Disney Introduces New Stars of the Upcoming Season

[Via etonline.com...]



Disney Channel has a new crop of youngsters for the next TV season and they were proud to introduce them (as well as the projects they're working on) at the network's upfronts yesterday in New York.

The event featured musical performances by Good Luck Charlie star Bridgit Mendler, Austin & Ally star Ross Lynch and Radio Disney's N.B.T. (Next Big Thing).

This marked the first red carpet event for Liv & Maddie star Dove Cameron (who is appearing in the Ashley Tisdale-produced movie Cloud 9), and she described the experience, saying, "Ever since I was negative 6-years-old, I've wanted to be here in this moment."

That moment included many sneak peeks presented by Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney Channels Worldwide.

Watch the video to get a glimpse at what's in store for Disney Channel, Disney XD, Radio Disney and Disney Junior.

2013 Disney Kids Upfront Announcement!

[Via Disney Channel Press Release...]

DISNEY CHANNELS WORLDWIDE PRESENTS PLAN TO BUILD ON ITS STRENGTH AT ANNUAL MEETING WITH ADVERTISERS

– Disney Junior Series are Tops, More Added to Popular Line-up;
24-hour Channel Will Begin Reporting Nielsen Ratings April 1, 2013 –

– Disney XD Booms, Expands its Popular Marvel Universe Block –

– Disney Channel Grows with Original Movies, Live Action and Animated Series, and Exciting New Cartoon Shorts Starring Mickey Mouse –

– Disney’s WATCH Apps Deliver More Than Half a Billion Video Views –

Buoyant after another year of record-setting ratings, Disney Channels Worldwide affirmed its plan to further build its creative and ratings strength, its audience engagement and its valuable multiplatform sales opportunities, today at Disney Media’s 2013-14 Kids Upfront presentation. Held at New York’s Hudson Theatre, many sponsors and advertisers attended the event with their children.

The evening included musical performances by the global sensation Bridgit Mendler (star of Disney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie” and a Gold-certified Hollywood Records recording artist) and popular actor and Hollywood Records recording artist Ross Lynch (“Austin & Ally,” “Teen Beach Movie” and the band R5) who performed his Radio Disney hit song, “Can You Feel It.” The show opened with a performance by Radio Disney’s N.B.T. (Next BIG Thing) season five winners Chloe & Halle. Crash, the mischievous puppet star of Disney XD’s sitcom “Crash & Bernstein,” crashed the presentation. Special on-stage appearances were made by teen superstar Laura Marano (“Austin & Ally”) and newcomer Dove Cameron (of two upcoming Disney Channel projects, the movie “Cloud 9″ and comedy series “Liv & Maddie.”)

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “We remain focused on delivering distinctively Disney quality programming to kids and families around world and are invigorated by the remarkable viewer response we’ve seen across all key demographics over the past year.”

Marsh announced that the 24-hour Disney Junior channel, which accepts select sponsorships, will begin reporting Nielsen ratings as of April 1, 2013. The channel marks its first anniversary this month.

The daily Disney Junior block on Disney Channel has emerged as the leader with four hit series for kids age 2-7 and their parents: “Doc McStuffins” (cable TV’s #1 series of 2012 among Kids 2-5, Girls 2-5 and Boys 2-5), “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” and “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” (each Top 3 contenders in Kids 2-5 and Boys 2-5) and the new series “Sofia the First” (the #1 cable TV series for both of its two months among Kids, Girls 2-5 and the #1 preschooler cable TV series in Total Viewers and Women 18-49. November 2012′s premiere of “Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess” was the #1 telecast in cable TV history in Kids 2-5 and Girls 2-5, and #1 preschooler cable TV telecast ever in Total Viewers and Women 18-49).

Marsh also told advertisers that Disney XD will expand its Marvel Universe programming block with two new animated series, one starring the hugely popular super hero The Hulk and another starring The Avengers. For 2012, Disney XD soared to its biggest year in the channel’s history (including its 10 years as Toon Disney) with original series including “Lab Rats,” “Kickin’ It” and “Crash & Bernstein,” and the animated Marvel Universe series “Ultimate Spider-Man.” Disney XD posted yearly ratings records (in both Primetime and Total Day) in Total Viewers and its targeted kid and boy demographics, 2-11, 6-14, 6-11 and 9-14, rising by solid margins over year-ago results. Marvel’s “Ultimate Spider-Man” season two debuted in January 2013 and to date, is Disney XD’s #1 animated series in Kids and Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11.

