Disney Channel Fans

Wow… are we going from bad to worse?

The former president of ABC Family, Paul Lee, was recently promoted to President of ABC after Steve McPherson stepped down last month.

Well, now Disney has announced Lee’s replacement, Michael Riley, formerly of Radio Disney. Disney describes him as a “Respected television and radio executive” but I really don’t know if he’s up to the task of running the continually under-preforming and under-promoted ABC Family channel.

But only time will tell. Disney’s official press release follows:

MICHAEL RILEY NAMED PRESIDENT, ABC FAMILY

Burbank, California, Monday, August 30, 2010 . . . Respected television and radio executive Michael Riley has been named president, ABC Family, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks & president, Disney/ABC Television Group, to whom he will report.

In this new position, Riley will have oversight of ABC Family’s original programming and acquisitions, franchise management, marketing, sales and operations, and be responsible for the overall strategic and creative direction for the channel.

In making the announcement, Sweeney stated, “Michael’s talent and drive are eclipsed only by the enthusiasm and passion he brings to every opportunity. I’m confident his unique set of skills and experience will help us further ABC Family’s amazing momentum.”

Riley added, “I am extremely proud to have been part of a great team at Radio Disney and very much look forward to joining the incredibly passionate and inventive team at ABC Family. Their success over the past few years has been exceptional, driven by innovative storytelling, unique characters and iconic branding, and I’m honored to be given the opportunity to help build this amazing Millennial brand.”

Coming off its most watched year ever in 2009 and pacing at record levels in 2010, over the past seven years ABC Family has grown its Prime audience by impressive margins, increasing by 76% in Total Viewers (1.4 million vs. 797,000), by 70% in A18-49 (627,000 vs. 368,000) and by 78% in W18-49 (409,000 vs. 230,000). Among the net’s core younger demo sets, the net’s Prime delivery has more than doubled over the past seven years: +115% in A18-34 (348,000 vs. 162,000), +122% in W18-34 (238,000 vs. 107,000), +115% in V12-34 (584,000 vs. 271,000) and +124% in F12-34 (413,000 vs. 184,000).

Prior to this announcement, Riley served as senior vice president and general manager, Radio Disney, where he oversaw the strategic management of the Radio Disney network and its portfolio of 36 owned radio stations, leading them to record ratings through original multi-platform content achievements. He joined The Walt Disney Company in April 2008. An announcement regarding a new general manager for Radio Disney will be made in the near future.

Previously Riley was senior vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System, Europe, Middle East and Africa. In this post he was responsible for developing the CNN commercial strategy and the overall brand strategy for the entertainment channels Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TCM, TNT and Adult Swim in Germany, Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Other key responsibilities included the management of advertising sales, marketing and interactive commerce functions, as well as supporting the company’s programming development and acquisition strategy.

From 2004-06 he was vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System France, with responsibility for all Turner channels in that market. From 2000-03, he was vice president, Turner Classic Movies, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and from 1997-2000 he was vice president, Business Development, Television and Interactive Media, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.

Save Disney Shows August 2010 Events

Save 10 Things Day – 08/10/10

Save W.I.T.C.H. Day – 08/14/10

Save Kim Possible Day – 08/23/10

Save Lilo & Stitch Weekend Bash – 08/27-30/10

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

Paul Lee Promoted to President of ABC

ABC Family’s management only gave Ruby 10 episodes and ended 10 Things after only one season. Is this the kind of management Paul Lee will be bringing to the ABC Network?

The 50-year-old, London-born Lee, a former BBC television executive, [and current ABC Family President] will oversee creative and business operations for the broadcast network as well as ABC Studios, the company’s in-house TV production unit. It’s a massive job for the executive, who has spent the last decade keeping a modest profile at mid-size cable channels.

But Disney executives are confident that Lee is up to the task. They point to Lee’s variety of skills, which include producing and directing made-for-TV movies. He worked on spicy telenovelas, a staple of Spanish-language television.

Read more at the SDS Blog.

Good Luck Charlie Renewed for Season 2

In 2Q10, “Good Luck Charlie” ranked as the No. 1 series on television among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14, posting double-digit gains year to year among both demographics and defeating its time period competition by triple digits.

Good Luck Charlie has clearly gotten some pretty impressive ratings, so it’s no surprise that Disney has picked up the show for another season. However, it is a little surprising that they’ve already ordered a movie!

Read more on the DC Fans Blog.

New DCOM: Den Brother

This month’s new DCOM, Den Brother, premieres August 13th on Disney Channel. The movie stars Hutch Dano (Zeke and Luther) and G. Hannelius (Sonny With A Chance).

Hutch Dano and James Gaisford on the Den Brother Set

In the movie, 16-year-old hockey star Alex Pearson gets suspended from his team after showboating during a game, and to his dismay, finds himself filling in as a Bumble Bee Troop leader for his little sister Emily’s troop. He must pose as the troop’s elderly den mother from time to time but thinks it’s a small price to pay, especially since he can get Emily and the girls to do his chores and make him snacks in exchange for merit badges. Even more advantageous, Alex has the opportunity to get closer to the beautiful Matisse Burrows, leader of another Bumble Bee Troop. However, when his self-centered antics cost Emily and her friends an opportunity to participate in the long-anticipated Camporee, Alex finally sees how he has affected those he cares about and must devise a plan that will get his troop into the camp.

