New Series ‘The Doomies,’ ‘Dragon Striker’ Lead Packed Disney TV Slate

Disney Television Animation, Disney Junior, and Disney EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) hosted their annual Annecy Festival studio presentation on Wednesday, giving a detailed look at what the tv divisions of the mouse factory have planned for tv and streaming in the coming months.

During the presentation, three new series were announced as well as news of several returning shows. Standouts among the day’s reveals included new series Dragon Striker, produced by Cyber Group Studios and La Chouette Compagnie, and The Doomies from I Lost My Body studio Xilam Animation.

According to Orion Ross, VP of animation, Disney EMEA, “The Doomies and Dragon Striker are the first part of a new slate of animated originals we’re developing in EMEA for global family audiences on Disney Channel and Disney+. These ambitious, premium series will introduce the work of leading creators from our region to the world, and we are both honored and inspired to be working with this new generation of storytellers.”

 

 

Below, a breakdown of the titles featured during Wednesday’s presentation, all of which will appear on Disney+ and other Disney platforms:

NEW SERIES

Dragon Striker

The series, created and produced by Sylvain Dos Santos, will be directed by Charles Lefebvre from screenplays by writer Paul McKeown. Cyber Group Studios and La Chouette Compagnie produce for Disney EMEA.

Synopsis: When the world’s most popular sport combines with magic, awesomeness escalates quicker than a dragon-powered strike! In this action-packed adventure full of comedy and high-stakes sports drama, elite players have a magical signature move they can use on the pitch. 12-year-old Key is a farm boy fanboy who can only dream of entering the famous school where the greatest players train before joining the big leagues—until he discovers he has his own ultra-powerful spell and may even be the legendary Dragon Striker. Key joins a team of hapless underdogs who band together to take on the school champions while fighting to prevent an ancient evil from resurfacing.

 

 

The Doomies

The series is co-created by Andrès Fernandez – who will direct – and Pozla (aka Rémi Zaarour), and written by Henry Gifford. Xilam Animation produces for Disney EMEA, with Marc du Pontavice acting as producer.

The first season will be comprised of 22 half-hours.

Synopsis: When best friends Bobby and Romy mistakenly open a gateway to another world, they turn their sleepy coastal town into a hotspot for terrifying creatures of doom. Roped into an epic supernatural mystery, they will cross paths with the so-called “Chosen One” and do battle with both literal and inner monsters. The Doomies is a spooky comedy that combines thrills, chills, and surprises with character-driven comedy from an odd couple of ordinary teens engulfed by extraordinary circumstances. Its fast-paced humor and high-stakes action take place in a quirky French town in the heart of Brittany, imagined with moody flair and graphic style.

Zombies: The Re-Animated Series

Disney Television Animation produces the series. Aliki Theofilopoulos, Jack Ferraiolo, Gary Marsh, David Light, and Joseph Raso are executive producing.

Synopsis: Every day is a surprise at Seabrook High—whether you’re a cheerleader, a zombie, a werewolf or even a vampire! ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series invites us into the daily lives of Zed, Addison, Eliza, Willa and the entire Seabrook crew. This gang may have figured out each other, but they haven’t quite figured out how to survive high school. Get ready for more musical fun and new friends as Seabrook becomes the #1 destination for all kinds of mythical monsters looking for a fresh start. And this means some pretty wild adventures—from the cafeteria to the football field—because sometimes the scariest thing you have to face is high school.

 

 

SERIES RENEWALS

Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life

Xilam Animation returns to animate the second season of this Disney EMEA show. Jean Cayrol (Floopaloo, Paprika), Fred Martin (A Kind of Magic, Oggy Oggy), and Kahlil Ben Nahmane (Zig and Sharko, Oggy Next Gen) direct, with Nicole Paglia as head writer.

The second season expands on the original order of 39 seven-minute shorts with a new order of 54 shorts.

Synopsis: Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life stars Disney’s much-loved chipmunk underdogs in a non-verbal, classic-style comedy, following the ups and downs of two little creatures living life in the big city. Combining the traditions of slapstick cartoons with contemporary, comedic character-driven narratives, season two introduces huge new adventures for the two tiny troublemakers. Nervous worrier Chip and laid-back dreamer Dale are joined in their perpetual pursuit of acorns by Donald, Pluto, Butch and other iconic Disney characters as they face down bullies, great and small.

Monsters At Work

Melissa Kurtz produces for Disney Television Animation with Kevin Deters as executive producer and Stevie Wermers as supervising director.
Season two synopsis: In season two, new doors of opportunity unexpectedly open at rival energy company FearCo and Tylor’s co-workers at Monsters Inc. begin to question where his loyalties truly lie. As his Laugh Floor partnership with Val is pushed to the brink, Tylor must discover where he really belongs.

Marvel’s Spidey And His Amazing Friends

 

 

Disney Junior and Marvel Studios produce in association with Atomic Cartoons produce, with Harrison Wilcox as executive producer, Bart Jennett as co-executive producer, Steve Grover as supervising producer, and Becca Topol as co-producer and story editor.