At the event, Marsh presented the first in an exciting series of cartoon shorts starring the endearing, adventurous and funny antics of Mickey Mouse, one of the most popular characters in the world. Produced by Disney Television Animation, the “Mickey Mouse” shorts preview beginning today, TUESDAY, MARCH 12 exclusively on Disney.com and will begin rolling out FRIDAY, JUNE 28 on Disney Channel, Disney.com and WATCH Disney Channel, among other platforms.

Rita Ferro, executive vice president, Disney Media Sales and Marketing, leads Disney’s powerful kids media sales enterprise through which marketers reach every part of the youth demographic and increasingly, a co-viewing Women 18-49 demographic. Ferro commented on the transformative ways in which audiences are engaging and extending the viewing experience. Disney Channels’ free WATCH apps — WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior and WATCH Disney XD — have logged more than 12 million downloads and over half a billion video views.

Ferro said, “Our programming is woven fully into the lives of kids, moms, dads and caregivers – who connect with our characters and stories across Disney Media, linear TV and otherwise. They watch it, listen to it, play with it and own it.” She continued, “Disney’s WATCH apps are game changers and provide our clients with another powerful way to reach our audience and connect their brands to Disney’s quality programming.”

Disney Channel made history with its 2012 #1 rank in Total Day among Kids 2-11, the primary demographic for advertisers (breaking the competition’s 17-year record at #1). Disney Channel, which accepts select sponsorships, was also the #1 TV network in Total Day among Kids 6-11 for the second consecutive year, and was #1 for the fourth year among Tweens 9-14. In Primetime, Disney Channel was #1 for the twelfth consecutive year in Tweens 9-14 and for the tenth straight year in Kids 6-11, and was among the Top 2 cable networks in Total Viewers for the seventh consecutive year. The blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie franchise produced TV’s #1 movie among Tweens 9-14 for the past 11 years.

The exciting 2013-14 slate also includes new episodes of the hit sitcoms “Good Luck Charlie,” “A.N.T. Farm,” “Jessie,” “Austin & Ally,” “Shake It Up” and “Dog With A Blog,” and the animated series “Gravity Falls” and “Phineas and Ferb” for Disney Channel; and new seasons of the Disney XD series “Kickin’ It,” “Lab Rats,” “Crash & Bernstein” and “Ultimate Spider-Man.” The upcoming new projects are:

“Liv & Maddie” (working title) – 17-year-old newcomer Dove Cameron plays the dual role of identical twins in this upcoming sitcom. Ms. Cameron will also star in “Cloud 9,” a Disney Channel Original Movie premiering in 2014 (see below). The series was created by John Beck and Ron Hart (both of “According to Jim”). John Peaslee, Andy Fickman (“The Game Plan,” “Race to Witch Mountain”) and Betsy Sullenger are also executive producers. Cameron plays identical twins — an outstanding student and school basketball phenomenon whose popularity is on the rise until her twin sister, a television star, makes a triumphant return to their Wisconsin high school. Also starring are: Benjamin King, Kali Rocha, Joey Bragg and Tenzing Norgay Trainor.

“Star and the Forces of Evil" (working title) – this animated comedy adventure introduces Star Butterfly, a fun-loving magical teen princess from another dimension who — after a few bold skirmishes with other-worldly monsters — is sent by her Royal Parents to live with the Diaz family on Earth. Eden Sher (ABC’s “The Middle”) provides the voice of the lead character. Production has begun for a scheduled Fall 2014 premiere. Artist and writer Daron Nefcy is the series creator and co-executive producer.  Dave Wasson is co-executive producer and director and Jordana Arkin is story editor.  The series is from Disney Television Animation.

"Teen Beach Movie"- the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise -- which introduced a generation of kids and tweens to movie musicals -- will premiere the highly anticipated "Teen Beach Movie," a modern take on classic beach party movies, FRIDAY, JULY 19 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT). Starring are Ross Lynch ("Austin & Ally" and Hollywood Records' R5) and Maia Mitchell (ABC Family's upcoming "The Fosters") as Brady and McKenzie, surfers who ride the last wave of summer, one that mysteriously takes them into a classic beach party movie, Wet Side Story. There, it's surfers versus bikers for control of the beach hangout...and everyone spontaneously breaks into song and dance. Brady and McKenzie must try to return to present day, but their lives may be changed forever when they inadvertently alter the movie's romantic storyline -- and the movie's handsome surf guy Tanner is now falling for McKenzie while biker girl Lela swoons for Brady. Also starring are: Grace Phipps ("The Nine Lives of Chloe King"), Garrett Clayton, John DeLuca, Chrissie Fit ("General Hospital"), Kevin Chamberlin ("Jessie") and Steve Valentine ("Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie"). The movie was directed by Jeffrey Hornaday (Disney Channel's "Geek Charming," choreographer of "A Chorus Line," "Flashdance") who also choreographed with Chris Scott ("Lemonade Mouth," "Step Up 4"). David Buelow ("Bring It On: Fight to the Finish") is the executive producer and Robert F. Phillips ("Teen Spirit," "Valkyrie") is the producer.

