Disney Bumps Original Series Slate 30% In the Disney Channel Family Upfronts

Press Release – After delivering a year of best-ever ratings across each of its kid-driven, family inclusive platforms, and deepening its strong connection with kids and parents, especially moms, Disney showcased an unprecedented amount of new programming that’s to come — an expanded slate of 13 new original series (part of 435 total original episodes in 2011, a 30% increase from last year, not including acquisitions) and additional new titles in the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie franchise at its annual presentation to advertisers today at New York’s Gotham Hall.

At the event, themed “Time to Shine,” Carolina Lightcap, President, Disney Channels Worldwide, highlighted the expanded programming slates, ratings momentum and unique emotional connection to kids and families that’s delivered by each brand in Disney’s portfolio — which includes Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney.

Disney’s new and returning programming was showcased by Gary Marsh, President, Entertainment and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide; and Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide. Rita Ferro, Executive Vice President, Disney Media Sales and Marketing, presented Disney’s powerful media sales enterprise, through which marketers can reach kids, tweens and moms across every engagement point where they are spending their time: TV, online, mobile and radio. Ferro also highlighted the strength of the flagship Disney Channel in bringing kids and families together — 2011 to date, it reaches more kids, tweens and Moms in primetime than any other cable network

Hosted by Radio Disney’s Ernie D., the event included a performance by teen superstar Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place), the performance debut of actress and newly signed Hollywood Records recording artist China Anne McClain (ANT Farm), a martial arts performance by actor Leo Howard (Kickin’ It), a boisterous song by Bones and Sharky of The Never Land Pirate Band (Jake and the Never Land Pirates), an appearance by actress Debby Ryan (Jessie, The Suite Life on Deck) and a high energy dance number by the cast of Shake It Up — TV’s #1 series among Kids 6-14: Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Adam Irigoyen, Davis Cleveland, Kenton Duty, Roshon Fegan and Caroline Sunshine.

The momentum is strong. 2011 to date, in Total Day, Disney Channel is pacing to deliver its best ever first quarter in Total Viewers and all kid demographics, and is the only network among its chief competitors (Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network) to post ratings increases versus a year ago. 2010 was Disney Channel’s most watched year ever in all key demographics including Total Viewers, Kids 2-5, Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14. 2010 was also Disney Channel’s second consecutive year ranking #1 among Tweens in Total Day.

In primetime, Disney Channel’s #1 rank extended to 10 consecutive years among Tweens and to eight straight years among Kids. Disney Channel was cable’s #2 network in primetime among Total Viewers, marking the fifth consecutive year the network has ranked among the Top 2 cable networks.

2010 also marked the ninth consecutive year Disney Channel has delivered the #1 original movie telecast among Tweens and the fourth consecutive year in Total Viewers, an indication of strong co-viewing by kids, parents and families. In fact, Disney Channel is the #1 cable network for reaching moms in primetime.

Disney XD, which recently marked its second anniversary, has had eight consecutive quarters of growth. With three weeks left in the first quarter of 2011, Disney XD is currently pacing to deliver the channel’s best quarterly Total Day ratings ever in Total Viewers, Kids and Boys 6-14, 6-11 and 9-14. In 2010, Disney XD delivered its best yearly ratings ever (including the channel’s 10+ years as Toon Disney) in Total Viewers, Kids and Boys 6-11 and 6-14, posting double-digit percent increases in all key demographics — Kids and Boys 6-14, 6-11 and 9-14.

With the premiere of Disney Junior, February was Disney Channel’s best month ever among Kids 2-5. Year to year, Disney Junior is up a whopping 44% among Kids, 55% among Boys 2-5, 32% among Girls 2-5 and 13% among Women 18-49. 2011 to-date, Jake and the Never Land Pirates is TV’s #1 series among Kids and Boy 2-5.

