Disney Junior will reboot its Emmy Award-winning series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in 2025 as part of a slate of new and returning content announced Friday (August 18).

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.0, a new iteration of the series that ran from 2006 to 2016 on the Disney Channel, will see the clubhouse expand with a brand-new area just for Minnie Mouse as well as the addition of new characters, according to the network. 

Disney Junior also announced two Halloween-themed Mickey Mouse specials, including Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats, debuting October 1 on Disney Junior, Disney Channel and Disney XD, and Mickey Mouse Funhouse, premiering September 26. The network will offer other holiday-themed specials based its originals shows, including SuperKitties (September 25), Pupstruction (September 27), and Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends (September 15).

On the casting front, Disney Junior has tapped Raven’s Home star Mykal-Michelle Harris to voice the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming Disney Junior Ariel series debuting in 2024. Also lending their voices to the series are actors Taye Diggs and Amber Riley.

Also, the network’s animated Robogorbo series premiering in 2024 will feature the voices of such stars as Cynthia Erivo, Valerie Bertinelli, Alan Cumming, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Dule Hill. 

Disney Junior also announced the September 6 premiere of short-form special, Doc McStuffins: The Doc & Bella Are In, as well as the November sophomore season premiere of Firebugs, and the November 8 debut of new Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures episodes.

Alyssa Sapire,  senior VP, development, Series and Strategy at Disney Branded Television,  has been named to lead content development and strategy for Disney Junior.across linear and streaming platforms.

Sapphire has been acting head since March and has been with Disney since 2016. She reports to Disney Branded Television President Ayo Davis and replaces Joe D’Ambrosia, who moved to Sony’s Silvergate Media.

"Alyssa is a dedicated champion of the power of storytelling and the absolute right leader for the Disney Junior brand," said Davis. "She has assembled a best-in-class team and developed an incredibly strong content slate with one overarching goal: to create magical, memorable stories that provide joy, stoke curiosity and live in the hearts of young audiences everywhere."

Sapphire designated Kim Berglund, VP of development, to lead development for Disney Junior; while current programming will be co-led by Diane Ikemiyashiro, both VP of current series. 

"Kim, Lori and Diane bring distinct creative viewpoints, relationships with the best and brightest creative talent, and an immense respect and care for the brand and our audience to Disney Junior every day. They have all been incredible partners to me, and I'm thrilled to see them expand their leadership roles," Sapire said.

Before joining Disney. Sapire was VP of development and programming for FremantleMedia Kids & Family Group. She was also with Nickelodeon for 10 years, helping to launch Noggin and Teen Nick. She started her career at WNET-TV, New York. 

"It’s been an honor to contribute to a brand that plays such an important role in the lives of so many," said Sapire. "As we look to the future, we will continue to thoughtfully evolve Disney Junior to meet our audiences where they're at, while drawing on nearly 100 years of The Walt Disney Company's magical storytelling to inspire the imaginations of preschoolers and their families everywhere."  ■

Animated series Firebuds premieres on Disney Channel and Disney Junior Wednesday, Sept. 21. The show features a crew of first-responder kids and their talking vehicle sidekicks. 

Craig Gerber created the show, and the inspiration came from his son Beau. Beau was 3 when the idea was first hatched. 

“He was obsessed with fire trucks,” Gerber told B+C. “He’d carry around a toy fire truck like it was his best friend. It got me thinking, how excited would he be if a fire truck came to life?”

One of the children on Firebuds is named for Beau, though the character spells his name Bo. Bo, Violet and Jayden are all children of first responders. Each kid has a toy vehicle, known as their roommate, that they keep close to them. Bo has fire engine Flash (“wears his heart on his fender,” Gerber said); Violet has ambulance Axl (“a bit reckless,” Gerber said); and Jayden has cautious police car Piston (“never met a rule he didn’t want to follow,” said Gerber). 

Bo’s father is Filipino and his mother is Jewish. Violet is Japanese and is adopted, with two mothers. Jayden is Black and his parents are police officers. 

Gerber’s other shows include Elena of Avalor and Sofia the First. 

There are some big names in the voice cast, including Padma Lakshmi of Top Chef as Chef Pavani; Melissa Rauch of The Big Bang Theory (and NBC’s Night Court reboot) as Beth; Oscar Nuñez of The Office as Chef Fernando; José Andrés, who runs World Central Kitchen, which delivers food to people in disaster-stricken areas, as Chef Al; Pamela Adlon of Better Things as Principal Kagan; “Weird Al” Yankovic as Latch; and Lisa Loeb as Laura. 

Regarding Laksmi, Gerber said he has seen every Top Chef episode. “When we started having characters that were going to be chefs and going to be food trucks, she popped into mind,” he said. 

With respect to Yankovic, Gerber has been a fan since childhood (“I was one of those kids buying ‘Eat It’ on a cassette tape,” he said). He has long wanted to do a show about a traveling troubadour (“don’t ask me why,” he said), and the parts of an Airstream trailer and the musician who rides in it came up in Firebuds. “We wanted to find someone who can sing, and someone who could also be very funny, who inspires both laughs and pathos,” Gerber said. “Weird Al was the perfect choice.”

Yankovic is the pessimistic trailer (“an oil can-half-empty kind of guy,” said Gerber), and Loeb is the musician. “We have two folks who are actual, real musicians voicing these characters,” Gerber said. 

The show’s music, with hints of rock and jazz and funk and some flute tossed in, is distinctive. Beau Black is the series songwriter and Frederik Wiedmann is the composer. “I always want to put forward songs that stand on their own as songs,” Gerber said. “I want the parents to be able to enjoy these as legitimate songs.”

Disney Television Animation produces Firebuds. Episodes can be streamed on Disney Plus. 