Season two synopsis: The first full-length Marvel series for preschoolers, 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. Season two premieres this fall and sees the addition of Iron Man, Ant-Man, Wasp, Retpil, Black Cat, Sandman, and Electro.
Mickey Mouse Funhouse

Phil Weinstein is supervising director and executive producer for Disney Television Animation, with Thomas Hart serving as co-executive producer and supervising story editor, and Steve Walby as producer.
The whimsical animated series Mickey Mouse Funhouse introduces preschoolers’ first pal, Mickey Mouse, and his friends—Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto—to Funny, an enchanted talking playhouse who takes the Sensational Six on adventures of all types to unique worlds that inspire the imagination. Designed to inspire kids to expand their creative play, encourage wish fulfillment and impart lessons of friendship and ingenuity, each episode features two 11-minute stories separated by a midway stretch break. A 22-minute special, Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Pirate Adventure, is also set to premiere this August and features legendary pirate Captain Salty Bones as he invites Mickey, Minnie, and friends to join the biggest treasure hunt ever and see if they can become true pirates.

OTHER NEWS
Disney also announced that it has ordered 10 additional episodes of each of these previously-announced upcoming titles: Hamster & Gretel, Kiff, Hailey’s On It, and Primos. This will boost the first seasons for each of these titles to 30 episodes.

During the Annecy presentation, Disney also shared sneak peeks at Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, and the upcoming documentary Mickey: The Story of a Mouse.

The studio also went through the current Disney Junior slate, including Eureka!, Firebuds, SuperKitties, Kindergarten: The Musical, Hey A.J.,  and RoboGobo. Disney Television Animation’s current lineup was also spotlighted, including Big City Greens, The Owl House, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

And finally, the studio talked about the importance of international partnerships with studios across the EMEA region on several key titles including Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, Ghost Force, The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti, and Viking Skool.

Disney Launches Campaign To Support Families After Identifying Shared Imaginative Play Gap

The Walt Disney Company enjoys a nearly 100-year legacy of creative storytelling, which encourages adults and children to have more shared imaginative playtime together. Taking its cue from recent studies which suggest that the shared imaginative play gap is widespread with parents admitting they’ve ‘forgotten’ how to use their imagination, Disney created The Gift of Play. Inspired by Disney’s beloved stories and characters across Disney, Pixar, Star Wars™ and Marvel, The Gift of Play provides inspirational yet informative guidance, through a series of enjoyable activities and products from dress-up to Lego, to demonstrate how creativity, inventiveness and togetherness can help to reignite imagination.

Disney has brought together The Institute of Imagination, parenting experts and theatrical stage-masters to launch The Gift of Play – a campaign hosted on a dedicated website, www.disneythegiftofplay.co.za.

 

 

To help re-ignite the imagination, the website hosts a range of free-to-view videos, including easy to follow ‘how-tos’ and resources devoted to families enjoying more imaginative play time together, including The Gift of Play guide. The free 22-page handbook, which includes a series of Disney Princess and Frozen themed play-starter scenarios, has been created by parenting experts and theatrical stage-masters, to inspire adults and children to use their own surroundings and Disney stories to stimulate imagination, creativity - and most of all, have fun playing.

The Gift of Play was developed following recent research conducted by Disney, that polled over 5,000 adults across the UK and Europe all with kids under the age of 12, with a focus on discovering thoughts and behaviours around playtime. The results show that while eight in ten parents admit their kids are happier when they play all together, almost half (48 per cent) say they feel uninspired and lost when it came to planning ways to play, and one in two struggle to find the resources that could help them.

The study also reveals a few more interesting statistics, including the fact that 80 per cent of respondents recognise the importance of play for a child’s development, but nearly half (45 per cent) say that family life is too busy and 40 per cent of those feel they don’t have the time to join in when it comes to shared playtime.

 

 

In the South African context, local studies* in recent years highlight the importance of play relating to South Africa. Durban-based Registered Psychological Counsellor Zakkiya Suleman says: “From a South African educational standpoint, we see learning through play as an important facet of a child’s life. There are policies framing South African early education, play and play-based approaches which are deemed part of quality practices.”

Zakkiya goes on to explain that from day one, children are eager and determined to understand how the world works and they do this through play. “They are using all the “tools” they have at their disposal. Play is not only fun, but it’s one of the most important ways you can nurture their development. There are no rules when it comes to playing and while it’s also fun, it’s important to young children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Through play children learn problem-solving, interpersonal skills, communication, and other skills integral to success in school and life,” she adds.

Luke Roberts, General Manager, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, The Walt Disney Company Africa says: “There is nothing more special than a bond between parent and child and at Disney we know that those bonds need nurturing. Shared play can be both an exciting and enriching exercise and Disney is offering support to parents and caregivers to unlock their imaginations and find inspiration in our guide and with our products to engage with children and create a fun, learning environment for them.”

 

A short piece of live action content demonstrating how adults can use Disney’s The Gift of Play to engage with their children and have more fun together, is also be available to view on The Gift of Play website. The campaign will be supported by various snippets of shared imaginative play content, syndicated on the Disney Family social media channels across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Supporting products featured in the guide across Disney, Pixar, Star Wars™ and Marvel are available to purchase from all leading retailers nationwide.

Disney Junior Africa Premieres Alice's Wonderland Bakery This June

Disney Junior’s “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery,” a fantastical animated series for pre-schoolers and their families inspired by the world of “Alice in Wonderland,” premieres this Saturday, 4 June 2022 on Disney Junior, DStv channel 309 at 08:30.

A vibrant new take on the classic 1951 film, the series centres on Alice, the great-granddaughter of the original heroine and a budding young baker at the enchanted Wonderland Bakery, where her magical treats help bring a new generation of friends and families together.

