D23, launched earlier this year, is the Official Community for Disney Fans.
The name “D23″ pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney’s 85-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a new collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 EXPO in Anaheim, California, September 10-13, 2009.
The D23 EXPO will give Disney fan unprecedented access to never-before-seen movies, TV shows, park experiences, collectibles and more from Sept. 10 to Sept. 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets to the Expo are now available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is discounted for members of D23.
The D23 EXPO spotlight will also shine on Disney Channel’s brightest stars in a can’t miss-special event.
If you are a D23 member, or are planning to attend the expo, please let us know by completing this form.
SDS Webmaster Greg will be in Anaheim and will be coordinating possible meetings for those involved in our movements!
It’s interesting to see the continued assent of power and influance that disney channel shows and Executives have both within and outside of the Walt Disney Company.
Disney Channel executives will make their first-ever full programing presentation to retailers on Monday at the International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, in a nod of the cable network’s growing earnings power within the Walt Disney Co.
Disney Channel shows produced a greater share of global merchandise sales for the company in 2008 than any single franchise produced by its movie studios, which also presents its slate at the annual licensing show.
Merchandise inspired by Disney Channel TV programs, led by ‘tween phenoms “Hannah Montana” and “High School Musical” and preschooler hits “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Handy Manny,” reached $3.6 billion in merchandise retail sales in 2008.
“Cars,” the best-selling line inspired by the Disney-Pixar film, peaked at annual sales of $2.5 billion last year and is expected to decline this year, Disney officials said.
Global sales of “Hannah Montana” and “High School Musical” merchandise grew faster in 2008 than any other Disney franchise and outstripped growth for the super-popular Disney Princess line, Disney Consumer Products spokesman Gary Foster said.
The cable network also has promising new franchises in “Sonny With a Chance” and “Wizards of Waverly Place”, which is why the company chose to showcase them “in a greater way”, Foster said.
Growth at the 94 Disney channels worldwide last quarter helped Disney’s cable business to 5 percent growth in operating income in the depths of the global recession.
At the same time, Studio Entertainment, whose upcoming slate of family movies usually dominates Disney’s presentation to the show’s 25,000 international retailers, will take a supporting role this year.
Disney’s studios have performed poorly in recent quarters as hits like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Cars” gave way to duds like “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” “Prince Caspian” and “Bedtime Stories.” The studios’ operating profit plunged 97 percent last quarter.
Disney Channel’s presentation on Monday night focuses plans to support established hits, build up-and-comers and launch new properties, Disney Channel Worldwide President Rich Ross said.
“Our job is …to show people what we are excited about and … the commitment the company has … to tell stories that are popular,” Ross said. “TV has never done what TV is doing.”
Disney Channel plans to announce a fourth season for “Hannah Montana” and to report on the progress of casting for a fourth film in the “High School Musical” franchise, company officials said.
“Sonny With A Chance”, the top TV series among kids 6-11 and tweens, has been picked up for a second season, Disney said.
Rilous Carter, 58, is the vice president for Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary. He spoke Friday with Sentinel staff writer Jason Garcia.
CFB: You took over as the vice president in charge of Disney’s Hollywood Studios a month after it changed its name from Disney-MGM Studios. How has the park changed thematically since then, or has it?
I don’t think it’s changed thematically. I think it’s grown up, let’s put it that way. I think at one time it was the golden age of movies, which was always exciting. But now I think it’s the new entertainment of today. I think it resonates a lot more with our guests today. There are many, probably, of our guests, especially younger guests, who may not even know what it means when you said Disney-MGM Studios. But Hollywood they do understand.
CFB: SeaWorld just opened Manta, and Universal should open Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit soon, both big roller coasters and major new attractions. Disney World’s biggest addition this year is American Idol Experience in the Studios. How does that stack up against the competition?