Each episode features two 11-minute stories that showcase teamwork and volunteerism, and celebrate first responders. “I want kids, and adults, to be inspired by the selflessness that the Firebuds and their parents show,” Gerber said, “and then bring that out to the world.” ■

Me & Mickey, a series of vlog-style video shorts featuring Mickey Mouse, premieres Monday, June 27. Three shorts will be featured on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney Junior YouTube and DisneyNow. 

One new short will roll out weekly for the rest of the year.

In the videos, Mickey invites preschoolers to play along as he talks about everyday topics familiar to their lives, including morning and nighttime routines and packing a backpack. Mickey engages viewers in games and challenges like "Super Silly Stare Off," "Talk Like a Pirate" and "Super Silly Dance Party."  

Future episodes will highlight the back-to-school season, Halloween, Diwali and Thanksgiving, and will occasionally feature original songs. ■

Disney Junior announced that it will be adding four new series that will appear on Disney Plus and Disney Junior through 2024.

The programming slate was announced at Disney Junior Fun Fest, a one-day event occurring at Disney California Adventure on Friday. 

Also announced was the renewal of Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, and the launch date for new seasons of Eureka on June 22; Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends in August and Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Pirate Adventure summer tentpole to air in August.

"Disney Junior is already home to some of the most beloved preschool programming, and today, we have unveiled the next slate of content that is sure to entertain preschool kids for years to come," said Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis. "As with Disney Junior's current slate, each of these projects is unique, inspiring and encompasses all of the brand values that have come to represent Disney Junior over the last decade — storytelling with heart that resonates with both kids and parents. From beloved icons such as Mickey and Spidey to new stories and characters, this slate further solidifies Disney Junior as the home for preschoolers." 

The new series getting greenlit  are Hey A.J., inspired by NFL player Martellus Bennett’s family; Kindergarten: The Musical, a musical series with music by Kay Hanley, Michelle Lewis, Dan Petty and Charlton Pettus; RoboGobo, about a team of robot rescue pets and SuperKitties from Silvergate Media.

Disney spilled some casting news, announcing that John Stamos will be the voice of Iron Man in Spidey; Lou Diamond Phillips and Yvette Nicole Brown join the cast of Firebuds; and Justina Machado, Bobby Moynihan, Eric Bauza and Kari Wahlgren joined the cast of Pupstruction. ■

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, an animated series for preschoolers, premieres on Disney Channel and Disney Junior February 9. Episodes are also available on Disney Plus starting on that day. 

Disney calls the show “a vibrant new take on the classic 1951 film” that centers on Alice, the great-granddaughter of the original heroine and a budding baker at the Wonderland Bakery, where her treats bring a new generation of friends and families together. 

Lewis Carroll published Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 1865. 

Libby Rue voices Alice. Abigail Estrella voices Princess Rosa, CJ Uy is Hattie, Jack Stanton is Fergie the White Rabbit and Secunda Wood voices Cookie. 

Craig Ferguson is a guest star, voicing Doorknob. Vanessa Bayer, Bobby Moynihan, Donald Faison and Ana Gasteyer also lend their voices.  

Alice's Wonderland Bakery is produced by Disney Television Animation. Chelsea Beyl is executive producer.

Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing will debut a Just Play product line inspired by the series. ■

Disney Junior has ordered season two of Mickey Mouse Funhouse, which premiered in August. Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto are the stars, as is new character Funny, a talking playhouse. Harvey Guillen voices Funny.  

"The enduring love for Mickey Mouse and friends continues to be shared from generation to generation, and we are eager to provide more opportunities for preschool audiences and their families to connect with these beloved characters,” said Joe D'Ambrosia, senior VP, original programming, and general manager, Disney Junior. “We look forward to showcasing new fun-filled destinations in season two for young viewers to explore and expand their imaginations."

Targeting kids ages 2-7 and their families, Mickey Mouse Funhouse had John Stamos, Richard Kind, Jenifer Lewis, Mickey Guyton and Jaime Camil in the voice cast in season one. 

Phil Weinstein is executive producer and supervising director, Thomas Hart is co-executive producer and supervising story editor, and Mark Drop is story editor. Weinstein spoke about the series on the podcast Series Business. 

The first six episodes will begin streaming on Disney Plus Nov. 10. 

Mickey Mouse Funhouse is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Halloween movie Mickey’s Tale of Two Witches premieres on Disney Junior Oct. 7, and becomes available on Disney Plus a day later. The hour-long movie showcases Minnie the Wonderful and Daisy Doozy, witches-in-training who must pass four tests to graduate from the Witch Academy in Happy Haunt Hills. While Daisy isn't confident about passing, she and Minnie join forces, along with Count Mickula and the gang, to defeat a mischievous ghost. 

Premiering later on in 2021 is movie Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas.

Rob LaDuca and Mark Seidenberg are executive producers on both films. Mickey and Minnie stay timely throughout the ages, the men said. “Their personalities cross generations,” said LaDuca. “Personality-wise they’re the same Mickey and Minnie you’ve loved forever.”

Seidenberg describes Mickey as “everybody’s best friend” and Minnie as “the sweetest person ever.”

“Rob and I are very respectful to the heritage,” he added. “We always want to make sure we push that sense of optimism and friendship.”

LaDuca and Seidenberg have worked together for some 30 years, dating back to Disney’s Gummi Bears animated series. “We’ve been around the block a few times,” said LaDuca, who focuses on animation while Seidenberg oversees story.

LaDuca said the producers had the time, and budget, to do some unique things with the animation. “We wanted to make it more special,” he said. “More shadowing, more color, make it more cinematic. We pushed the envelope in certain ways, compared to the TV show.” 

Both film projects offer lots of original music. LaDuca and Seidenberg both admitted they tear up when Minnie sings a certain song in the Christmas movie. 

The films’ stars remain popular with kids. “We just stay true to Mickey and Minnie,” said LaDuca. “Their global popularity is evident. We don’t need to change with the times. They’re timeless characters.”

Disney Branded Television has promoted programming executive Ayo Davis as its new president, succeeding departing president Gary Marsh. 