Highlights of new and returning programming are (Editor’s Note: Listing is edited to only include animated series):

Gravity Falls (new animated series)
This animated comedy tells the story of twins Dipper and Mabel — two city kids sent to spend the summer with their crusty old great uncle Stan (aka Grunkle Stan) in Gravity Falls, Oregon. Turns out, Gravity Falls is not a run of the mill vacation spot, but is a strange and wondrous place – home to every weird creature and phenomenon imaginable, from gnomes to time portals to quantum waffles. Created and executive-produced by Alex Hirsch (Fish Hooks), the series is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Phineas and Ferb (returning series and movie)
The critically acclaimed, Emmy-winning Phineas and Ferb is TV’s #1 animated series among Tweens for three years running, and has inspired a Disney Channel Original Movie, Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension, that transports Phineas and Ferb to a parallel dimension where a truly evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz is actually succeeding at taking over the world. The movie is set to premiere in summer 2011. The series is on both Disney Channel and Disney XD. Both the series and movie were created and are executive-produced by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh. Both are productions of Disney Television Animation. The voice cast includes Vincent Martella, Thomas Sangster, Ashley Tisdale, Mitchel Musso, Caroline Rhea, Richard O’Brien, Dee Bradley Baker and Alyson Stoner.

Disney XD

Ultimate Spider-Man (new animated series)
The centerpiece of an upcoming Marvel programming block on Disney XD, this animated series from Marvel follows Peter Parker who, as the storyline begins, has been Spider-Man for just one year. He’s fought villains, saved lives, but still has much to learn about being a super-hero. Now, Nick Fury gives Peter the chance to go to the next level — to train to be a real super-hero and become The Ultimate Spider-Man. But before he can do that, Peter will have to learn how to work with a team of fellow teenage super-heroes. The series’ award-winning creative team includes Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series, Lost ), the creative powerhouse Man of Action Studios (creators of Ben 10 and Generator Rex), comprised of lauded creators Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle; and Brian Michael Bendis (visionary behind Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man comic series).

Motorcity (new animated series)
This animated series is set in a futuristic Detroit owned by evil billionaire Abraham Kane. Having banned personal freedoms including automobile transportation, Kane now faces one last obstacle, a group of hot-rod wielding rebels who call themselves The Burners. Led by Mike Chilton, The Burners rise to stop Kane from conquering Detroit’s last oasis of freedom — an underground refuge dubbed Motorcity. The series, created by Chris Prynoski and produced by Disney Television Animation and Titmouse, Inc., is slated to premiere in winter 2012 on Disney XD. The voice cast is Reid Scott, Nate Torrence, Kate Micucci, Kel Mitchell, Jess Harnell, Brian Doyle Murray, Jim Breuer and Mark Hamill. It is executive produced and directed by Chris Prynoski (Metalocalypse, Megas XLR, Downtown). 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 staff writers.

Tron: Uprising (new animated series)
This visually stunning series, scheduled to premiere in fall 2012 on Disney XD, focuses on an era of the TRON storyline that transpires after the 1982 feature film and before the story in TRON: Legacy. Its impressive list of artists, animators, directors, producers and digital technicians includes executive producer/director Charlie Bean (Robotboy, Samurai Jack, and Powerpuff Girls), and consulting producers Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz (both screenwriters of TRON: Legacy / executive producers of Lost) and Justin Springer (co-producer of TRON: Legacy). The series will be preceded by a 10-part TRON micro-series launching in winter 2012 on Disney XD. The voice cast includes Elijah Wood, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Mandy Moore, Nate Corddry, Lance Henriksen, Paul Reubens, Reginald VelJohnson and Bruce Boxleitner.

Kick Buttowski — Suburban Daredevil (returning series)
The hit animated series premieres its second season in April, a season filled with notable guest stars including NBA star Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), Tony Hawk, Ed O’Neill (Modern Family), Will Forte (Saturday Night Live), Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family), legendary entertainer Debbie Reynolds and Jay Harris (ESPN’s SportsCenter). The series stars Charlie Schlatter, Matt L. Jones, Danny Cooksey, John DiMaggio and Eric Christian Olsen. Recurring are Henry Winkler, Emily Osment, Simon Helberg and Alyssa Milano. Created and executive-produced by Sandro Corsaro and produced and directed by Chris Savino, the series is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Disney Junior

Doc McStuffins (new animated series)
The doctor is in… and she will launch the 24-hour Disney Junior channel in 2012. Doc McStuffins is an imaginative animated series about six-year-old Dottie “Doc” McStuffins, who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and toys out of her backyard clinic. 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 Hollywood Health & Society division of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center will serve as the health and medical consultant for the series, advising on core health issues that are relevant to young kids and families. Emmy Award-winning writer Chris Nee (Little Bill) 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 Academy Award-nominated animation studio Brown Bag Films (Granny O’Grimm, Give Up Yer Aul Sins) in association with Disney Channel.