Well, we continually challenge ourselves to exceed our guests’ expectations. Just to give you an example, this morning we had Kris Allen, the recent winner of American Idol, here. He paraded down Hollywood Boulevard, went to the front of the theater, sang a song, and then surprised guests by coming to the theater. Now guests there are getting autographs, photos and things like that. I think those are experiences that they’ll never forget. And I think what we try to do is really get our guests involved and immerse them in the experiences. Creating experiences for our guests, whether they are on stage singing at the American Idol Experience or getting an autograph from Kris Allen, I think those are the kinds of things that they’ll come back here for again and again.
CFB: You work in theme parks so we have to ask: What’s your favorite ride?
I almost hate to say Toy Story Mania! But you know, actually, some days I’ll go through the Great Movie Ride again. You go through that and it still has that — it tugs at the heart strings. Because you see things that you saw many, many years ago. Whether it’s John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart — I love old Western movies, and I love Humphrey Bogart movies — so I can see those kinds of things and those, to me, are very pleasing. But I like Toy Story Mania! as well. I think because of the fact that everyone can ride Mania, as we call it — Toy Story Mania! — that makes it one of my favorite attractions.
CFB: I understand you used to be general manager for food and beverage at Epcot, where restaurants are some of the biggest attractions. Do you have a favorite meal?
Well, it’s tough to pick a favorite meal. It depends on where you’re going to eat. The catfish with the grits, the Cajun catfish, over at Coral Reef is one of my favorites. And also then I have to go to Le Cellier. There’s no better filet anywhere. You can cut the thing with a fork. Everyone who goes there loves the filet. We sell more filets there than anything.
CFB: You also worked in Cleveland at one point before you joined Disney. So are you a Cavs guy or a Magic guy?
Magic all the way, man. You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m not sleeping, I’m staying up every night watching these games going, “It should be over by now!” … I think it’s been fantastic for the city, especially at a time like this, in this economic downturn.
The Hollywood Reporter has stated that this past Tuesday, it was decided that five children’s TV channels in Europe will be changed to the popular programming of the Disney channel later this year. Disney will be claiming the original channel, entitled “Jetix,” in Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, which will increase the viewership of Disney by at least 12 million households.
Giorgio Stock comments in bizjournals.com that the first rebranding of Disney channel in Poland made clear the demand for the type of programs appealing to kids and family values was highly successful and hopes for Disney Channel to become the premier source of entertainment on television for children and preteens.
The programming for the channel in Europe is set to appeal to both the 2-5 and 6-14 age groups, according to MediaPost News. Stations will be specific to each individual market in the country and be dubbed for every dialectic language.
In regards to to the un-naned disney spokesperson below, I just have one thing to say: “Suuuuure.”
But I am seriously surprised that the Jonas series wasn’t an imediate hit. My only guess as to why is that the girls are watching, but the guys aren’t.
Just weeks into its run with the new show “Jonas,” the Disney Channel has moved original episodes from Saturday to Sunday.
The show, while doing okay in the Nielsens against super-tough Nickelodeon fare on Saturdays, hasn’t set the ratings on fire nor even come close to matching the excitement the Jonas Brothers - Nick, Joe and Kevin - have gained before.
Until late last week, Disney had “Jonas” scheduled for Saturday, but viewers instead found the film “Cars.”
A Disney spokeswoman said the network usually airs a summer schedule from Memorial weekend through August, and the “Jonas” move was part of that plan. Starting this weekend, films will fill Saturdays, and comedy series Fridays and Sunday.
“In addition to its Sunday airing, ‘Jonas’ will be seen in other time slots throughout the summer to provide viewers an opportunity to sample the series,” she said.
“Jonas” stars the Jonas Brothers as the Lucas Brothers, a group of school kids who also have a rock band called Jonas.
It looks like the Disney Cruise Line has decided to leverage the popularity of The Suite Life on Deck and the Disney channel in general to drum up some extra business this summer.