Davis, currently executive VP for creative development and strategy for Disney Branded Television, will oversee the operations the company, including programming, strategy, development, casting, business affairs and marketing for scripted, unscripted and animation across Disney Plus, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior.

Davis succeeds Marsh, who earlier this week announced he was leaving the position to launch a new production company. The two will work closely on a transition through the rest of the year, Disney said. 

Read Also: Disney Junior Calls on Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse to Help Drive Preschool Viewership

Davis, a 20-year Disney veteran, was promoted to her current position in November 2020 after previously serving as executive VP, talent and casting, at ABC Entertainment and Disney Plus. In her most recent position, Davis cultivated a partnership with Kerry Washington’s Simpson Street Productions to adapt Janae Marks’s book From the Desk of Zoe Washington, and attached Eva Longoria and Ben Spector’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment to Carlos Hernandez’s Sal & Gabi Break the Universe.  She is also responsible for helping to bring in House of Secrets filmmaker Chris Columbus. Davis also collaborates closely with studios across Disney, including 20th Television and ABC Signature.

Davis will report to Disney chairman of General Entertainment Content Peter Rice, who in a statement called Davis “a focused leader” with impeccable creative instincts.

“Her creative eye for talent has made meaningful impact in front of and behind the camera, from iconic shows across our networks that were defined by their casting choices to building a roster of creator talent that will redefine family programming at Disney Branded Television,“ Rice said. ”She’s the absolute perfect person to lead the team at a time they are broadening their remit to develop more family programming across streaming and cable distribution. I’m excited to watch all she will accomplish.”

Added Davis: “I am beyond grateful to Peter Rice and Gary Marsh for their extraordinary leadership, support and mentorship. It’s a tremendous honor to continue Gary’s legacy of delighting kids and families through Disney Branded TV’s unparalleled storytelling, and it’s an amazing time for kids and family programming. I’m thrilled to continue working with my team, colleagues, our TV studios and, of course, the creators who trust us with their projects as we work to develop the next generation of beloved stories and franchises.” 

Disney Junior has tapped an iconic Disney character and a Marvel superhero to help drive young viewers to the channel. 

The preschool-targeted service last week (Aug. 20) launched animated series Mickey Mouse Funhouse on the heels of its Aug. 6 debut of animated series Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends -- two new shows that Disney executives believe will appeal to young viewers and their parents.

“Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man are two of the most iconic characters in the world, and we have both of them as part of the Disney canon of IP (intellectual property),” Disney Branded Television president and CCO Gary Marsh told Multichannel News. “We’ve done a number of Mickey Mouse pre-school shows, but Spider-Man is really unique because we’ve spent a lot of time working with our partners at Marvel.” 

Disney Junior recently renewed Spidey and his Amazing Friends -- which follows the adventures of Marvel's Spider-Man, Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther as they learn about the value of teamwork -- for a second season after the show debuted as the most watched on the channel among kids 2 to 5 years old.

Series Business: Phil Weinstein on Keeping Mickey Fun and Fresh on Disney Junior's 'Mickey Mouse Funhouse'

Marsh said the two series along with the network’s other original shows will help the network stand out in a crowded pre-school TV marketplace that now includes streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max along with such linear channels as Nick Jr. 

“Disney Junior has been the number one preschool network since its launch, but what’s happened is that competitors have taken note of that,” he said. “Everybody has recognized that if you make that connection early, it’s very powerful. That’s why it’s great for us to be able to mine the Disney IP and reinvent it.” 

Marsh said the network will continue to look for opportunities to work with Marvel on future shows targeted to younger audiences. Disney Branded Television is currently working on a Marvel-themed series, Marvel’s Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur, which follows the adventures of a teenage super genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur. Actor Laurence Fishburne (black-ish) is set to executive produce the event, which is slated for the tween-targeted Disney Channel. 

“What I’m excited about is that Spidey and his Amazing Friends is the entry vehicle,” he said. “This is how we bring the youngest kids in our audience into the Marvel universe in a way that’s completely age appropriate. I think that kind of door will open wider for us to play with more of their content.”

Beyond Disney Junior, Marsh said that he was also bullish about the prospects for Disney Channel, which on Feb. 13 premiered its latest original movie Spin as well as new baking competition show Disney’s Magic Bake-Off. The network in October will develop a reboot of its 1997 first original movie, Under Wraps as well as animated series The Ghost and Molly McGee.

He also said the addition of the Disney Plus streaming service has helped draw new viewers to both current and classic Disney Channel content. The streaming service also provides a platform for Disney to promote new and existing shows that ultimately tie back to the linear channel. 

Marsh pointed to the January 2021 launch of Disney Channel’s serialized series Secrets of Sulphur Springs, which began streaming on Disney Plus after the first six episodes aired on the linear channel. Marsh said the series drew strong viewership on Disney Plus while maintaining its audience for the final four original episodes on Disney Channel. The series was renewed for a second season this past April. 

“There’s been a debate as to whether putting things on Disney Plus cannibalizes linear viewing, but I think it’s clear to us that it’s additive,” Marsh said. 

Series Business is a new podcast from Broadcasting+Cable and Multichannel News, featuring candid conversations with executive producers about launching a new show or new season.

In our latest installment, Broadcasting + Cable's Mike Malone chats with Phil Weinstein about keeping Mickey fun and fresh on Disney Junior's Mickey Mouse Funhouse.

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Disney Junior has renewed its original series Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends for a second season, a little more than a week after launching the series.

The series -- the first full-length Marvel-based series for preschoolers -- currently ranks as the network’s most watched series with kids 2 to 5 since its Aug. 6 debut, said the network. Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends follows the adventures of Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales as they team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock and Green Goblin and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day, said the network. 

