Disney XD’s 'TRYathalon,' Part of ‘Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living,’ Reaches Nearly 4 Million Total Viewers

[Via Press Release…]

Disney XD’s “TRYathalon,“ Part of ‘Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living,’

Reaches Nearly 4 Million Total Viewers and More Than 2.2 Million Kids 2-11

~Is Disney XD’s #1 Non-Scripted Program Ever with Kids 6-11, Boys 6-11 and Tweens 9-14

Disney XD’s summer event, “TRYathalon,” part of ‘Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living’ program that inspires kids and families to lead healthier lifestyles through nutritious eating and physical activity, ranked as Disney XD’s #1 telecast of the week in Total Viewers (825,000), Kids 6-14 (599,000/1.7 rating), Kids 6-11 (489,000/2.0 rating) and Kids 2-11 (553,000/1.3 rating), becoming the network’s #1 non-scripted program ever among target Kids 6-11 demos and Tweens 9-14 (417,000/1.7 rating). Overall, the special reached nearly 4 million unique Total Viewers, including more than 2.2 million unique Kids 2-11.

The special gained viewers throughout the hour, peaking with 926,000 Total Viewers (+37%) and 690,000 Kids 6-14 (+52%) in its final quarter hour.

Disney XD’s “TRYathalon” featured professional athletes -- two Olympic Gold Medalists, the WNBA’s Candice Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and NBA’s Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), plus the NFL’s Arian Foster (Houston Texans) -- who coached young stars from the network’s hit original series, “Kickin’ It,” “Lab Rats” and “Pair of Kings.” The actors were teamed with three viewers to compete in fun challenges that tested their skills and teamwork.

On DisneyXD.com/TRY, users participated in the new ‘TRYit Challenger’ in which kids and parents pledged to challenge themselves in new ways, such as trying new dance moves or adding fruit to a meal. Online the “TRYathalon” site captured nearly 130,000 page views, including 92,827 for featured game ‘Summer TRYathalon Mash-up’ which netted 89,353 games starts.

About Disney XD

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 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates.

About ‘Disney Magic of Healthy Living’

Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living partners with parents to inspire kids to lead healthier lifestyles.  Through engaging content, useful tools and unique experiences, this initiative helps parents by making nutritious eating and physical activity more appealing and more fun. For more information, please visit www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/mohl

Source: NTI, U.S. ratings, Live + Same Day: 8/13/12-8/19/12; Reach: The Nielsen Company, National TV Toolbox, 6 minute qualifier; Online: Omniture for Game Starts/Page Views.

Disney Channel casting starring roles for new comedy series 'Bits & Pieces' (April 2012)

It's a Laugh Productions is in pre-production on a brand new multicamera family comedy series pilot for Disney Channel titled "Bits & Pieces". The casting directors are auditioning actors to play the Fickman/Sullenger family, which includes two adults and four kids ages 7 - 16 years, two girls and two boys. All of the extras and stand-ins will be hired in Los Angeles throughout shooting which will take place this Summer, 2012. "Bits & Pieces" is a unique re-imagining of the traditional family comedy. The series will showcase the bits and pieces of a family's funniest moments using quick, dynamic storylines that unfold through a series of short comedic vignettes.

In the show, high school basketball coach Pete Fickman marries the school psychologist Jodie Sullenger, much to the disgruntlement of their four kids. Beautiful and popular teenager Alanna narrates all the family moments through comedic sketches, while her brainstorm brother Sticky and their new step siblings Crystal and Brody help fill in the bits and pieces as they begin their journey together as a new family.

Andy Fickman will direct the pilot from a script written by John D. Beck and Ron Hart. Fickman will also executive produce along with Betsy Sullenger. Fickman and Sullenger are the last names of the two families in "Bits & Pieces". Andy Fickman is president of Oops Doughnuts Productions, which is teaming with Walt Disney Pictures on the upcoming films "Pool Rats" and "The Most Annoying Man in the World". Fickman has directed such movies as "She's the Man" starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, "You Again" starring Kristen Bell and Sigourney Weaver, Disney's "The Game Plan" starring Dwayne Johnson, "Race to Witch Mountain" starring Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, and Alexander Ludwig.

Storyline:

High school basketball coach Pete Fickman marries the school psychologist Jodie Sullenger, and they each have two children of their own. Teens Alanna and Sticky are Pete’s kids, while teen Crystal and her 8 year old brother are Jodie’s kids. “Bits & Pieces” is told through 15 year old Alanna recounting all the family moments through comedic vignettes. She is “the popular girl,” beautiful and confident. Her younger teen brother Sticky – who’s nickname comes from his way with drumsticks – is going through the trial and error of finding his place in the world, and is often on the receiving end of his 8 year old step brother Brody’s pranks. And then there is Jodie’s teenage daughter Chrystal, who is a fun tomboyish girl that does not realize that she is quite pretty. The family dog Ratchet rounds out an extremely entertaining household that must learn to get along with each other, one way or another