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[via press release]

DISNEY JUNIOR ORDERS ADDITIONAL SEASONS OF HIT ANIMATED SERIES ‘MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS’ AND ‘THE LION GUARD’

Disney Junior has ordered a second season of 2017’s #1 series among preschooler-targeted networks, “Mickey and the Roadster Racers,” which since its January premiere, has reached over 41 million viewers nationwide. Disney Junior, geared towards kids age 2-7 and the #1 preschooler-dedicated network for the past five years, has also ordered a third season of its popular animated series “The Lion Guard.” The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, Content and Creative Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide, and general manager, Disney Junior Worldwide.

Kanter said, “‘Mickey and the Roadster Racers’ and ‘The Lion Guard’ uniquely embody Disney Junior’s goal of delivering inspired storytelling with humor and heart. And what better way to keep our young viewers around the world entertained and connected to some of our most beloved Disney characters than with the new stories we will be telling. We look forward to seeing Mickey and his pals and the Lion Guard in their continuing adventures on the racetrack and across the Pride Lands.”

“Mickey and the Roadster Racers” is a madcap car-racing adventure series for preschoolers that takes Disney’s #1 star, Mickey Mouse, and his pals Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy and Donald, along with their unique transforming vehicles, on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. The stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism and good sportsmanship. The Emmy-nominated creative talent behind Disney Junior’s hit series, “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” comprise the production team: Rob LaDuca is executive producer and Mark Seidenberg is co-executive producer and supervising story editor. “Mickey and the Roadster Racers” is a production of Disney Television Animation.

“The Lion Guard” continues the epic storytelling of “The Lion King” and follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands. Ranked as 2016’s #1 series across preschooler networks in Total Viewers and Kids 2-5, season two of the series will debut this summer and feature new guest star voices including Renée Elise Goldsberry (“Hamilton”) and Kristofer Hivju (“Game of Thrones”). “The Lion Guard” voice cast includes: Rob Lowe as Simba; Gabrielle Union as Nala; Max Charles as Kion; Joshua Rush as Bunga; Atticus Shaffer as Ono; Diamond White as Fuli and Dusan Brown as Beshte. Ford Riley (“Special Agent Oso”) is executive producer and Howy Parkins (“Jake and the Never Land Pirates”) is co-executive producer and supervising director. The Education and Science experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park serve as consultants and author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is the language and cultural advisor. “The Lion Guard” is a production of Disney Television Animation.

About Disney Junior
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 deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel reaching over 72 million U.S. homes. In total, there are 37 Disney Junior channels in 27 languages around the world.