 

Featuring reimagined versions of familiar iconic characters and introducing memorable new ones, the series stars newcomer Libby Rue as the voice of Alice as well as a slew of celebrity guest stars. See the trailer to the series here.

Each episode of “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery,” comprised of two 11-minute stories, centres on Alice’s magical recipe adventures with her best pals, who join her in the bakery to whip up whimsical cakes and treats for friends and neighbours with enchanted kitchen tools and ingredients to help them.

“With so many already familiar with the magic and whimsy of the classic story of Alice in Wonderland – we are sure that this wonderful new series will delight and captivate a new generation of fans,” says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa. “Disney Junior is delighted to introduce this series that celebrates the culture and creativity of food, highlights self-expression, and imparts age-appropriate social and emotional lessons about friendship, collaboration, and the importance of community,” she adds.

 

 

Geared to kids ages 2-5 and their families, “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery” features Alice’s recipe adventures with her best pals—Fergie, a white rabbit; Hattie, her madcap friend; and Rosa, the Princess of Hearts, as well as her great grandmother’s magical cookbook, Cookie. Alice is inquisitive, persistent and resourceful as she experiments with her baking and invents out-of-the-box solutions for problems that arise. Food is an important part of Alice’s identity, connecting her family from generation to generation and allowing her to discover the distinct family heritages of her friends, each with a wide array of tastes and traditions.

In addition to Rue, the lead voice cast includes Abigail Estrella (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”) as Princess Rosa, the Princess of Hearts and Alice’s most artistic friend; CJ Uy (“The Ball Method”) as Hattie, a “mad-hatter” boy and Alice’s silliest friend; Jack Stanton (“Outmatched”) as Fergie the White Rabbit, Alice’s best friend and biggest fan; Secunda Wood (“Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous”) as Cookie, the magical cookbook that once belonged to Alice’s great grandmother; and Audrey Wasilewski (“Mad Men”) as Dinah, Alice’s pet cat who is always at her side. Max Mittelman (“Spider-Man”) recurs as Cheshire Cat, Alice’s mysterious and playful friend and one of the most iconic Wonderland characters.

“Alice’s Wonderland Bakery” is produced by Disney Television Animation. Emmy® Award-nominated Chelsea Beyl (Peabody Award-winning “Doc McStuffins”) is executive producer, and Frank Montagna (“Elena of Avalor”) is co-executive producer and art director. Ciara Anderson (“Harley Quinn”) is producer, Lisa Kettle (“Mira, Royal Detective”) is story editor, and Emmy-nominated Nathan Chew (“Elena of Avalor”) is supervising director. The writing team consists of Melinda LaRose (“Vampirina”), Michael Rodriguez (“Sharkdog”), Marisa Evans-Sanden (“Fancy Nancy”), Stuart Friedel (“Clifford the Big Red Dog”) and Sara Karimipour (“Ryan’s Mystery Playdate”), and episodic directors are Steven Umbleby (“Monsters at Work”) and Arielle Yett (“The Chicken Squad”). Emmy winner John Kavanaugh (“Sofia the First,” “Elena of Avalor”) serves as the series’ songwriter/music director and Matthew Margeson (“Rocketman”) is composer.

Roundups #52: Cartoon Network Expand Original Animation Slate With ‘Driftwood,’ And ‘Invincible Fight Girl’, SpongeBob SquarePants Launched A Children's Bible And Disney+ Expand Their Preschool Lineup With Disney Junior

HBO Max and Cartoon Network Studios have announced two new animated kids and family commissions

Driftwood – Created and executive produced by Victor Courtright (Aquaman: King of Atlantis), the feature is billed as a “an original animated space opera with big laughs, heart and adventure for the entire family.” The series follows the journey of a mouse-like creature named Clover who must defeat the villainous overlord Thorn to save her home from a toxic fuel source. Along the way, Clover finds allies in Marigold and Caspia, and together the three defend the forest on the edge of infinity.

Invincible Fight Girl – From first-time executive producer-creator Juston Gordon-Montgomery (DC Super Hero Girls), Invincible Fight Girl is an action-comedy set in a world where where wrestling is more than just sports entertainment; it’s a way of life. The show follows Andy, a young girl with dreams of becoming the greatest-ever wrestler. With the help of cynical retired wrestler Aunt P, Andy adopts the moniker “Fight Girl” and begins training. Further support comes from Mikey, an aspiring wrestling analyst, and Craig, a schemer who is always looking for an angle.

 

SpongeBob SquarePants lost media enters the surface

When SpongeBob SquarePants was pitched to Nickelodeon by Stephen Hillenburg, a series of pages were created. This shows off Sponge Boy, Patrick, Squidward, and all the key elements of Bikini Bottom that would make up SpongeBob SquarePants.

The SpongeBob SquarePants pitch bible has been lost media ever since Stephen Hillenburg made it. Pages have come out every once in a while, but the full document hasn't been seen by the public until last year. In it, we get lost SpongeBob episodes and scenes, a surprise romance with Sandy Cheeks, different designs for The Chum Bucket and The Krusty Krab, and so much more!

Click Here To Get The Bible

Disney Junior and Disney+ fill their stockings for another 2 years

Hey A.J., based on the books by Martellus Bennett, is produced by LA-based Surfing Giant Studios in association with Disney Junior. The series features seven-year-old girl A.J., who uses her imagination to find excitement in ordinary activities. Bennett, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh and Michael Hodges will serve as EPs.