"After just a week and a half into the launch of Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends, we are already seeing how well the series is resonating with preschoolers and their families,” said Joe D'Ambrosia, senior vice president, original programming and general manager for Disney Junior in a statement. “With this season two order, we're excited to continue our collaboration with Marvel and bring even more stories of friendship and cooperation, and of course, exciting adventures with Team Spidey, to our young audience."

In other Disney Junior news, the network has greenlit a new series, Pupstruction from producer Travis Braun as part of an overall development deal between the Emmy Award-nominated writer and producer and Disney to produce both animated and live-action content across linear and streaming platforms for Disney Branded Television. 

Read Also: Disney Plus' 'What If ...?' Series Reimagines the Marvel Cinematic Universe 

Season three of preschool animated series Gigantosaurus premiered on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW Aug. 9. Dinosaur best pals Rocky, Bill, Tiny and Mazu are the stars. 

The season introduces new dinosaur characters, including Spinosaurus, who is almost as big as the title character, and the Incisivosaurus Missy, the maze guardian. An array of musical sequences accompanies the dinosaur frolic. 

Season two, which premiered on Disney Junior in January, debuts on Disney Plus Aug. 25. 

“Audiences just love Gigantosaurus and this upcoming season will give children more of what resonates best about the series: new dinos and lots of action, as well as hilarious and heartwarming stories,” said Olivier Lelardoux, senior VP studio, associate producer and director of the series. “We’re very excited to bring this mix of fantasy, fun and science to kids and families.”

Cyber Group Studios produces the show. 

Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends premieres on Disney Junior Aug. 6. 

The show, targeting preschoolers, tells the story of Peter Parker, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy as kids. They form Team Spidey and protect their community from the likes of Doc Ock, Rhino and Goblin. The show “models the importance of teamwork and helping others and highlights themes of friendship, cooperation and problem-solving,” according to Disney Junior. 

Harrison Wilcox is the executive producer. He said Spiderman--and the young Spidey--are well suited for kids. “Marvel and Disney Junior recognized a really fantastic opportunity to create a Spiderman series for preschoolers,” he said, “Spidey being the original kids superhero.”

The show is reminiscent of Spiderman comics from the '60s, Wilcox said. “It’s something that fans of all ages can enjoy,” he added. “Anyone who grew up with Marvel will recognize the appeal of the show. If they have kids of their own, they will enjoy watching it through their children’s fresh eyes.”

Peter lives with his aunt, who does not know her nephew has some unique powers. The absence of his parents is not explained on the show. 

The villains are more naughty than nasty, Wilcox said. Each has a unique personality and set of powers. “No villain goes to jail at the end of the episode,” said Wilcox. “They get webbed up or escape to return another day.”

Wilcox previously worked on Marvel's Avengers: Black Panther's Quest. The writers’ room is a mix of Marvel vets and non-Marvel pre-school alum. They worked together well, said Wilcox: “You put different people with different backgrounds together, and that’s how you come up with good stories.”

Every once in a while, an idea would pop up in the room late in the day, and all the pieces would come together quickly. “The character arc, the message, the plot, the villain motivation--it would all click into place immediately,” said Wilcox. “Those are the most fun for me in terms of seeing those come through the pipeline.”

Patrick Stump, lead singer in Fall Out Boy, composed and performed the theme song. “We were so excited and fortunate to get to work with him,” said Wilcox. Stump came in to speak with the producers, and the song came back a short while later, ready to go.

“He’s a lifelong Marvel fan,” said Wilcox.

PBS premieres documentary Billy Graham, about the life of the influential religious leader, May 17. “From modest beginnings on a North Carolina farm, Graham rose to prominence with a fiery preaching style, movie-star good looks and effortless charm,” said PBS. “His early fundamentalist sermons harnessed the apocalyptic anxieties of a post-atomic world, exhorting audiences to adopt the only possible solution: devoting one’s life to Christ.”

Director Sarah Colt has previously tackled documentaries on Henry Ford and Walt Disney. A film about religion, she said, is a tricky proposition. “It was a combination of excitement and, ‘Oh God, how are we gonna do this?’ ” she said. 

There is tons of publicly available resource material on Graham, according to Colt. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte, she added, is “a treasure trove.”

Some viewers of Billy Graham will be people of deep faith. Others will be atheists. The challenge for the project, Colt said, was finding the middle ground in the storytelling. 

Billy Graham runs for a little less than two hours. Graham died in 2018, but evangelism continues to have substantial sway in American society. Said Colt, “It’s a great story for understanding the role of religion in 20th-century politics.”

The Chicken Squad has begun on Disney Junior, a show about a trio of chicken siblings, Coop, Sweetie and Boo, fixing problems and solving mysteries in their backyard. The Chicken Squad is inspired by Doreen Cronin’s children’s books. 

Tom Rogers is executive producer and showrunner. He read the Cronin books and “fell in love with them instantly,” he said. “They took me back to stories I used to love when I was a kid.”

The voice cast includes Yvette Nicole Brown, Ramone Hamilton, Gabriella Graves, Maxwell Simkins, Tony Hale and Jane Lynch. The Chicken Squad targets kids 2-7 — and their parents as well. “We don’t write down to our audience,” Rogers said. “We try to write up to the parents.”

The show offers a funky soundtrack that touches on pop, R&B, country and electronica. Rogers mentioned a Devo-inspired song later in the season called “Practically Paleontologists.”

The Chicken Squad reminds kids, and their parents, for that matter, to be kind. “Maybe even more than ever, we need to remember to see beyond the things that separate us,” said Rogers, “and find the things that connect us.” 

The Chicken Squad, an animated series blending comedy and adventure, premieres on Disney Junior May 14. Inspired by Doreen Cronin’s children’s book series, the show follows a trio of chicken siblings, Coop, Sweetie and Little Boo, and their dog pal Captain Tully. They team up on problem-solving adventures in their backyard. 

The Chicken Squad was developed and is executive produced by Tom Rogers, who previously worked on Elena of Avalor, and wrote the children’s book Eleven, about a boy turning 11 on Sept. 11, 2001.

