It’s upfront season again and early out of the gate is Disney Channels Worldwide, endeavoring to woo US advertisers with programming highlights for Disney Channel and year-old, boy-skewing Disney XD, which now reaches more than 75 million US homes.
In the spotlight are several new and returning Disney XD and Disney Channel projects including Disney Channel’s next big musical, Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam, an original movie set to premiere in late summer 2010.
Other original movies slated for Disney Channel include Avalon High, scheduled for late fall and based on the Meg Cabot novel about a modern day King Arthur’s court, Den Brother,, a hockey-themed comedy to debut in the summer, 16 Wishes, a co-pro with MarVista premiering this summer and co-pro with 9 Story Entertainment Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars.
On the series side, hit Phineas and Ferb will get a longer outing in movie form with Phineas and Ferb: Across the Second Dimension, which will also air on Disney XD.
Disney XD is also tapping into the Marvel vault for a new series, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and has plans for a new live-action comedy series Pair of Kings that centers on the story of fraternal twins who come from a royal background.
Debuting on Disney Channel will be the animated comedy Fish Hooks, set in a giant pet store fish tank and family-targeted live action series Good Luck Charlie, chronicling a family as it copes with the arrival of a new baby sister.
Returning series to Disney Channel include Hannah Montana, Sonny with a Chance and Jonas.
New animated fare on preschool block Playhouse Disney will include primetime specials, Handy Manny Big Race and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally. Animated series on deck include Handy Manny Big Construction Job, Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Mickey Mousekercize.