 

The kidscaster is also teaming up with Dublin-based Brown Bag Films on Robogobo. The series follows a group of adopted pets who become superheroes with the help of robo-suits from a kid inventor named Jax. Robogobo is being developed for TV by Matt Hoverman, who is also a co-EP and story editor, while creator Chris Gilligan also serves as an EP and supervising director.

LA-based Oddbot Entertainment will bring Broadway to the classroom with Kindergarten: The Musical, a co-pro with Disney Junior. The series enters the world of five-year-old Birdy who tackles everyday challenges by expressing her emotions through musical numbers. Creators Michelle Lewis and Charlton Pettus will serve as EPs along with ​​Tom Warburton, Kay Hanley, and Dan Petty. Co-EP Laurie Israel is also attached as story editor.

 

The kidcaster is also co-producing SuperKitties with New York and London-based Silvergate Media to tell the story of four superhero kittens who take on bad guys and hope to make Kittydale a “pawesome” place. Creator Paula Rosenthal will serve as EP with Kirk Van Wormer attached as co-EP.

Two short-form series Me & Mickey and Winnie the Pooh (working title) were also announced. While the former will feature Mickey Mouse in a vlog-inspired format, the latter is described as a musical series starring Winnie the Pooh and his friends.

The Walt Disney Company Investing More Than 500 Series For Regional Content For Disney+, This Includes More Regional European Animation and Anime For The Animation Catalog

Disney has previously revealed it has 500 shows in the pipeline outside of the U.S., but on Wednesday, the company broke down for the first time how those planned local-language programs are being dispersed throughout global regions.

According to Christine M. McCarthy, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, 140 of those shows are in the works in the Asia/Pacific region, including Southeast Asia; 150 are in markets in Europe, West Asia and Africa; 100 are set up in India, and another 200 are being developed for Latin America audiences.

 

 

Elsewhere on the call, CEO Bob Chapek was pressed by analysts on another international topic: Disney’s lack of traction in recent months with getting its movies approved for release in China. Noting that the latest MCU release — “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” — reached nearly $500 million worldwide in its opening weekend without a berth in China, the world’s most populous country, Chapek said the box office split in China is not as generous for distributors as it is in other overseas markets.

 

‘It doesn’t really preclude our success, given the relatively lower take rate that we get in the box office in China compared to the rest of the world,” Chapek said.

Ahead of Disney’s quarterly earnings call on Wednesday, the company reported Disney+ gained 7.9 million customers in the first three months of 2022 to reach 137.7 million subscribers total. That new figure is up 33% year over year. The stat beat analysts expectations, as Wall Street had forecast Disney+ would net 5.2 million new subscribers for the quarter that ended on March 31, per FactSet.

Disney+ is currently available in 64 countries across North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific and Latin America. Disney+ Hotstar is offered by Disney in India.

 

Disney’s trio of streaming services reached 205.6 million globally (a quarterly net increase of 9.2 million, driven by Disney+). As of the end of the quarter, that included 45.6 million for Hulu (up 10% year over year) and 22.3 million for ESPN+ (up 62% year over year). Disney+ subs in the U.S./Canada region netted 1.5 million in the March 2022 quarter, to 44.4 million.

Also during the call, McCarthy said, while Disney had previously expected fiscal ’22 content spending to be as much as $33 billion, it now projects about $32 billion because of a “slightly slower cadence of spending than anticipated” during the first half of 2022.

Roundups #48: Ellen's Game Of Games Makes Its Free-To-Air Debut On eReality, Vice TV Calls Its Quits For Dark Side Of The Ring And Disney Junior Announce Four New Series

Ellen is now on eReality

Earlier in the year, the controversial talk show host wrapped production of Game Of Games which was currently seen on M-Net saw contestants play in one of four preliminary games. The winner
of each game advances to the semi-final round for a chance to win $100,000.

Through several ads, it was confirmed that the cancelled game show would be made available to eReality from the 29th May at 6pm - eMedia basically proved MultiChoice's hypothesis with them duplicating their offering.

 

 

Dark Side Of The Ring canned???

The news comes as a bit of a surprise, as Dark Side of the Ring had become the most-watched series in Vice's history. Its third season was even given a supersized order of 14 episodes, up from the 10 given to season 2 and only six episodes for season 1. The docuseries had also garnered acclaim from critics and viewers.

Meltzer claims that the series was likely canceled due to controversy stemming from season 3. In particular, the "Plane Ride from Hell" episode had drawn some criticism as there were "inconsistencies" in some stories told, perhaps with wrestlers mixing up details from that infamous plane ride with others that had happened around that time.

 

The producers are teaming up with Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions to develop a new wrestling-based docuseries for the network. It is said to follow the territory days of pro wrestling that were around before Vince McMahon's WWF (now WWE) completely changed the business in the 1980s.

Disney Junior greenlit four series

Disney Junior has unveiled new original content, including four series and two shorts, that will be launching across the preschool channel and Disney+ through 2024.

Hey A.J., based on the books by Martellus Bennett, is produced by LA-based Surfing Giant Studios in association with Disney Junior. The series features seven-year-old girl A.J., who uses her imagination to find excitement in ordinary activities. Bennett, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh and Michael Hodges will serve as EPs.

