Disney XD To Air Winter X Games Reality Series

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Boys-targeted Disney XD will air a daily, short-form reality competition series, dubbed Winter Next X, beginning Feb. 8.

The six-episode series, sponsored by Sega's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, will feature star athletes Simon Dumont, Andreas Wiig, Sammy Carlson and Chas Guldemond as they mentor young amateur competitors to become the next big action sports performer, said Disney XD officials.

The top competitor will be crowned the "Winter Next X" and get the opportunity to showcase their skills during the Winter X Games 14, which Disney XD sister network ESPN owns and operates.

A summer version of Next X that aired on Disney XD in 2009 reached 24.7 million total viewers and 4.3 millions boys 6 to 11.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.