Save Lilo & Stitch Weekend Bash – 01/02-05/09

Save W.I.T.CH. Day – 01/16/09

Save KP Weekend – 01/23-25/09

Save Jake Long Day – 01/30/09

It’s important to remember that paper letters are the key to our efforts, and events are spaced out so you have at least a week to prepare as many as you can. Please refer to our how to help section for addresses: http://help.savedisneyshows.org

Then on the day of the event, you can also send faxes, make phone calls, and use our email program at http://sdsmail.org

Source: Animation Magazine

Walt Disney Television Animation has begun production on Kid Knievel, a 2D-animated comedy series about a 12-year-old boy who aspires to become the world’s greatest daredevil. Famed thrill seeker “Kaptain” Robbie Knievel will serve as a stunt consultant on the series, which is slated to premiere in the fall of 2009 on the soon-to-launch Disney XD channel. Kids will be able to catch a sneak peek when five 55-second original animated shorts debut on DisneyXD.com in advance of the television premiere.

Created by Sandro Corsaro, Kid Knievel centers on Francis Little, a boy who overcomes incredible obstacles in his quest to become famous for his death-defying acts. Inspired by the will and determination of daredevil Robbie Knievel, son of the legendary Evel Knievel, Francis pursues his daily dose of danger with his loyal friends Gunther and Sam by his side. His imaginative journey takes him speeding down a river in a rocket-powered kayak, jumping Dead Man’s Drop on a skateboard and riding a unicycle while blindfolded atop a herd of white rhinos.

Animation producer Chris Savino (Johnny Test, The Powerpuff Girls), who has twice been nominated for an Emmy Award, serves as exec producer and director on the series. The voice cast includes Chris Edgerly (Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law) as Francis Little, Matt Jones (Greek) as quirky best friend Gunther, and Danny Cooksey (Xiaolin Showdown, Pepper Ann) as obnoxious older brother Brad.

“As our first animated show for the new Disney XD platform, Kid Knievel sets the tone for the animated series to come,” says Eric Coleman, senior VP of original series at Walt Disney Television Animation. “It has break-out characters, fresh designs, big laughs and great action.”

Disney XD is a re-branding of Toon Disney. The basic cable channel will debut in February with a multi-platform setup that will showcase a mix of live-action and animated programming for kids 6-14, especially boys into discovery, sports, adventure and humor. Offerings will include sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD will be a 24-hour, advertiser-supported network reaching 72 million households.

I’m still not sure what I think of this whole Disney XD venture. If it takes off the way they’re hoping it will, then I’ll get behind it, but I have a feeling it’s gonna crash and burn. Especially if this new project is the best they have to offer.

I was sorting through some old recordings I had saved to DVD when I discovered a recording of the W.I.T.C.H. episode “A is for Anonymous”! It was an episode I hadn’t watched in literally years, and it was great to see it again.

After I watched it, it occurred to me that I could make screencaps from it. They aren’t as high quality as the other WITCH screencaps (which where taken from Australian DVD sets) but they better than nothing.

The caps include Queen Elyon

The premiere of Nerissa

A fed up Taranee

And a magical bubble thingie.

(This news is also reported on the DC Fans blog.)

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The next Disney Channel Orginal series has been anounced, and it is Sonny With a Chance staring Demi Lovato as the new star of a show-within-a-show called “So Random.”

Promotional pictures below provided by Disney Channel Fans.

Also coming soon, a new Sonny With a Chance fansite at Sonny-With-A-Chance.com

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Our American Dragon Jake Long Gallery is one step closer to being complete!

The season one episode “The Halloween Bash” has been added to the website.

Featuring the huntsman,

the infamous Kim Possible cheerleader costume,

the dragon council,

and the best Halloween costume, ever.

All that’s left now is the ADJL Xmas special “Hairy Christmas” and the season one episode “Body Guard Duty.”

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Source: RTTNews

Monday, diversified entertainment and media firm Walt Disney Co. said it inked deal to acquire outstanding shares of pan-European kids entertainment company Jetix Europe N.V. for EUR 11 per share. This brings Walt Disney’s stake to around 96 percent in Jetix Europe. The transaction is expected to complete before the end of 2008.

Walt Disney noted that after the completion of the deal, it plans to obtain ownership of 100% of the shares in Jetix, including through statutory buy-out proceedings. Further, Disney and Jetix intend to seek termination of Jetix’s listing on Euronext Amsterdam.

Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney-ABC Television Group, commented, “Television continues to be a strong brand builder for Disney around the world and this investment enhances our efforts to reach kids and families. By achieving operating efficiencies, we will have additional opportunities to create more family-friendly programming and locally-produced content across Europe.”