 

The kidscaster is also teaming up with Dublin-based Brown Bag Films on Robogobo. The series follows a group of adopted pets who become superheroes with the help of robo-suits from a kid inventor named Jax. Robogobo is being developed for TV by Matt Hoverman, who is also a co-EP and story editor, while creator Chris Gilligan also serves as an EP and supervising director.

LA-based Oddbot Entertainment will bring Broadway to the classroom with Kindergarten: The Musical, a co-pro with Disney Junior. The series enters the world of five-year-old Birdy who tackles everyday challenges by expressing her emotions through musical numbers. Creators Michelle Lewis and Charlton Pettus will serve as EPs along with ​​Tom Warburton, Kay Hanley, and Dan Petty. Co-EP Laurie Israel is also attached as story editor.

The kidcaster is also co-producing SuperKitties with New York- and London-based Silvergate Media to tell the story of four superhero kittens who take on bad guys and hope to make Kittydale a “pawesome” place. Creator Paula Rosenthal will serve as EP with Kirk Van Wormer attached as co-EP.

Roundups #47: Ice Age TV Series Rumoured To Be In Development For Disney Junior And Disney+, Discovery+ Set To Premiere Tyra Bank Produced Series And Carlos Ponce And Marjorie De Sousa Team Up On Upcoming Lifetime Series

Ice Age enters the preschool market

The Ice Age pack returned recently with The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild and Disney has been making clear that, besides working on a 7th feature film for Disney+ by 20th Century Animation, it seems that the world of Ice Age will entertain the most youngest people on the house.

According to information from Jim Hill, from the podcast specializing in Animation: Fine Tooning, Disney Junior is developing a series with the characters from Ice Age as babies, for Disney+.

 

 

If true Ice Age Babies will be the first preschool show from the Disney Junior brand to not be for TV Broadcasting and probably one of the many Preschool Original Disney Junior Shows For Disney+ that Bob Chapek promised on the Q3 2021, to compete with Netflix Preschool programming.

Tyra Banks returns to fashion world

Generation Drag follows five teenagers as they participate in the Dragutante, a drag show designed as a platform for LGBTQ+ teens to express themselves, as well as the parents and other family members who are learning to support them. All six episodes of the docuseries will be released on Discovery+ on June 1.

“I have such admiration and respect for these teens. They are bravely navigating coming into their own in a world that can be very challenging and not always accepting. What is so beautiful is seeing their parents and siblings supporting them,” Banks said in a news release.

 

 

The series is produced by Monkey Kingdom, a subsidiary of Universal International Studios, in association with Bankable Productions and Cat Fight Productions.

Two Telemundo stars join forces for new series

Marjorie de Sousa revealed her new project. After weeks releasing the occasional clue, the Venezuelan actress announced that she will participate in the series “Amores que deceit”, where she will share the screen with Carlos Ponce.

 

According to Lifetime, 'Amores que deceit’ tells different stories based on human dramas of real women in everyday situations, dealing with love, illusion and trust, pain, betrayal, disappointment and, in some cases, the crime”.

The drama will be made up of 10 unit episodes that narrate the same number of independent stories. Miami, Guadalajara and São Paulo are the places where the stories take place. In the case of Marjorie, her episode has as its epicenter the capital of the state of Jalisco, in Mexico.

Disney Channel And Disney Junior Have Been Zombified

The Walt Disney Company has closed several channels across the world including the UK, Latin America, Australia and Asia with Europe and Africa expected to lose more channels once Disney+ enters the market.

Disney Channel and Disney Junior seem to be repeat padded as South Africa gears up for the launch of Disney+ in May.

Although consumers won't be losing the channels until at least fall 2023 or early 2024. The pair seem to be going the route of their former sister channels FOX and Disney XD where the lineup is stacked with repeats.

Disney Junior shifted most of their primetime to weekends while reruns of their programs often surface on Disney Channel. Walk The Prank which is an XD original launches on the main channel. All the more reason to think these channels are done for in Africa.

 

If I had to guess what fate awaits the remaining channels it would be easy. The Walt Disney Company will increase the load of reruns in an attempt to lure consumers onto Disney+ and continue sourcing out more content even if it was seen on other stations.

Conspiracy theory
The question only boils down to the closures
I know the agreement with MultiChoice expires by the end of 2023 or sometime in 2024 but is it possible that there could be more to the deal.

Since South Africa will be the first market to get Disney+. What if 2024 included a set of dates for their linear channels some of which are for 2022.

 

In Asia, the channels closed down in phases and the idea of the same fate awaiting for these ones in Africa doesn't seem far fetched as the market has a history of such phases. Take for instance, Animal Planet which was shuttered in 2015 for DStv in the rest of Africa and two years later in South Africa.

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets (Lnk.Bio).

Another Disney XD Original Returns On Disney Channel Africa And Celebrate Earth Day On Disney Junior Africa With Spider-Man - April 2022 Highlights

Disney Channel:

AMPHIBIA
Season Premiere
Monday - Thursday from 4th April at 17:50

“Amphibia” chronicles the adventures of 13 year old Anne Boonchuy, who is magically transported to the fantastical world of Amphibia. There she meets an excitable young frog named Sprig Plantar, his unpredictable sister Polly and overprotective grandpa Hop Pop.

In this new season Anne and the Plantars are transported from Amphibia to her hometown of Los Angeles, where the Frog Family must learn to navigate the complexities of this modern-day world, conceal their identities as talking frog people and search for a way home.

Catch Season 3 premiere episodes from Monday, 4th April at 17:50 on Disney Channel.