Rogers read the Cronin books, and immediately saw a series. “I just fell in love with them instantly,” he said. “They took me back to stories I used to love when I was a kid--kids with a secret hideout who were detectives, who solved mysteries in the neighborhood. I just connected with them immediately.” 

Yvette Nicole Brown voices Captain Tully, Ramone Hamilton handles Coop, Gabriella Graves does Sweetie and Maxwell Simkins voices Little Boo. Recurring cast includes Tony Hale, Jane Lynch and Melissa Rauch. 

Each episode features two 11-minute stories. The show targets kids two to seven, and their parents. “We don’t write down to our audience,” said Rogers. “We try to write up to the parents. They want to be entertained too.”

The series features some funky music that ranges from pop to R&B to country and electronica. 

The Chicken Squad is Rogers’ first shot at being a showrunner. “I didn’t realize how much effort it takes to lead a team,” he admitted. 

Asked about influences, Rogers mentioned “adventure stories set in exotic places,” such as Call of the Wild. He also cited The Three Investigators children’s books, which features “kids being active leaders in the stories. Secret hideouts, kids seeing things adults can’t see, kids using their skills and ingenuity to solve problems.”

The empathy behind The Chicken Squad makes it right for 2021, Rogers believes. “Maybe even more than ever, we need to remember to see beyond the things that separate us,” he said, “and find the things that connect us.”

Season two of preschool series Gigantosaurus starts on Disney Junior Monday, Jan. 4. Episodes roll out weekly. 

Season two offers new adventures for dinosaur best pals Rocky, Bill, Tiny and Mazu. 

“Gigantosaurus invites the youngest of viewers to follow along with inquisitive Mazu, playful Tiny, timid Bill, and courageous Rocky as they go on quests to explore their world in each episode, facing their fears, working together to solve problems, learning more about the Big Guy – the mysterious Gigantosaurus himself – and having lots of fun all along the way,” said Disney Junior. “The larger-than-life hit series also incorporates a wide array of real dinosaurs, from Leon, the friendly archelon, to Plink, Plonk and Plunk, a bunch of playful ichthyosaurs, and realistically rendered flora and fauna that’s true to the time period.” 

Animated preschool show Pikwik Pack begins Saturday morning, Nov. 7, on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW. Produced by Guru Studio, the show follows four animal friends as they work together to deliver magical surprises to the kind citizens of their town.

Suki is a hedgehog, Axel is a raccoon, Tibor is a hippo and Hazel is a cat. “Young viewers will learn gentle life lessons about the importance of community, responsibility and working as a team to accomplish a common goal,” according to Disney Junior. 

Frank Falcone created the show. 

“Kids everywhere love the thrill of unwrapping a special surprise, and they’ll get to experience this joy in each episode of Pikwik Pack,” said Falcone. “Parcel delivery is increasingly becoming a central part of families’ daily lives. In the town of Pikwik, kids get to witness firsthand the important role that package delivery plays in bringing communities together.”

Disney Junior will say goodbye to its animated series Elena of Avalor with a series finale special on Aug. 23, the network said.

The series, inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore, debuted in 2016 and follows a teenager who has been learning what it takes to be a great leader by ruling her enchanted fairytale kingdom as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen, said Disney Junior.

The network will air new episodes of the series leading up to the finale beginning July 26, said officials. 

In a landmark move that shifts distribution of content from linear pay TV to direct-to-consumer streaming, Disney announced that it will no longer distribute Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior in the UK. The media conglomerate will instead distribute movies and series targeted to those kids networks through its Disney Plus streaming service. 

“From October 1st,  Disney Plus will become the exclusive home for content from Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior in the UK,” Disney said in a statement. 

"The direct-to-consumer service, which garnered more than 54.5 million subscribers worldwide in its first seven months, will now premiere all the latest films, series and specials from the three Disney channels, along with offering a rich and expansive back catalogue of Disney Channel titles in the UK, including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Descendants 3 and Phineas and Ferb," Disney said.

Also read: Disney Plus: Everything You Need to Know About the Service That Went From Zero to 28.6 Million Users in Less Than Three Months

Disney’s move comes after the conglomerate failed to reach carriage terms for its kids networks with the UK’s major pay TV operators, Liberty Global’s Virgin Media and Comcast’s Sky. 

It also comes after departure announcement of David Levine, Disney’s VP of kids programming in Europe and Africa. He’s ending his 16-year tenure at the end of June. 

A Sky rep reminded The Hollywood Reporter that the pay TV operator had already struck a distribution deal for Disney Plus, adding  "We have over 5,000 episodes of on demand content alongside our brilliant linear channels, from our partners Viacom and Turner, and we’re investing more in our own Sky kids originals, too, like Moominvalley and Morph. Kids can watch favorites like Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol, SpongeBob Squarepants and The Amazing World of Gumball, all the wonderful LEGO content and much, much more. And it is all available in one place – together with the best apps, like Disney+ and Netflix – on [premium pay TV service] Sky Q.”

PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore told THR that Disney’s move represents "a landmark moment.

”The streaming revolution is gathering pace and cannot be ignored,” Pescatore added. “Companies can no longer continue to support a slew of channels and cannibalize revenue streams. The future is all about streaming and this latest move sets a benchmark for others to follow suit."

Disney Junior said it has begun production on Mira, Royal Detective, an animated mystery adventure series for preschoolers aimed at Disney Junior channels and programming blocks around the world in 2020. 

Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective after solving a mystery that involves saving the kingdom's young prince, the programmer said. The role of Mira will be voiced by 15-year-old newcomer Leela Ladnier. 

"We are eager to introduce kids and their families to the rich, diverse cultures and customs of India through Mira, a young girl who looks at things with her own unique lens to gain different perspectives and help others in her community," Joe D'Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming, Disney Junior said in a release. "We hope that she will encourage our audience to actively engage with the inspiring world around them and appreciate the little details that make life extraordinary."