Read more on the DC Fans Blog.

Disney Channel August Highlights

Disney is premiering several new Hannah, Sonny, Wizards, Charlie, On Deck, and JONAS LA episodes this August! The full list is much too long for this email alert, so be sure to click the link below to read the full article.

Read more at the DC Fans Blog.

Shake It Up Episode Filming

You heard about it here first! Disney Channel’s next live action series (and the replacement for Hannah Montana) began filming in LA last month, and Webmaster Greg has the inside scoop from the filming of the second episode.

In the pilot we are introduced to best friends CeCe Jones (Bella Thorne) and Rocky Blue (Zendaya Coleman). … At school, we meet Deuce (Adam Irigoyen) … [who] also had an important gift for the girls, a flier with the info to audition for a dance show called “Shake it Up Chicago.” Rocky is reluctant, but CeCe insists that they give it a try – it is their dream to be professional dancers after all. … Anyway, CeCe and Rocky audition for the show and through no fault of her own CeCe is eliminated. Rocky makes it, but doesn’t want to go without her BFF. CeCe insists that Rocky follow through with her dream and marches her to the studio – with Rocky still in her pajamas. This next segment was very Hannah Montana-esque as CeCe helped Rocky change into her dance clothes during the live show. Fortunately, the host thought more of it than [Greg] did, because instead of firing Rocky, he asked both girls to stay on the show. And that is how these two best friends ended up on TV.

This show plays upon familiar themes and is no way groundbreaking, but it’s a solid effort and is likely to become a a big hit. The star of the show, Bella Thorne, is clearly very talented and as the first of the next generation of DC stars is likely to become the next Miley – and we mean that in a good way!

Read more about the show at the DC Fans Blog.

Good Luck Charlie has gotten some pretty good ratings, so it’s no surprise that Disney has picked up the show for another season. However, I was a little surprised that they’ve already ordered a movie!

Official Disney press release follows:

DISNEY CHANNEL’S NEWEST HIT, “GOOD LUCK CHARLIE,”
IS PICKED-UP FOR SECOND SEASON,
PLUS A DISNEY CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE

– Geoff Rodkey Recruited to Write Movie Script –

Disney Channel has ordered up a second season of its newest out-of-the gate hit, “Good Luck Charlie” — just three months after its premiere. Development has also begun on a holiday-themed “Good Luck Charlie” Disney Channel Original Movie. The movie, being written by Geoff Rodkey (“R.V.,” “Daddy Day Care”), will star the talented series cast, Bridgit Mendler, Jason Dolley, Bradley Steven Perry, Mia Talerico, Leigh-Allyn Baker and Eric Allan Kramer. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.

The comedy series is executive-produced by television veterans Dan Staley (“Cheers,” “Love & Money”), Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen (“Suddenly Susan” and “What I Like About You”). Baker and Vaupen are also the series creators.

In 2Q10, “Good Luck Charlie” ranked as the No. 1 series on television among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14, posting double-digit gains year to year among both demographics and defeating its time period competition by triple digits (Source: Nielsen Media Research, Most Current U.S. national ratings, 2Q10: 3/2910-6/27/10; premiere to date=4/4/10-6/27/10. Ranks based on 000s, then rating, unless otherwise noted. Series ranks based on trackage level data with minimum 3 telecasts).

In the series, the Duncans’ lives are turned topsy turvy with the arrival of a new baby sister, Charlotte (AKA Charlie). When parents Bob and Amy return to work, they enlist the help of their two teenagers, Teddy and PJ, and 10-year-old son Gabe to care for Charlie. Now the older siblings have to pitch in and get familiar with all things baby while navigating typical teen lives. Each episode features Teddy’s video diary, one she’s creating for Charlie to use for advice after Teddy has grown up and moved out.

“Good Luck Charlie” is seen Sundays at 8:30 p.m., ET/PT. It is seen on Disney Channels around the world, with full episodes available on DisneyChannel.com, Disney Channel on Demand, mobile providers including Sprint TV, MobiTV, AT&T CV and Verizon V Cast, iTunes, Netflix and onboard airlines.

“Good Luck Charlie” is a production of It’s a Laugh Productions, Inc. It carries a TV-G parental guideline.

Save Disney Shows July 2010 Events

Save 10 Things Day – 07/10/10

Save Kim Possible Day – 07/14/10

Save Jake Long Day – 07/21/10

Save Lilo & Stitch Weekend Bash – 07/23-26/10

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

Rita Ferro Promoted to EVP Media Sales

From the official Disney Press Release…

Rita Ferro, an executive with a strong track record in advertising sales and promotions, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Disney Media Sales and Marketing, effective June 28. Ms. Ferro will relocate to New York from Miami, where she’s been an integral part of Disney and ESPN’s Latin America business since 1997. She succeeds Tricia Wilber who was recently named Chief Marketing Officer, The Walt Disney Company, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Read more at the SDS Blog.