WALK THE PRANK
Season Premiere
Monday – Friday from 11th April at 18:40          

The series is about practical jokers Herman, Chance, Bailey, and Dusty, who set up elaborate pranks and find real people to perform the pranks on. Their pranks usually involve supernatural, scary, funny or gross elements.

Blending scripted comedy with real hidden-camera pranks, each episode follows four kids’ antics in school and at home. 

Season 1 episodes from 11th April at 18:40 on Disney Channel.

EASTER PROGRAMMING STUNT
DISNEY MAGIC BAKE-OFF
Season Premiere
Friday, 15th April & Saturday, 16 April from 12:00 – 17:00        

Catch up on back-to-back episodes of Disney Channels’ new baking show Magic Bake-Off, which combines the wonder of baking with the ingenuity of young pastry chefs.

Also read:
- Cartoonito coming soon to Boomerang in two months
- The risk of Disney's fix on quick subscriber growth
- The real origin story of Pocahontas
- April on JimJam
- March on Da Vinci Kids
- March on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
- What to expect on DStv's newest addition DreamWorks Channel?
- March on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons
- March on Disney Channel and Junior
- Possible channel closures from Warner Bros. Discovery

Imagination rules and teamwork triumphs as three teams of two race against the clock to design a Disney-inspired cake, including classics such as “Star Wars,” “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” “Descendants,” “Zombies” and more.

Watch the entire season of Disney Magic Bake-Off on 15th and 16th April at 12:00 on Disney Channel.

Disney Junior:

MIRA      
Premiere Episodes                                 
Saturday, 2nd April & Sunday, 3rd April at 17:30
Brand – new episodes of Season 2 of Mira, Royal Detective as a weekend stunt, 2nd and 3rd April at 17:30
Inspired by the cultures and customs of India, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a young girl who travels throughout the fictional land of Jalpur solving mysteries for her friends, family and extended community.

In one of the new episodes, “Mystery in the Sky”, when Mira sees a strange speck in the sky, her friends help her investigate what it could be.

Matched  

Then in “The Case of the Message in a Bottle”, Mira and her friends follow the clues found in a message in a bottle.

Tune in for new episodes from Season 2 episodes of Mira, Royal Detective on 2nd and 3rd April at 17:30 on Disney Junior

T.O.T.S                                 
New episodes
Monday – Friday from 18th April at 14:00
“T.O.T.S.,” a heartfelt animated comedy series for pre-schoolers, explores the hilarious adventures of best friends Pip and Freddy, a tenacious penguin and a kind-hearted flamingo, who are the only non-stork delivery birds in-training T.O.T.S. As new members of the esteemed team, these junior flyers must use tender care in taking baby animals—kittens, cubs, calves, bunnies, puppies and joeys among them—from the nursery to their forever families around the globe.

In the first of the new episodes, “The Great Fredamingo” (Monday, 18th April at 14:00), Freddy mistakenly thinks he turned Pip into a penguin lovey with his latest magic trick. In “Ram-Bunctious Baby” – When JP tries to control a baby ram delivery, the little guy becomes more rambunctious.

Catch brand-new episodes of T.O.T.S from 18th – 22nd April 14:00 on Disney Junior

Also read:
- Press Release: DreamWorks Channel launching on DStv
- eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz will stop airing on DStv
- PBS Kids will be made available to DStv Easyview customers
- Could Timeless Dizi Channel and possibly tvN replace eExtra on DStv?
- KIX will be made available to DStv Family and Access customers
- Could Zee World also be made available to DStv Access?
- Big Brother Liberia (now titled Housemates Liberia) is coming soon to DStv
- A second movie channel will be launching on DStv later in the year

MARVEL SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS
Special Earth Day Event
Friday, 22nd April from 16:00 - 20:00

“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for pre-schoolers.
The series follows Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales and their adventures as the young heroes 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.

In the Earth Day inspired episode “Going Green” Team Spidey must stop Green Goblin from spewing his green gas all over the park in order to make it safe for the trees again.

Then in the episode “Coming Clean” – After Peter’s new invention begins swallowing everything in its path, he and Miles work to stop it.
Swing into action this Earth Day with Spidey and His Amazing Friends on 22nd April from 16:00 on Disney Junior

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Disney Updates: Pauses Linear Operations In Russia + Disney XD USA Rumoured To Close Down In 2022 Alongside Several Other Linear Channels

Disney Linear Channels In Russia Pauses Operations Amid Current Conflict

The Walt Disney Co. is pausing all of its business in Russia in light of the country’s invasion of Ukraine, a company spokesperson says.

Disney had previously paused all theatrical releases in Russia, but the new move takes things a step further. The company says that it will be pausing “content and product licensing, Disney Cruise Line activities, National Geographic magazine and tours, local content productions and linear channels broadcasting.

Also read:
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- The real origin story of Pocahontas
- April on JimJam
- Paramount might be scrapping MTV Base and MTV Classic from the UK
- Boss Baby returns with new animated series
- March on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
- What to expect on DStv's newest addition DreamWorks Channel?
- March on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons
- March on Disney Channel and Junior
- Possible channel closures from Warner Bros. Discovery

WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. suspended their operations and will resume depending on the developments in the Ukraine.