As royal detective, Mira travels throughout the kingdom helping royals and commoners alike, in the network's description. Along with her friend Prince Neel, a talented inventor, creative cousin Priya, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, she will stop at nothing to solve a case, taking young viewers on adventures that highlight critical thinking and encourage deductive reasoning. Each episode will weave authentic music, dance and customs into two 11-minutes stories.

The voice cast also includes Freida Pinto (The Path) as Queen Shanti; Hannah Simone (New Girl) as a young commoner named Pinky; Jameela Jamil (The Good Place) as Mira's Auntie Pushpa; Kal Penn (Designated Survivor) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (The Mindy Project) as mongooses Mikku and Chikku; Aasif Mandvi (Shut Eye) as Mira's father, Sahil; Sarita Choudhury (Homeland) as Prince Neel's Great-Aunt Rupa; Aparna Nancherla (BoJack Horseman) as Mira's cousin Meena; Kamran Lucas (Mech-X4) as Prince Neel; Karan Brar (BUNK'D) as Prince Veer; Karan Soni (Deadpool) as twins Ranjeet and Manjeet; Sarayu Blue (I Feel Bad) as the palace tailor; Parvesh Cheena (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Sonal Shah (Scrubs) as bandits, Manish and Poonam; and newcomer Roshni Edwards as Mira's cousin Priya.

Sascha Paladino is executive producer of the series, which was developed by Becca Topol who also serves as story editor. Sue Perotto and Dorothea Schoentag are supervising director and art director, respectively. IW Group's Shagorika Ghosh is the series' cultural consultant. Additional consultants include Bollywood dancer and choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan and music producer Deepak Ramapriyan. Matthew Tishler and Jeannie Lurie will write and produce original songs, and Amritha Vaz will serve as composer. The series is produced by Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior.

Disney Junior will bring back its Peabody Award-winning animated series Doc McStuffins for a fifth season, with the new season launching Oct. 26 on Disney Channel, the network said Thursday.

The series, which follows young girl who aspires to be a doctor like her mom and communicates with and heals toys, will return with new episodes, bringing its overall total to more than 150 episodes, shorts and specials, according to network executives. Disney Junior in December will also air The Doc McStuffins Christmas Special, which will also air on Disney Channel, ABC and Freeform throughout the holiday season, said the network. 

Paid Off With Michael Torpey, a game show with humor, sees contestants compete to see who gets their student loans paid off. Three college grads, saddled with serious debt, play the game. It debuts July 10 on truTV.

Student loans are a profound issue for host Torpey. He did not have to take out college loans, which enabled him to study theater, and pursue acting after college, without crippling debt to contend with. “All I had to worry about was rent and eating,” he said.

Torpey landed a major commercial, for Hanes, where he discussed underwear with Michael Jordan. Its windfall enabled him to help pay off his girlfriend’s student debt, which brought tears to her eyes. “That experience stuck with me,” Torpey said.

His acting career moved onto a stint as corrections officer Thomas Humphrey on Orange Is the New Black (“an absolute piece of shit,” Torpey said of his character), before he landed the host role on Paid Off. “I’ve gained a ton of respect for people who host game shows,” he said.

On July 11, season two of Harlots starts on Hulu. Executive producer Moira Buffini said she’s “absolutely thrilled” with how the first season landed. “It being a British costume drama about the sex trade, I had no idea how it would go down at all,” she said. “People totally got it.”

Harlots is set in Georgian London. Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies, essentially a guide book about local prostitutes, inspired the series. “We said, let’s tell the stories of society through the eyes of harlots,” Buffini said.

The “outrageous” Georgians almost write their own lines, Buffini said. “They’re fantastically good characters to write because they don’t hold back.”

Liv Tyler comes on board as aristocrat Lady Isabella Fitzwilliam.

The Georgian-era yarns are timely these days. “We tell stories about now,” Buffini said, “through the lens of the 18th century.”

On a lighter note, Fancy Nancy starts on Disney Junior July 13. Six-year-old Nancy Clancy is the show’s centerpiece. “She has a very specific vision of what she wants the world to be,” Krista Tucker, who developed the series, said. “She wants the world to be fancy.”

Fancy Nancy has big names in the cast. George Wendt plays Nancy’s grandfather, Alyson Hannigan voices her mother and Christine Baranski is her neighbor, Mrs. Devine. Mia Sinclair Jenness voices Nancy.

Tucker said the relatable nature of the Fancy Nancy stories appealed to the cast. “They read the scripts and it resonated with them,” she said.

One memorable scene sees Nancy get a vanity from her deceased grandmother. She looks in its mirror — and glimpses her potential. “It’s a very heartfelt moment,” Tucker said.

Disney Junior has renewed its animated series Fancy Nancy ahead of the show’s July 13 premiere, the network announced Thursday.

The series, based on the New York Times bestselling book series by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, centers around high-spirited six-year-old girl whose zest and enthusiasm for all that is exquisite – including language, nature, art and color -- transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, according to Disney Junior.

"A creator and true optimist, Nancy is a relatable, imperfect character who exemplifies the problem-solving power of imagination through the comical situations she gets herself into,” said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, Content and Creative Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide and general manager, Disney Junior Worldwide in a statement. “We look forward to the series' premiere and sharing even more heartfelt stories that showcase Nancy's creative endeavors and her unwavering belief that she can accomplish her grand ideas while encouraging those around her to do the same."

Disney Channel Worldwide has greenlit a third season of its animated series Elena Of Avalor, the network said Monday.

The series, which follows an adventurous teenager of Hispanic origin who rules her kingdom as crown princess, launched in 2016 and became the most watched series for girls aged 2 to 11, said network officials.

The second season of Elena Of Avalor will debut this fall on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. The series, which features the voices of Aimee Carrero, Jenna Ortega, Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown and Carlos Alazraqui, is executively produced by Craig Gerber. 