Oki’s Oasis (new animated series)
The first animated western for preschoolers, Oki’s Oasis stars Mandy Moore (Disney’s Tangled) as the voice of Oki, a kitty cat sheriff in the town of Nice and Friendly Corners, the friendliest town in the West. With the help of her deputy woodpecker, Peck, Oki makes sure the town stays “nice and friendly” and when trouble comes a-calling, she makes sure it doesn’t stay long. The series imparts social skills and lessons on the value of being a “good neighbor.” Produced by George Evelyn and Denis Morella, it is a production of Wildbrain Entertainment.

Sofia the First (new animated special and series pilot)
Sofia the First, a full length animated special and series pilot, set in the storybook world of the classic Disney Princesses, introduces Sofia, a little girl with a commoner’s background until her mom marries the King and suddenly she is royalty. Sofia is whisked off to the castle, where she learns what it means to be a real princess, discovering empowering lessons about kindness, forgiveness, generosity, courage and self-respect. With the help of the three familiar fairies in charge of the Royal Training Academy — Flora, Fauna and Merryweather of Disney’s classic “Sleeping Beauty” — Sofia learns that looking like a princess isn’t all that hard, but behaving like one must come from the heart. The writer is Craig Gerber (The Pixie Hollow Games) and the executive producer/director is Jamie Mitchell (Special Agent Oso). It is a production of Disney Television Animation.

7D (new animated series pilot)
Creators, including Walt Disney himself, have long been inspired to access classic folk and fairy tales… reimagining, reinterpreting and reinventing them for new generations. The animated series pilot 7D takes a new creative approach to the beloved Brothers Grimm tale of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” reimagining it in a comic and contemporary storybook world. The new music-filled stories introduce the whimsical world of Jollywood, where the kind-hearted Queen Delightful calls upon the 7D — Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy and Doc — for assistance. Emmy Award-winning Tom Ruegger (Animaniacs) directs the pilot written by Craig Shemin (Tasty Time with ZeFronk) with character design by Noah Z. Jones (Fish Hooks). It is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Minnie Bow-Toons (new animated short form series)
This new short form series was inspired by a popular episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse that focuses on Mickey’s #1 gal, Minnie Mouse, and her friend Daisy Duck and is set in Minnie’s Bow-Tique (which stocks only bows and bow-ties). Scheduled for a 2011 premiere, it will be followed soon thereafter by a full-length series that takes place at Minnie’s Bow-tique Hotel and follows the comedic happenings as some familiar guests, including the Hippo from Fantasia, check in. On any given day, Minnie acts as hostess, party planner, chef, fashion consultant, riding instructor or tour guide, with Daisy taking on the role of a very chatty front desk clerk. Clarabelle is a cow of all trades, taking on a number of jobs — bellhop, maintenance worker, pool attendant, juice bar attendant and room service waitress — all for which she is completely ill-suited. “Minnie’s Bow-Toons” is produced by Kate Boutilier and Eryk Casemiro (Olivia) and directed by Robert Ramirez (Can You Teach My Alligator Manners?). It is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates (animated series)
A second season pick-up was announced for Jake and the Never Land Pirates, following its remarkable premiere to record-setting ratings on Disney Channel. It is the #1 series on TV among both Kids 2-5 and Boys 2-5 2011 to date, and is posting significant year-to-year time period growth with Kids 2-5 (+40%), Boys 2-5 (+60%), Girls 2-5 (+19%), and notably with Women 18-49 (+36%) and Total Viewers (+37%). The animated adventure introduces a crew of kid pirates — leader Jake and pals Izzy and Cubby – and follows their Never Land adventures as they work to outwit two infamous characters, the one and only Captain Hook and Smee, from Disney’s classic Peter Pan. The learning-focused series emphasizes teamwork and features original pirate rock music performed by The Never Land Pirate Band. The executive producer is Rob LaDuca (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) and producer/story editor is Mark Seidenberg. Kelly Ward is the voice director and Howy Parkins is the director. It is a production of Disney Television Animation.