RUMOR: Disney XD USA Alongside Several Other Channels To Shutdown In The Upcoming Months

FOX Life is expected to close down within the region later this month following ESPN Classic in 2021. According to Señal News, several linear channels including Disney XD, Disney Junior, Nat Geo Wild, FXM, and ESPNU are expected to follow in the coming months.

Señal News hasn't always been accurate but The Walt Disney Company has been closing down several channels across the world due to Disney+ so the idea of it happening in the US doesn't seem far fetched.

 

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- Keanu Reeves cast in upcoming DC movie
- A list of series coming to Cartoonito/Boomerang in EMEA
- The Electric Mayhem getting a new series on Disney+
- Could Moonbug Kids replace Disney Junior on DStv and Baby TV on StarSat?
- The Deep coming soon to Da Vinci Kids

The Walt Disney Company is on the road to close down 100 channels globally and as seen in the UK and Asia brands like Disney Channel and National Geographic ceased to exist.

The channels in question are justified Disney XD has become another Nicktoons, Disney+ needs more content and what better way than to source from National Geographic and there's several other movie channels so it wouldn't make much of a difference if FXM no longer existed.

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TRAGEDY 💔: The True Story Of Disney's Beloved Fairytale Princess, Pocahontas

Many tales have been told about Pocahontas, but not all of them are true.

Pocahontas has been romanticized throughout American history, thanks in no small part to the accounts of English settlers John Smith and John Rolfe, and of course, the 1995 Disney animated movie. But who was the real Pocahontas?

To help dispel the many myths surrounding the popular Native American figure, here are some facts that originate from Native American oral history and contemporary historical accounts.

Pocahontas was actually her nickname

Born around 1596, Pocahontas was actually known as Amonute, and to those closest to her, Matoaka. The name Pocahontas, in fact, belonged to her mother, who died while giving birth to her.

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Devastated by his wife's death, Pocahontas' father, Chief Powhatan Wahunseneca of the Pamunkey tribe of Virginia, called his little daughter Pocahontas as a nickname, which meant "playful one" or "ill-behaved child."

A spirited young girl who liked to do cartwheels, Pocahontas grew up to be a brave and intelligent leader and translator on behalf of her people.

There was no romance between Pocahontas and John Smith

By the time 27-year-old Smith and the rest of the English colonists arrived on Native American lands in 1607, Pocahontas was probably around 10 years old. Despite Smith embellishing the idea of a romance between them in order to sell books that he'd later author, they were never involved.
What is true is that Smith spent a few months with Pocahontas' tribe as a captive, and while there, he and Pocahontas taught each other basic aspects of their respective language.

Pocahontas would later marry Indian warrior Kocoum at age 14 and shortly give birth to their son "little Kocoum."

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Pocahontas didn't warn Smith of a planned assassination against him

While Smith was being held prisoner, Chief Powhatan grew to trust him. In 1607 the chief decided to offer Smith a "werowance" role, which was the tribe's way of acknowledging him as an official leader of the colonies, giving him access to coveted resources such as food and better land.
Smith would later allege that while he trained to become a werowance, Pocahontas warned him of a deadly plot against him, and thus, saved his life. However, contemporary accounts show that if a Native American chief was honoring a man, there would be no threat to his life.

Additionally, children were forbidden to attend a werowance ceremony, so Pocahontas wouldn't have been present.

Pocahontas was not traded to the English; she was kidnapped and raped

With tensions rising between the Powhatan and the English, rumors spread that Pocahontas was a prime target for kidnapping. Hoping to prevent future attacks by Native Americans, English Captain Samuel Argall made those rumors a reality and took the Chief's beloved daughter away with him after threatening violence against her village.

Before leaving, Argall offered a copper pot to the tribe and later claimed the two parties had made a trade. Forced to leave her husband and small son, Pocahontas boarded an English ship, not knowing that colonists had murdered her husband Kocoum shortly after.

While captive in Jamestown, Pocahontas was raped by possibly more than one colonist — an act that was incomprehensible to Native Americans. She grew into a deep depression and had a second son out of wedlock. That son would be named Thomas Rolfe, whose biological father may have actually been Sir Thomas Dale.

Pocahontas was not an eager goodwill ambassador of the New World

The story of Pocahontas marrying tobacco planter Rolfe for love is highly unlikely, especially considering Rolfe was under great financial pressure to somehow forge an alliance with the Powhatan to learn their secret tobacco curing techniques.

In the end, he decided the best way to win over the Powhatan was to marry Pocahontas, who all the while was being forced to wear English clothes, convert to Christianity and adopt the name, Rebecca.

Out of fear of being kidnapped himself, Chief Powhatan didn't attend Rolfe and Pocahontas' wedding ceremony and instead, offered a pearl necklace as a gift. He'd never see his daughter again.

To help further fund the tobacco business in the colonies, Rolfe took Pocahontas and son Thomas with him to England to show the court the "goodwill" between the colonists and Native Americans. Thus, Pocahontas was used as a prop, paraded around as an Indian princess who embraced western culture.

Although she was considered in good health right before leaving England, Pocahontas suddenly fell ill and died after dining with Rolfe and Argall, the man who kidnapped her. The tribesmen who accompanied Pocahontas on the trip believed she was poisoned.

At the time of her death, Pocahontas was around 21 years of age. She was buried in Gravesend, England at Saint George’s Church on March 21, 1617. The location of her remains is unknown.