Press release from Disney Cruise Line:
In a Disney exclusive, numerous Disney Channel stars will set sail this summer, joining thousands of Disney Cruise Line guests aboard the Disney Wonder for eight special sailings during the first-ever “Disney Channel Summer at Sea,” presented by Kodak.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Disney Channel and offer guests on our ship a unique opportunity to sail with Disney Channel stars,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “A cruise vacation with Disney Cruise Line is always a family-favorite and ‘Disney Channel Summer at Sea’ provides families another reason to set sail and experience the Disney difference.”
Popular stars from Disney Channel shows like “Hannah Montana,” “Sonny With A Chance,” “Wizards of Waverly Place,” “The Suite Life on Deck,” “JONAS,” “Camp Rock,” “High School Musical” and “Hatching Pete” will sail with guests on three- and four-night Bahamian cruises taking place July 9 through August 2. During these themed sailings, Disney Channel stars will help pump up the volume during onboard deck parties and will join guests for Q & A and autograph sessions along with preview screenings of Disney Channel programming. The onboard fun culminates with a “Party with the Stars” event, an evening where guests can join the stars for a special live musical performance. As an added treat, Radio Disney will broadcast live from the ship during two of the cruises.
Aligning with Kodak’s “It’s Time to Smile” campaign, all Disney fans will be able to share in the ship-to-shore fun online. Select video-blog reporters onboard the ship will capture their magical vacation memories on a ‘KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera’ and post video from their voyages at www.disneycruise.com/summeratsea.
“At Kodak, we’re all about relationships. We bring people together through images and are thrilled to work with the Disney Channel to help Disney fans share their magical vacation memories,” said Kodak Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President Jeffrey Hayzlett.
Each cruise during “Disney Channel Summer at Sea” will include multiple Disney Channel stars. Among those scheduled to sail include Tiffany Thornton from “Sonny With A Chance” (July 9 & 12), Nicole Anderson “JONAS”, Jason Earles from “Hannah Montana” (July 16 & 19), Mitchel Musso from “Hannah Montana” (July 19), Jason Dolley from “Hatching Pete” (July 23 & 26), Debby Ryan from “The Suite Life on Deck” (July 30) and Alyson Stoner from “Camp Rock” (Aug. 2). More stars will be announced shortly, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com/summeratsea frequently for up-to-date information on the line-up of stars sailing. (Talent is subject to change without notice.)
“Disney Channel Summer at Sea” adds to the family-friendly fun found onboard a Disney ship. Disney Cruise Line provides a vacation experience that every member of the family feels was created just for them. Families enjoy award-winning Broadway-style entertainment at the Walt Disney Theatre, play together at high-energy deck parties featuring the only fireworks display at sea and dine in three uniquely themed restaurants. Kids delight in their own dedicated spaces and become immersed in Disney stories with their favorite characters and hosted by specially trained youth counselors. While the kids are at play, parents can slip away and relax at the spa, soak up rays at the adult-only pool, dance the night away in the clubs, or enjoy an exquisite Northern Italian meal at Palo.
Well, the time has come. We have the first official trailer for The Princess and the Frog. Originally called The Frog Princess, this film is the first Disney 2D animated feature film since Michael Eisner announced the art form dead back in 2004. That move was a slap in the face to the then soon to retire Roy Disney. Fortunately, Robert Iger reversed Eisner’s decision when he became CEO, and this December The Princess and the Frog returns the company to it’s roots.
The Disney Channel is grooming “Wizards of Waverly Place” as its next blockbuster tween franchise in the mold of “High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana.”
The cable channel has picked up a third season of the hit comedy series starring Selena Gomez and has unveiled an original telefilm, “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie,” to premiere in August.
Since the cable channel discovered Gomez during an open casting call in Dallas five years ago, it placed her in three pilots before getting her on the air with “Wizards.”
“We knew we wanted her as a star in the Disney Channel universe,” said Gary Marsh, president of entertainment for Disney Channels Worldwide.