"Cloud 9" - multi-talented Ashley Tisdale and snowboarding superstar Shaun White are the executive producers of this Disney Channel Original Movie, an exhilarating story set in the world of competitive snowboarding. Starring Luke Benward ("Girl Vs. Monster") and newcomer Dove Cameron (who also stars in an upcoming Disney Channel series "Liv & Maddie" - working title), the movie is scheduled to premiere next winter on Disney Channel. "Cloud 9" is directed by three-time DGA Award winner Paul Hoen ("Let It Shine," "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,"). In addition to White and Tisdale, the movie is executive-produced by Jessica Rhoades ("Under Construction," "Beauty & the Briefcase") and Kirkland Tibbels.

"Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel" - the highly-anticipated animated adventure that assembles characters from two hugely popular Disney and Marvel franchises, "Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel," premieres this summer on Disney Channel and Disney XD. Marking the first crossover animated special for Marvel and Disney properties, the epic television event will follow Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk as they enter Danville after Dr. Doofenshmirtz's latest "inator" scheme accidentally removes their powers and immobilizes them. Now it's up to Phineas and Ferb to team up with the Marvel Super Heroes to help them regain their powers and defeat Marvel Super Villains - Red Skull, Whiplash, Venom and M.O.D.O.K. - who are working together with Dr. Doofenshmirtz to use his power-draining technology to create mayhem. "Phineas and Ferb" creators and executive producers Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh designed Marvel's Super Heroes and Super Villains including Red Skull, Whiplash, Venom and M.O.D.O.K. to fit the Danville world of the Emmy Award-winning series. It is a production of Disney Television Animation. 

"Wander Over Yonder" - premiering in summer 2013, this animated comedy, created, directed and executive-produced by Emmy-winning producer Craig McCracken ("The Powerpuff Girls", "Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends"), is 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"). "Wander Over Yonder" is a production of Disney Television Animation.

DISNEY XD

"Marvel's Avengers Assemble" - This animated series follows the great adventures of Marvel's favorite super heroes, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow and Falcon. A special one-hour preview will be presented SUNDAY, MAY 26, followed by the series premiere on SUNDAY, JULY 7. Starring are Adrian Pasdar as Iron Man, Fred Tatasciore reprising his role as Hulk, Roger Craig Smith as Captain America, Travis Willingham as Thor, Troy Baker as Hawkeye, Laura Bailey as Black Widow and Bumper Robinson as Falcon. Man of Action Studios ("Ben 10," "Generator Rex") -- comprised of Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle -- are executive producers.

"Hulk and the Agents S.M.A.S.H." - in this never before seen team up of Hulk, his cousin She-Hulk, A-Bomb, Red Hulk and Skaar, Marvel's mightiest super heroes form an eccentric family living under one roof, working together to tackle threats that are too enormous for other heroes to handle. From trying to house break their giant red pet T-Rex to stopping Ego the Living Planet from crashing into the Earth, the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. must learn to balance Hulk-sized action with everyday family-sized problems. The series premieres SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 (11:00 a.m., ET/PT). Starring are: Fred Tatasciore as Hulk, Clancy Brown as Red Hulk, Eliza Dushku as She-Hulk, Ben Diskin as Skaar and Seth Green as A-Bomb. The creative talents of Paul Dini ("Batman: The Animated Series," "Lost") and Henry Gilroy ("Star Wars: The Clone Wars") have been tapped for this series.

DISNEY JUNIOR

"Henry Hugglemonster" - this animated series, premiering in April on the 24-hour Disney Junior channel, follows the adventures of fun-loving five-year-old Henry Hugglemonster, the middle child in a madcap monster family. Based on the book series I'm a Happy Hugglewug by Niamh Sharkey, the series is produced by Brown Bag Films ("Doc McStuffins"). The guest voice cast includes Geri Halliwell, Brenda Blethyn and Brain Blessed. Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell are the executive producers, along with Niamh Sharkey. The series is a production of the Brown Bag Films ("Doc McStuffins").

"Sheriff Callie's Wild West" - this animated series, debuting in September 2013 on the 24-hour Disney Junior channel and programming block, is the first western for preschoolers, with Mandy Moore (Disney's "Tangled") as the voice of a kitty cat sheriff whose job is to ensure that the town of Nice and Friendly Corners remains the friendliest town in the West. The series was created by Denis Morella and George Evelyn and developed for television by Holly Huckins. Morella, Evelyn and Huckins serve as executive producers. It is a production of DHX Media in association with Disney Junior.