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Marinette And Adrian Are Back For Another Instalment Of Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir On Disney Channel Africa And The PJ Masks Go On A Camping Trip On Disney Junior Africa - March 2022 Highlights

Disney Channel:

MIRACULOUS: TALES OF LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR
Premiere Episodes
Monday - Friday from 14th March at 15:15

Catch brand-new episodes from Season 4 of Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir from 14th March

Not only is Marinette Ladybug, the superheroine that protects Paris from the attack of villains, but she’s also now the guardian of the Miraculous. This means that not only does she need to keep her identity hidden, but also the existence of these turbulent, magical creatures, the Kwamis? Marinette now has to redouble efforts to protect her secrets and Ladybug will have to become stronger to face an indomitable adversary: Shadow Moth, who can now fuse the butterfly and peacock miraculous.

New Episodes from Monday, 14th March at 15:15 on Disney Channel.

SYDNEY TO THE MAX
New episodes
Monday – Thursday from 14th March at 18:15

Set in the present day with flashbacks to the 1990s, the endearing daughter/father comedy revolves around outgoing middle schooler Sydney Reynolds who lives with her single dad Max in the house he grew up in, along with her free-spirited grandmother Judy. As Sydney navigates becoming a teenager alongside her bestie Olive, Max’s flashbacks of his childhood with his best friend Leo parallel her adventures, illustrating how life’s “growing pains” evolve but don’t really change.

New episodes from 14th March at 18:15 on Disney Channel.

Disney Junior:

MIRA         
Season Premiere                               
Saturdays from 19th March at 18:30

Everyone’s favourite detective returns with Season 2 of Mira, Royal Detective from Saturday, 19th March at 18:30

Inspired by the cultures and customs of India, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a young girl who travels throughout the fictional land of Jalpur solving mysteries for her friends, family and extended community. Season two will include an episode highlighting the Islamic Eid al-Fitr holiday and episodes celebrating the festivals of Teej and Dasara, as well as four extended-length music- and dance-filled specials.

Tune in for new episodes from Season 2 episodes of Mira, Royal Detective from 19th March at 18:30 on Disney Junior.

Also read:
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- The last FOX Life available in the United States closes down in March
- Disney closing multiple channels in Latin America
- Big Blue and We Baby Bears coming soon to Cartoon Network
- Possible channel closures from Warner Bros. Discovery
- Paramount+ greenlit Knuckle TV series and Seal Team movie
- Lego launches a dedicated kids channel
- BBC Kids launches in the United States, could Africa be next?

PJ MASKS                                   
New episodes
Monday – Friday 21st March at 16:30

The PJ Masks are back for more heroics from Season 5, weekdays from 21st March at 16:30
The new season brought us new villains as well as familiar foes - Luna, Romeo, Night Ninja, Octobella and Pharaoh Boy. As they continue to combat crime, they discover more about their animal powers.

In one of the premiere episodes, The Camping Trip, Greg is scared on a camping trip and thinks his night-time powers will help him, but Orticia has something else in store.

Catch brand-new episodes of PJ Masks from 21st March at 16:30 on Disney Junior.

MARVEL SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS
New Episodes
Monday - Friday 21st March at 17:00

“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for pre-schoolers.
The series follows Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales and their adventures as the young heroes 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.

In one of the brand-new episodes “Going Green” – Team Spidey must stop Green Goblin from spewing his green gas all over the park in order to make it safe for the trees again.

Swing into action with Spidey and His Amazing Friends on 21st March at 17:00 on Disney Junior.

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Potential Replacement: Could MultiChoice And StarTimes Add Moonbug Kids Perhaps To Replace A Channel Like Disney Junior And Baby TV?

Also read:
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- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- The last FOX Life available in the United States closes down in March
- National Geographic ending in the UK and several other markets
- Cartoonito launches on Boomerang, could the same happen in Africa on DStv?
- Why VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- As Africa await for their Disney Channels to close in 2024 Latin America starts with Star Life, National Geographic Wild, Disney XD and FX Movies
- Possible terminations and additions on DStv
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Moonbug Kids is a multimedia entertainment channel founded by Britain's Moonbug Entertainment. They're home to YouTube sensations Little Baby Bum and Cocomelon basically you can find their content on streaming services.

In 2021, they partnered up with the Europe provider OSN to launch a Moonbug linear channel alongside a streaming hub for preschoolers and now the brand expands their reach to Asia with Astro TV.

This past week, it was reported Baby TV owned by The Walt Disney Company will cease operation by the end of the month in Asia as Disney is on the road to close 100 channels and Moonbug Kids was announced as the suitor by Asian provider Astro.

By late 2023 to early 2024, it is estimated that Disney Junior alongside Disney Channel, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild will no longer be available on DStv or to any provider in Africa as content shifts to Disney+.

Also read: 
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- SABC registered three possible DStv or StarSat channels: SABC Parliament, SABC Children and SABC Encore
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- Could Travel Africa Network launch on DStv or StarSat?
- Boomerang reportedly closing down across Europe, Middle East and Africa
- W-Sport has been added onto the StarTimes app
- National Geographic Kids Africa launches in 2022

MultiChoice and several other providers will have to seek potential candidates to keep viewers entertained and fill up the void inflicted by The Walt Disney Company. There's not much options for preschool market aside ZooMoo (if it's around by then) and Moonbug Kids.

Content seen on Disney Junior even the main channel won't be found on the potential candidate as it moves to Disney+ while Baby TV's set sinks to the bottom of the ocean as Disney doesn't see the need to bundle it with Disney+.

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