“Wizards,” which co-stars David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise and centers on the three Russo siblings who have wizard powers, ranked in April as the No. 2 scripted series across all cable and broadcast TV among tweens 9-14.
And now, the show is getting exposure in Disney Channel’s ultimate showcase, its original movie franchise that launched “HSM.”
“This is a great example of how we can groom our stars across different genres on different platforms,” Marsh said.
Set to premiere in August, the “Wizards” movie follows the Russo kids as they embark on a vacation to the Caribbean resort where their parents met.
It is shaping up to be a summer of Selena Gomez on Disney; the channel on June 26 will premiere another original movie toplined by the actress, “Princess Protection Program.” Gomez stars alongside Demi Lovato in that one.
As for “Montana,” which recently jumped to the big screen, talks are going on for a fourth season.
Walt Disney Co.’s (DIS) deal to put ABC TV shows on Internet video site Hulu suggests Google Inc.’s (GOOG) YouTube may have to rethink its revenue-sharing business model.
Google is under increasing pressure to add more premium content to YouTube in order to attract advertisers - and revenue - from the site. But on Thursday, rival Hulu scored a big victory when Disney agreed to take a nearly 30% stake in Hulu and put full episodes of its ABC TV shows on the site.
With the deal, Hulu will be able to distribute content from three of the top four U.S. television broadcasters, giving it a commanding lead in the online premium content market. Hulu is a joint venture of General Electric Co.’s (GE) NBC Universal and News Corp. (NWS). News Corp. owns Fox Broadcasting, The Wall Street Journal and this newswire.
Neither video site provides financial details. Some analysts have estimated Hulu could have revenues of about $120 million this year, while YouTube may top $200 million. But CreditSuisse analyst Spencer Wang sparked controversy earlier this month when he said he expects YouTube to incur a $470 million loss this year.
The structure of Disney’s deal with Hulu, particularly the equity stake, suggests content creators want more involvement in online distribution businesses than Google has offered them with YouTube. Some observers say the Internet giant may be forced to offer more than just a share of the advertising revenue to attract more premium content, like television programs, to YouTube.
“Content providers don’t want to give (YouTube) content because the advertisers aren’t there yet,” said Edward Jones analyst Andy Miedler. “To get someone to jump, it may take some payments from Google.”
Forrester Research analyst Bobby Tulsiani noted that online video rental service Netflix Inc. (NFLX) recently made an undisclosed cash payment in exchange for the rights to stream Viacom Inc.’s (VIA) irreverent “South Park.” He said the recent deals suggest Google might have to tweak its business model in order to get the content it needs to monetize YouTube.
“I don’t think (YouTube) can get into the premium space with revenue-share only,” said Tulsiani. “They are going to have to make upfront payments or equity deals.”
YouTube, which Google bought for $1.6 billion in 2006, has recently added content from Sony Pictures Entertainment (SNE), MGM Studios Inc. and others. It also struck a less-comprehensive pact with ABC for clips of sports highlights and other content, and a person familiar with the situation said Google and Disney had also been in talks to put long-form content on YouTube.
It wasn’t immediately clear why Disney opted for Hulu, but the person noted Google would not be willing to offer any content provider an equity stake in YouTube.
Google said Disney’s deal with Hulu brings more content online in more places, which is a win for consumers and provides further validation of the growth of the online video market.
“The average YouTube viewer spends nearly 150 minutes a month watching videos on YouTube. We expect numbers like this to grow on our site and across the Web as more niche and mainstream video content continues to be uploaded and enjoyed,” Google said in a statement.
YouTube attracted more than 100 million viewers in March, but advertisers have remained wary about putting up their ads next to YouTube’s unpredictable user-generated videos.
Hulu had only 41 million unique viewers in March, but its library of premium content is particularly attractive to advertisers, and the site can thus charge much higher ad rates than YouTube.