"The 7D" - this animated series presents an innovative, comedic look at the Seven Dwarfs before Snow White's arrival, this time in a contemporary storybook world designed for viewers age 2-7 and their families. Slated to debut in 2014 on Disney Junior channels and programming blocks around the world, it takes place in the whimsical world of Jollywood, where Queen Delightful relies on the 7D - Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy and Doc - to keep the kingdom in order. Standing in their way are two laughably evil villains, Grim and Hildy Gloom, who plot to take over the kingdom by stealing the magical jewels in the 7D's mine. With seven very distinct personalities, the 7D always manage to save the day and send Grim and Hildy running back to their evil lair to try another day. The executive producer is Tom Ruegger. Alfred Gimeno is the director and Sherri Stoner is the story editor. The characters are designed by Noah Z. Jones. The series is from Disney Television Animation.

RADIO DISNEY

Reaching more than 22 million listeners every week, over 7 million of them Women 18+, Radio Disney is the #1, 24-hour radio network devoted to kids, tweens and families. It's available on 31 owned terrestrial radio stations and via RadioDisney.com, Sirius XM satellite radio, iTunes Radio Tuner, mobile phones, the Radio Disney iPhone and Android Apps, and the Radio Disney Facebook page. Each year, Radio Disney stations activate over 5000 local events in markets throughout the country.

Radio Disney Music Awards - the most popular recording artists among kids and tweens will be celebrated during this event, SATURDAY, APRIL 27, at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. Selena Gomez, Cher Lloyd, Bridgit Mendler, Cody Simpson, Austin Mahone and Coco Jones are scheduled to perform at the event. Recognizing viewing habits of its young demographic, kids and tweens who utilize digital platforms and new technology to discover and listen to music, Radio Disney will present the Radio Disney Music Awards in segments, across multiple platforms -- on Vevo and on Disney Channel, Radio Disney, RadioDisney.com and Disney.com.

Radio Disney's NBT (Next BIG Thing) - entering it sixth season, "N.B.T." is the multi-platform program that puts the spotlight on young recording artists to provide them with national broadcast and online exposure, and gives them the opportunity to perform in multiple cities through a concert tour. Radio Disney and Disney Channel audiences look, listen and vote for their favorite artist at RadioDisney.com, Radio Disney's Facebook page and Twitter, and via text.

Disney Gears Up for Kids Upfront Event

[Via variety.com...]

Disney’s Kids Upfront event on Tuesday at Gotham’s Hudson Theater could well be a victory lap as the mothership Disney Channel reigns in the kidvid realm as the No. 1 net among tykes 2-11 and 6-11.

The Mouse House comes to Madison Avenue in search of sponsor partnerships for Disney Channel, which still does not carry traditional blurbs but opts for “select sponsorships.” The same is true for the fledgling Disney Jr. cabler aimed at the pre-K set. The boy-centric Disney XD is fully ad-supported.

Even with the recent departure of signature series such as “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Hannah Montana,” Disney Channel maintains a tight grip on kids and preteens with its series and telepics. Animated smash “Phineas and Ferb” and the live-action “Good Luck Charlie” remain pillars of the sked.

In 2012, Disney Channel was TV’s No. 1 network in total day for the first time among kids 2-11 and for the second consecutive year in kids 6-11. And it’s carrying that success into the new year, ruling as the top place for kids 2-11, kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14.

“Austin & Ally” is TV’s No. 1 series 2013 to date in kids 2-11, while “Phineas & Ferb” is No. 1 among animated series with kids 2-11, 6-11 and 9-14.

Among the anticipated offerings for the coming year is “Girl Meets World,” the live-action sequel series to the 1990s ABC sitcom “Boy Meets World.” The Mouse will also give a big push to rising tween star Dove Cameron, with the telepic “Cloud 9” and series “Liv and Maddie” coming in the fall.

Disney XD is coming off a year of ratings gains, thanks in part to live-action laffers including “Crash and Bernstein” (whose puppet star will make an appearance with Disney Channel Worldwide topper Gary Marsh on stage at the Hudson), “Lab Rats” and “Kickin’ It,” along with Marvel toon series. Disney XD is ramping up its Marvel presence even more this year with new series “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble” and “Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.,” slated to debut on July 7 and Aug. 11, respectively.

In 2012, Disney XD delivered its most-watched year in the network’s history in both total day and primetime in all kid demographics plus total viewers.