Disney Junior Worldwide general manager Nancy Kanter has been promoted to executive vice president of content and creative strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide, said company officials.

In addition to oversight of the toddler-targeted Disney Junior, Kanter’s new duties will include the content creation strategy that guides the development of original live action and animated programming for kids age 6-14 on Disney Channel and Disney X, said Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, to whom she will continue to report.

"Nancy is a formidable leader with exceptional creative instincts and a personal passion for great storytelling. Her track record in launching and steering Disney Junior into becoming the number one preschooler-dedicated network is a testament to her relentless focus on excellence," said Marsh. "I look forward to her daily partnership in aligning and guiding the creative strategy and content for our animation and live-action storytelling teams."

Kanter added:"The Disney Channels Worldwide creative teams have consistently set the bar at the highest level when it comes to offering stories and characters that resonate with audiences worldwide and also become cultural icons that endure. I am excited to work with our multi-talented development and production teams and hope to be able to contribute meaningfully to this legacy of extraordinary storytelling."

Disney Junior has greenlit a fifth season of its animated series Doc McStuffins, the network said Wednesday.

The series, about a young African-American girl who aspires to be a doctor like her mom, is a top 10-rated preschool show among key demographics and averages 16 million views on the Disney Junior app, VOD and Hulu, said network officials.

The series has won a Peabody Award and inspired the Artemis Medical Society, an organization of 4,700 women physicians of color from around the world that looks to inspire young girls.

"Doc McStuffins is an unmistakable example of our commitment to powerful storytelling that enriches and enlightens kids,” Nancy Kanter, executive vice president and general manager, Disney Junior Worldwide said in a statement. “I can think of no other children's television show in recent history that has touched as many lives and made the kind of impact around the world that Doc has. Our viewers have forged a deep connection with this series and are very vocal about how strongly they believe in these characters. We are excited to share with them many more stories about Doc and her toys when season five begins airing in 2018."

Disney Junior will create a new series based on the 1980s series Muppet Babies, the network announced Wednesday.

The reimagined Muppet Babies will focus on the playroom antics of iconic characters Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animan and Miss Nancy, the network said.

The CG-animated series series, a co-production between Disney Junior, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media's (DCPI) Content & Media group and The Muppets Studio, is slated to debut on Disney Junior in early 2018. The origional Muppet Babies sesries aired on CBS from 1984-1991.

"We are proud, and a little bit giddy, to begin production on our new version of the much-loved Muppet Babies,” Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide said in a statement.   “Parents will delight in seeing their favorite Muppets in the mixed animation style they remember from the original series, and kids will be introduced to this warm and zany world made just right for the Disney Junior audience."

Hulu Thursday expanded its kids-targeted content lineup with the acquisition of exclusive subscription video on demand rights to several Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney XD shows.

As part of the deal, Hulu will be the exclusive subscription streaming home for all past seasons of Disney original series K.C. Undercover, as well as Dog With a Blog and Austin & Ally, said Hulu executives.

Also included in the deal were right to Disney XD titles Gravity Falls and Star vs. The Forces of Evil and Disney Junior titles Sheriff Callie’s Wild West and Henry Hugglemonster.

Overall, the deal will bring more than 500 episodes and more than 20 original movies to Hulu from Disney-ABC Television Group's suite of networks, said Hulu. 

Hulu's Disney/ABC Television Group deal follows a March deal with NBCU Television & New Media Distribution group for the streaming rights to the popular, kids-targeted Curious George series. 

"As our biggest content licensing agreement with the Disney brand, this deal further demonstrates our commitment to offering popular, high-quality kids programming on Hulu,” said Craig Erwich, senior vice president and Head of Content for Hulu in a statement. “These new SVOD exclusive Disney titles mark yet another way Hulu is building an irresistible content destination for families.”

Disney Junior has greenlit two new animated series Vampirina and Puppy Dog Tails, the network announced Friday.

Vampirina, executive-produced by Doc McStuffins creator Chris Nee, tells the story of a young vampire girl who faces the joys and trials of being the new kid in town when her family moves from Transylvania to Pennsylvania, according to network officials.

Puppy Dog Tails, created by comedian Harland Williams, centers on two fun-loving pug puppies whose thrill-seeking appetites take them on daily adventures around their neighborhood and beyond.

Both shows will premiere in 2017, said network officials.

"Five years ago, we launched Disney Junior with the goal of providing inspired storytelling and aspirational characters that would resonate with our young audience and their parents and caregivers, while also introducing age appropriate social-emotional concepts and other key learnings relevant to kids age 2-7,” said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide in a statement.

“Our programming has upheld these values and we are pleased to introduce two new series that are sure to do the same."

Entertainment One Family’s (eOne) CGI animated series PJ Masks will debut on Disney Channel and Disney Junior in the U.S. on Sept. 18.

The preschool series, based on a picture book series, Les Pyjamasques by Romuald Racioppo, follows three young friends who transform into superheroes at night when they put on their pajamas and activate their animal amulets.

Following the Sept. 18 U.S. premiere, Disney Junior channels worldwide will carry PJ Masks in 2016.

PJ Masks is set to air in France on France 5 in the fall of 2015.

Read more at broadcastingcable.com.

Disney Junior has greenlit a new season of its pre-school targeted series Miles From Tomorrowland, the network said Tuesday.

The series, which charts the outer space missions of young adventurer Miles Callisto and his family as they work together to help connect the galaxy on behalf of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, is the network's top series across preschool networks in total viewers, kids 2-5 and boys 2-5 to date, according to the network. 

Recurring guest stars include Adrian Grenier (Entourage), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), George Takei (Star Trek), Bill Nye (Bill Nye the Science Guy), Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Alton Brown (Good Eats) and Brenda Song (Dads).

Miles from Tomorrowland is produced by Wild Canary Films in association with Disney Junior.