SDS Fundraising Drive Continues

We want to take a moment to thank Brent for his generous donation. Unfortunately, we where forced to drop two domains due to lack of funds, and may be forced to drop more. If you can help, even with a small donation, it would go a long ways towards keeping the remainder of our domain names and ultimately keeping the site online. Click here for more information or to make a donation. Thank you.

Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure

Ashley Tisdale reprised her role as Sharpay Evans in a new DCOM filming now for a 2011 release. Joining her are Austin Butler (Aliens in the Attic, Ruby & the Rockits) and Bradley Steven Perry (Good Luck Charlie).

In the movie, a New York casting director spots aspiring thespian Sharpay Evans performing with her dog, Boi, at a charity gala and offers to arrange an audition for a new Broadway musical. Sharpay packs her bags with Boi in tow and heads to the Big Apple to fulfill her destiny on Broadway. Her father has given her one month to make it to center stage, or else she will have to return home and learn the family business. However Sharpay’s dreams are turned upside down when she discovers the Broadway role is really for Boi, not her. Pushing her disappointment aside, Sharpay sets out to make Boi the most fabulous canine to hit the Great White Way.

Read more on the DC Fans Blog.

Disney Channel Screencaps are Back!

Okay, not all of the caps that we used to have, but we’ve made a lot of progress restoring the galleries. So far we’ve restored Hannah Montana, Sonny with a Chance, Wizards of Waverly Place, and The Suite Life on Deck.

Anyway, we’re still missing some of the newer episodes, but everything that we had in the old gallery for these three shows is back up and we will continue adding more.

See all the caps on the DC Fans Photo Gallery.

Disney Channel July Highlights

Air dates for the first three Hannah Season Four episodes, plus new episodes of Wizards, Sonny, On Deck, Charlie, and JONAS LA are all coming in July! The full list is too long for this email alert, so be sure to click the link below to read the full article.

Read more at the DC Fans Blog.

Demi Lovato Concert Videos

We always like to close out the newsletter with something fun, and this month is no different. Webmaster Greg was able to attend Demi Lovato’s free concert last week in San Diego and was nice enough to film the show for our members! Just click the link below to see all of the videos and the story behind the show at DC Fans.

Read more at the DC Fans Blog.

This concludes this email news alert. Thanks for reading from all of us at Save Disney Shows.

OMG, YES!!

It is official! Disney has announced the renewal of WOWP for a fourth season, AND they’re making a SECOND DCOM!

Of course, this second movie will almost certainly be the end of the series, but I don’t think season five was gonna happen one way or another.

Official Disney press release follows:

THE MAGIC CONTINUES AS DISNEY CHANNEL ORDERS FOURTH SEASON

OF EMMY AWARD-WINNING SERIES “WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE”

Development Also Begins on Sequel to “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie,”

Cable TV’s #2 Scripted Telecast of All Time

Disney Channel has ordered a fourth season of its Emmy Award-winning sitcom “Wizards of Waverly Place,” and is in development on the sequel to “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie,” cable TV’s second-highest rated scripted telecast of all time in Total Viewers (13.5 million), Kids 6-11 and Tweens. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. Production on the fourth season is scheduled to begin in August with show runners Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio (“Married…with Children,” “Greetings from Tucson”) executive-producing. Todd J. Greenwald (“Hannah Montana,” “Saved By the Bell: The New Class”) is the series creator and also an executive producer.

The script for the Disney Channel Original Movie sequel will be written by Dan Berendsen (Disney’s “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie” and the upcoming “Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam”).

In making the announcement, Marsh said, “The Emmy win this past year confirmed what we already believed — this is a cast of superstar comedic talent, backed by an inspired team of writers and producers.”

The series stars Selena Gomez (whose debut album, “Kiss & Tell,” from Hollywood Records, debuted in the Billboard Top 10 and has since become gold-certified), David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise. In Season Four, Disney Channel UK star Gregg Sulkin (“As the Bell Rings” and Disney Channel’s upcoming movie, “Avalon High”) reprises his recurring guest role.

“Wizards of Waverly Place” debuted in 2007 and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program in 2009. A proven fan favorite, the sitcom has been lauded for its portrayal of Latinos and has won Alma, Imagen and NAACP Image Award nominations.

Set in New York’s Greenwich Village neighborhood, the series follows the Russo family — siblings Alex, Max and older brother Justin, each a wizard in training, and competing with each other to determine who among them will get to keep their powers forever. They live with their Italian-American father, Jerry (who was once a wizard), and their Mexican-American mother, Theresa, a mortal (who prefers that magic not be used in the house). Alex’s best friend, Harper Finkle, is the only friend who knows the Russo kids have magical powers.

New episodes of “Wizards of Waverly Place” air FRIDAYS (8:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. A production of It’s a Laugh Productions for Disney Channel, the series carries a TV-G parental guideline.