Meanwhile, the Disney Junior channel marks its first birthday this month. The channel is celebrating its first home-grown hit, the animated “Sofia the First.” The extension of Disney Jr. to a standalone net is part of Disney’s cradie-to-college strategy of ensuring strong exposure among kids and teens for key properties across the Disney-branded cablers and offshoots such as the Radio Disney music service.

Dominant as the Mouse House nets are, they still faces competition for boy viewers from Cartoon Network and for teens from Nickelodeon. At its upfront event last month, Nickelodeon execs unveiled a big “hit the reset button” push in an effort to reverse its recent ratings slide.

Disney Channel Puts Spotlight on Dove Cameron with Series, Movie (EXCLUSIVE)

[Via variety.com...]

Disney Channel is putting its weight behind its next homegrown star: Dove Cameron.

The 17-year-old will star in Disney Channel’s new series “Liv & Maddie” and telepic “Cloud 9,” executive produced by Ashley Tisdale and Shaun White.

The new projects will be revealed next week in New York City at Disney’s upfront event, where the Mouse House will present plans to grow its young fanbase across Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney.

In the sitcom “Liv & Maddie,” Cameron will play identical twins — one, a popular television star whose hit show has just finished its run, and Maddie, an outstanding student and school basketball phenomenon whose popularity is on the rise until Liv makes a triumphant return to their Wisconsin high school. Complicating their lives even more is that their parents both work at the school.

“According to Jim’s” John Beck and Ron Hart created and executive produce the series through It’s a Laugh Prods, which begins production in April for a fall premiere. Andy Fickman (“The Game Plan,” “Race to Witch Mountain”), John Peaslee and Betsy Sullenger also serve as executive producers, while Fickman will direct episodes.

Standup comic Joey Bragg, and newcomer Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Benjamin King, Kali Rocha co-star.

Set in the world of pro-snowboarding, “Cloud 9” revolves around a prima donna snowboarder who is unceremoniously dropped from her team and forced to train with a snowboarding champ (“Girl vs. Monster’s” Luke Benward) who’s struggling after a career-ending injury and humiliated by a wipeout video that’s gone viral.

Film, penned by Justin Ware, Don D. Scott (“Let It Shine,” “Barbershop”) and Katie Wech, bows this winter on Disney Channel.
Paul Hoen (“Let it Shine”) directed the film, produced by Salty Pictures and Blondie Girl Prods, which also features Disney Channel stars Kiersey Clemons, Mike Manning, Patrick Fabian,

Amy Farrington, and Jeffrey Nordling. Jessica Rhoades and Kirkland Tibbels also serve as exec producers.

Disney Channels Worldwide is coming off of another strong ratings year. Disney Channel was tops among kids 2-11 for the first time in 2012, and for the second consecutive year among kids 6-11 and tweens.

Disney Channel sees “Liv & Maddie” as a way to “experiment with the multi-camera format,” said Adam Bonnett, Disney Channel’s senior VP of original programming.
But with the same actress playing two roles, it’s also a way to introduce a Disney star after recently launching “A.N.T. Farm’s” China Anne McClain; Cole Jensen of “Crash & Bernstein”;

“Good Luck Charlie’s” Bridgit Mendler; “Jessie’s” Debby Ryan; “Kickin’ It’s” Leo Howard and Olivia Holt; “Lab Rats’” Spencer Boldman and Tyrel Jackson Williams; the “High School Musical” cast, Shia LaBeouf, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez before that.

Before Disney Channel, Cameron guest starred on episodes of “The Mentalist” and “Shameless.”

“We’ve challenged one very talented teen with the opportunity to play two sitcom roles simultaneously, and we’re confident that she will continue our track record of presenting relatable characters and comedic stories for a generation of kids and families,” Bonnett said.

Disney Channel Upfront Announcement To Be Held On March 12, 2013

According to Medialife Magazine, Disney Channel will be making their Upfront announcement on March 12, 2013. The Upfront event is a presentation that will cover the 2013 - 2014 season for Disney Channels Worldwide - Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior. Last year, at the 2012 Upfront event, Disney Channel announced Shake It Up: Made In Japan, Good Luck Charlie Season 3 and DCOMs (Disney Channel Original Movies) Teen Beach Musical, Girl Vs Monster and Let It Shine. It is predicted that at this years Upfront event Disney Channel will announce details of the Girl Meets World pilot, further details on DCOM Teen Beach Movie, the JESSIE Movie, DCOM: Cloud Nine, and possible upcoming shows such as Bits & Pieces, Fantasma, I Didn't Do It and the Disney XD show Kirby Gates.

Disney Channel Upfront 2012 (March 2012) Press Release

via Disney Channel press release:


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.