"We work with many experts in the space, science and technology fields –NASA astronauts, space architects and futurists, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) scientists and Google engineers – and all of them have talked with us about their own early experiences as children that sparked their curiosity about space and the possibilities for the future," said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, original programming, and general manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, in a statement. "We hope that Miles From Tomorrowland will continue to provide that inspiration for today’s generation of young children."

Disney is officially letting blockbuster Frozen go onto television. 

The animated movie, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2014, will premiere on all Disney ABC Television Group networks starting February 2016. 

It will appear on the Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ABC Family and ABC. 

Disney Jr. is betting that Fancy Nancy, the children's books sensation, will prove appealing as an animated TV series and telefilm.

The network has optioned the rights and plans to develop an original animated TV movie and series, while Disney's consumer products group will look to capitalize with attendant products. 

Created by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, the Fancy Nancy stories are written for children ages 2 through 7, centering on a girl donned with an extensive vocabulary and elegant wardrobe. She's been the central character spanning 60 books that have been translated into 20 languages and  sold 28 million copies worldwide.

Fancy Nancy publisher HarperCollins and Disney Publishing will collaborate on books based on the television series.

"Children have been captivated by Fancy Nancy's wit and irrepressible spirit for a decade and we are very eager to give her an even bigger stage on which to perform" said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, original programming and general manager, Disney Jr. Worldwide.

Disney Junior in 2016 will debut a new animated series featuring a Latina Princess, who will be introduced as part of its popular series Sofia The First, the network said Thursday.

Princess Elena Of Avalor, inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore, will be introduced in a special episode of Sofia the First beginning production now for a 2016 premiere, said network officials.  

That Sofia The First arc will usher in the 2016 launch of the animated series Elena of Avalor, said the network.  The role of 16-year-old Princess Elena will be voiced by Aimee Carrero (ABC Family's Young & Hungry).

"Our creative team has delivered a universal story with themes that authentically reflect the hopes and dreams of our diverse audience," said Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide in a statement. "What excites us most is the chance to use distinctive animation and visual design to tell wonderful stories influenced by culture and traditions that are familiar to the worldwide population of Hispanic and Latino families and reflect the interests and aspirations of all children as told through a classic fairy tale."

The series will be presented in 25 languages on Disney Junior channels and daily programming blocks for kids age 2-7 on Disney Channels, among other platforms, in 154 countries around the world. On television alone, its estimated daily reach will be over 207-million households, according to Disney.

Disney Channel’s Nov. 23 animated special Sofia The First: The Curse of Princess Ivy garnered 4.7 million viewers (Live +3 Nielsen ratings), the kids-targeted network said Monday.  

The special finished as the second most watched telecast of all time for the toddler-targeted series, behind the 2012 animated movie Sofia The First: Once Upon A Princess.

The special, which featured an appearance by singer Mandy Moore as the voice of Rapunzel, also finished as the top evening telecast of the year among kids 2 to 5 and Girls 2 to 5, said Disney.

Disney Channel next month will air a special episode of Disney Junior’s Sofia The First animated series, said network officials.

The special, Sofia The First: The Curse of Princess Ivy, will air Nov. 23 and will feature Mandy Moore, who reprises her role of Rapunzel from Disney’s animated film Tangled, as well as actress Anna Camp and actor Oliver Platt (The West Wing).

During the week leading up to the special's television premiere, Disney Channel will air Sofia the First episodes featuring Disney Princesses Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine and Mulan. Also debuting between Nov. 17-23 are new "I Am A Princess" interstitials featuring stories from Disney movies, including Frozen and The Little Mermaid, told through the eyes of children, said nework officials.

Disney Channel will pay tribute to the late actor Robin Williams with weekend airings of the 1992 animated movie Aladdin, the network said.

The movie, in which Williams voiced the character Genie, will air on Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior several times during the weekend, said network officials. Williams died Monday in his North California home at age 63.

 The telecast schedule is for Aladdin is as follows:

Saturday, August 16 (9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel
Sunday, August 17 (11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD
Sunday, August 17 (6:00 p.m., ET/PT) and Monday, August 18 (11:00 a.m., ET/PT) on Disney Junior

Disney Junior has ordered a TV movie and series that will serve as a sequel to Disney’s 1994 animated classic The Lion King.

TheLion Guard picks up the story 20 years after the events of the original movie, centering on Simba’s second-born cub.

"The story of The Lion King has deeply touched families around the world since its original theatrical release 20 years ago,” said Nancy Kanter, executive VP of original programming and GM for Disney Junior Worldwide. We look forward to introducing a whole new generation of kids to both the Disney legacy characters and to new friends and heroes."

The film will debut in Fall 2015, with the subsequent TV series premiering in early 2016. The Lion Guard movie and series were developed by Ford Riley, who also serves as executive producer.

Univision has added Disney Junior series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Handy Manny to “Planeta U,” the network’s Spanish-language children’s programming block that airs on Saturday mornings. 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse will now air Saturdays at 8 a.m. ET/PT, with episodes of Handy Manny airing at 9 a.m. ET/PT. The latter program, which includes basic instruction in Spanish words and phrases, will feature basic English instruction when it airs on Univision. 

Both series are animated programs targeted towards children ages 2-7.     

Disney Junior has promoted Emily Hart to Vice President, Original Programming. 

Hart will transition to the new role from her current position as Executive Director, Original Programming, Disney Junior. As Vice President, Original Programming, Hart will be responsible for overseeing the production and development of Disney Junior’s various television properties. 

“Emily is not only one of the hardest working executives in children’s television, but also one of the most forward thinking and passionate. Her storytelling skills along with her capacity to envision what might come next make her an invaluable part of our team. Her leadership on some of our most successful series including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse an Jake the Never Land Pirates has contributed greatly to the success we are seeing across Disney Junior,” said Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, in a statement. 

Hart now reports to Kanter.