit sidekick, and Tim Gunn as Baileywick, the castle’s royal steward. Craig Gerber (“Pixie Hollow Games”) developed the series and serves as executive producer and story editor. Jamie Mitchell (“Special Agent Oso”) is executive producer and director. John Kavanaugh (“Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo”) serves as songwriter/music director and Kevin Kliesch (“Tangled Ever After”) is the composer. “Sofia the First” is a production of Disney Television Animation.
Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior’s series blend Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. Disney Junior launched in February 2011 with a daily programming block on Disney Channel. In its first year, Disney Junior posted the network’s biggest yearly audience in the daypart in Total Viewers, Kids 2-5, Boys 2-5 and Women 18-49, increasing by double-digit margins in preschooler demographics over year-ago levels. On March 23, 2012 Disney Junior added a cable and satellite channel in the U.S. Disney Junior channels in Japan, India and Disney Junior Portugal launched in fall 2012, bringing the number of channels worldwide to 33.
* Source: NTI, U.S. ratings, most current