Disney acquired its original interest in Jetix Europe, which was formerly Fox Kids Europe, when it bought Fox Family Worldwide from News Corp. in 2001.

Shares of DIS closed Friday’s regular trading at $22.77, up $0.98 or 4.50%, on a volume of 18 million shares.

NWS closed Friday’s session at $8.76, up $0.46 or 5.54%, on a volume of 6.68 million shares.

I didn’t realize that disney Didn’t completely own Jetix. I wonder if they’re gonna keep the Jetix name once they introduce Disney XD in the US this February.

Source: Fox News

Paris Hilton wants to play Tinkerbell – not her pet Chihuahua, but the famed fairy from “Peter Pan.”

A source tells us the celebutard is lobbying for the title role in Disney’s live-action version of “Tinkerbell,” in which the pixie finally gets a chance at life as a real girl.

“Paris has worked on her acting chops lately and showed some comedy prowess in her YouTube spoof of running for president,” our insider said. ”

Disney suits saw it and think she may be developing some comedic-actress potential.”

If anyone at Disney was thinking, they’d stay far, far away from Miss Hilton.

Source Mickey News

Quantcast today announced that the Disney-ABC Television Group will adopt the company’s Quantified Publisher Program. The implementation of Quantcast services will enable the Disney-ABC Television Group to more accurately define their unique audiences and deliver greater value to marketers and advertisers alike.

Disney-ABC Television Group’s participation with Quantcast includes ABC.com, ABCNews.com, ABCFamily.com and Soapnet.com.

“As our online businesses continue to evolve, we are always looking for ways to provide better measurement and audience insights to our advertisers,” said Peter Seymour, executive vice president, Strategy and Research, Disney Media Networks. “We believe adding Quantcast’s innovative direct-measurement service to our existing array of research data will help us move to the next level in audience packaging and value creation for our advertising partners.”

Quantcast has seen dramatic adoption since it launched in September 2006 with over 85,000 publishers participating in its Quantified Publisher program, directly measuring more than 10 million unique web destinations, including web sites, videos, widgets and games. Every day Quantcast processes more than 4 billion new census-level media consumption events, which are combined with a variety of audience-based reference points (multiple panel and publisher inputs) within the company’s proprietary inference model to produce rich and actionable audience profiles.

“We launched Quantcast two years ago to empower digital media buyers and sellers with services that help them transact in smarter and more actionable ways,” said Todd Teresi, Chief Revenue Officer for Quantcast. “Given their tremendous heritage of innovation and clear market leadership, the opportunity to work with Disney-ABC further supports our vision of connecting media planning, buying and delivery to create a more efficient, transparent and valuable online advertising market.”

Source: Multichannel News

Disney Channel Tuesday said it has ordered additional episodes for the third season of Hannah Montana and a second season of The Suite Life on Deck—the network’s hit live-action series.

In the fourth quarter, Hannah Montana was basic cable’s top-rated series among kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14 and the No. 1 scripted series in total viewers. The Suite Life on Deck is currently ranks second among kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14 and is the third most-watched scripted series on basic cable in total viewers.

“The talent behind Hannah Montana has made it a true global sensation and cultural icon not just on television, where it topped the ratings on Disney Channels around the globe, but as a chart-topping music act and beyond,” Gary Marsh, president of entertainment for Disney Channels Worldwide, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled with the extraordinary performance of our newest series, The Suite Life on Deck, in the U.S. and globally, and we look forward to telling more great stories with this talented cast and production team.”

Since its premiere in September, The Suite Life on Deck has reached 27 million unduplicated viewers worldwide. Set aboard a luxury cruise liner, the series tells the story of teenage twins Zack and Cody Martin and hotel heiress London Tipton as they spend a semester at sea aboard the SS Tipton.

Why would they extend the third season if they where planning on making a fourth? I therefore theorize that DC is planning on ending HM with season three. But it’s just a theory.

Source: SFcrowsnest.com

The Walt Disney Company are getting ready for their first Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game to be called Disney Fantasy Online, with a Spring 2009 launch planned. Gamers of Disney Fantasy Online will be immersed in a Disney-themed central world, based on themes of magic, adventure and romance with non-playing Disney character hosts such as Mickey Mouse, preparing and training the gamers for the, ahem, adventures that lie ahead.

As gamers explore, complete quests, and level-up, they have the opportunity to acquire virtual items to personalize the gaming experience and enable them to explore additional worlds more extensively. Expansion packs with new adventures and maps will be added to the game, providing opportunities for gamers to uncover new content and secrets.

Gamers will be able to explore fantasy lands, and can show off their skills in turn-based battle mode with customizable player avatars, premium accessories, and other in-game items. Companions can be won, purchased, and/or discovered and players can build virtual castles within the game world, which will act as the player’s virtual personal space.