Upfront 2013: Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior
We’ve got kids news covered for you daily during Upfront season…
Disney Upfront: Disney’s been on a ratings high, and it’s wooing advertisers not only across content silos Disney Channel, Disney Junior and boy-focused Disney XD but across platforms, particularly its Watch Disney suite of authenticated TVE products. “We’re having many more conversations with advertisers about Watch…We want kids to be able to find content the same way they see it on screen,” Disney EVP, media sales and marketing Rita Ferro told CynKids before the Upfront. Look for increased cross-pollination of brands across platforms, like Disney Junior Night Light bloggers photographer Me Ra Koh and chef Helen Cavallo getting more play on the website, television and via Internet video, Ferro said. Disney is also playing up co-viewing, and strengthening advertising categories including automotive, insurance and hospitality because of it. Advertiser growth in these categories, she added, “speaks to the co-viewing opportunity, and the influence kids have on family decisions these days.” “We have the top four cable TV series for preschoolers and, even better, moms are watching, too,” added Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.
Among new programming announcements:
- A series of 2D Mickey Mouse animated shorts will roll out June 28 on Disney Channel, Disney.com and Watch Disney Channel.
- 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.
- Sheriff Callie’s Wild West: This animated series, debuting in September 2013 on Disney Junior is the first western for preschoolers, with Mandy Moore (Disney’s “Tangled”) as the voice of a kitty cat sheriff. 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. “It’s the Andy Griffith show for the pre-school set,” says Marsh.
- Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel: Watch for this animated adventure, which assembles characters from two 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. “Phineas and Ferb” creators and executive producers Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh designed Marvel’s Super Heroes and Super Villains to fit the Danville world of the Emmy Award-winning series. It is a production of Disney Television Animation.
- Look for the new live action show, Girl Meets World. The pilot is being shot next month, and is a new twist on Disney’s Boy Meets World.