Home to the month’s No. 1 TV telecast with HANNAH MONTANA and the No. 1 TV movie with the debut of 75th original movie, HATCHING PETE, Disney Channel ranked as TV’s No. 1 network in Total Day in Tweens 9-14 (478,000/2.0 rating), a position held each week throughout the month in the key demo.
In addition, Disney Channel generated its largest audience in the daypart in 8 months (since August 08) in Total Viewers (1.5 million), Kids 6-11 (564,000) and Tweens 9-14 (478,000), making this month the network’s most-watched April ever in the key targets. Year to year, the net improved by hefty double-digit percentages: +15% in Total Viewers (vs. 1.3 million), +21% in Kids 6-11 (vs. 465,000) and +25% in Tweens 9-14 (vs. 381,000).
Disney Channel delivered the month’s No. 1 TV telecast in Tweens 9-14 with HANNAH MONTANA, as its original outing on Sunday, April 19 (2.1 million/8.4 rating) overshadowed both first run airings of Nickelodeon’s ICARLY for the month (4/11/09 - 1.9 million/7.9 rating; 4/22/09 - 1.7 million/6.9 rating) and all 8 AMERICAN IDOL telecasts on Fox. In Kids 6-11, HANNAH MONTANA was the month’s No. 2 live-action telecast on all of TV (2.0 million/8.0 rating), also surpassing every telecast of American Idol during the month.
In Prime, April 09 wrapped as Disney Channel’s most-watched month in target kid demos in 6 months (since October 08), ranking No. 1 for the 50th consecutive month in Kids 6-11 (953,000/3.9 rating) and for the 49th in Tweens 9-14 (804,000/3.3 rating).
Also impressive, driven by hit series MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE and newest entry SPECIAL AGENT OSO, the net’s preschool targeted Playhouse Disney block recorded the largest Total Viewer (1.3 million) and Kid 2-5 (504,000) audiences for an April ever in the daypart, climbing by a considerable 24% over year-ago levels in both categories.
Program Highlights
– The premiere of the net’s 75th original movie, HATCHING PETE (4/24/09, 8:00-9:40 p.m.) stood as the month’s No. 1 TV movie in Kids 6-11 (1.7 million/7.0 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (1.6 million/6.4 rating), and cable’s most-watched movie in Total Viewers (4.1 million).
– In Tweens 9-14, on an all-play basis, Disney Channel was home to the months’ Top 2 scripted TV shows with SONNY WITH A CHANCE (1.2 million/4.8 rating) and Wizards of Waverly Place (898,000/3.7 rating), and 4 of the Top 5 with HANNAH MONTANA (No. 4 — 822,000/3.4 rating) and THE SUITE LIFE ON DECK (No. 5 – 810,000/3.3 rating) added to the mix.
– In Kids 6-11, among all regularly scheduled series, Disney Channel delivered TV’s No. 1 scripted TV series for the month with SONNY WITH A CHANCE (1.2 million/5.0 rating), 3 of the Top 4 when including WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE (No. 3 — 982,000/4.0 rating) and HANNAH MONTANA (No. 4 — 968,000/4.0 rating).
– A consistent Top 10 player each week, in April 09 MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE ranked among TV’s Top 10 programs in core Kids 2-5 demo (No. 8 — 711,000/4.4 rating).
– Launched at the top of the month, SPECIAL AGENT OSO ranked No. 1 versus all TV in its time slot in Kids 2-5 (619,000/3.8 rating, M-Su, 8:00-8:30 a.m.), towering over runner-up Nickelodeon by 31% (454,000/2.8 rating — PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, SPONGEBOB and FAIRLY ODDPARENTS).
Source: Nielsen Media Research, April 09: 3/30/09-4/26/09 — Live+7 blended with Live+SD unless otherwise noted. Telecast rankings based on Live + Same Day. Ratings based on national rating unless otherwise noted. All rankings sorted on 000s, then rating.
