Category — Disney Channel

I sat down to watch my DVR’d version of Disney Channel’s “Princess Protection Program” with my 6 year old son tonight with low expectations of it keeping our attention. But I need not have worried. PPP is a great movie in the classic Disney mold that we both enjoyed watching all the way through. In the 60s or 70s PPP would have been released to theaters, albeit with slightly better actors in the villain role, it is that good.

Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, the two actors who are asked to carry this film, have both been labeled as Disney’s hope for the future when Miley Cyrus finally moves on to her next thing. Gomez had the more meaty roll and really carried the film, a good sign for future work from her. Lovato definitely had the poise required to be a princess, but lacks the acting chops of Anne Hathaway in the Princess Diaries, but the fact that she compares at all says something.

Once you get past the films main conceit, the existence of, and need for, a Princess Protection Agency, the plot flows naturally from there. The adventure comedy is about two very different girls – a princess from a small kingdom and a small town girl who, when fate brings them together, must team up to help the would-be queen pass for a regular teen. Lots of great lessons are included in the film, but they mostly avoid hitting you over the head with them. Always a bonus.

As is Disney’s habit these days, they’ve already released a DVD with extra features you don’t get on The Disney Channel just 4 days after the movie’s cable debut.

The full press release is below the cut:

Update: I had the actors reversed as to which was the princess Rosie. That’s what I get for writing so late at night. It’s fixed now

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Do you want to know who at the Walt Disney Company is making the decisions that entertain your kids across all the Disney Channel platforms? 47-year old Rich Ross is the man. He’s successfully transformed The Disney Channel into a tween girl magnet and is working on changing Disney XD into the same thing for tween boys. Even if you miss the Disney Channel programming of old, you have to admire his ability to attract eyeballs to the Mouse House’s TV shows.

For more on where Ross is coming from and where he’s taking Disney, read this LA Times profile.

Beginning tomorrow the Walt Disney Company will launch “Disney’s Friends fro Change: Planet Green” a new multiplatform environmental initiative across the Disney Channel, Disney XD, Radio Disney and Disney.com featuring a star-studded lineup of Disney’s young talent pledging environmental stewardship and encouraging other kids to do the same. Along the way kids’ votes will determine how Disney will divide $1 million in donations to green causes.

Disney stars Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, the Jonas Brothers, and Demi Lovato are among the 29 young stars participating in outreach messages as part of the Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green initiative. Young people will join together to help the environment across four key areas: climate, water, waste and habitats. Kids will learn practical ways to preserve the planet, track their collective impact and have the opportunity to vote on how $1 million in donations from Disney will be divided and invested in various environmental causes over the course of a year.

If 500,000 kids participate in Disney Friends for Change: Project Green events, together they can:

• Prevent approximately 100,000 tons of CO2 per year from polluting the air by adjusting their home thermostats.
• Save 5 million gallons of water in a single day by reducing shower times.
• Prevent 1 million pounds of waste from entering landfills by bringing trash-free lunches for a week.
• Create new habitats for local animals by planting 500,000 trees.

“With Disney’s Friends for Change, we’re empowering kids to tap into the potential that lies within each and every one of them to make a difference,” said Bob Iger, president, The Walt Disney Company. “Building on our recently announced environmental goals, this program highlights what is possible as we leverage Disney’s reach to educate and inspire environmental stewardship in others.”

Starting tomorrow visit Disney.com and look for this logo to join Disney’s Friends for Change:

Disney Channel wants to make sure you keep your head in the game when it comes to the High School Musical franchise. They’re rolling out a fourth movie in the series. It will begin production later this year and premiere in 2010.

A Disney Channel release stated that the new musical will feature a new cast of characters and focus on a cross-town school rivalry. I’m sure there will be the requisite angst, choreography, and catchy songs as well.

Looks like the series is returning to the cable channel as well. Number three had its premiere in movie theaters.

Disney XD, the Walt Disney Company’s new cable channel aimed at boys, got off to a good start on its Friday premier. “Aaron Stone” anchored the opening night performance. According to TV Week the numbers look good for Disney XD. But the jury is out to see if Disney can do for young boys what Hannah Montana has done for young girls.

Disney XD, launched today, February 13, is a revised version of ToonDisney, one of Disney’s family of cable channels. But Disney XD is really a multi-platform brand that will showcase live-action and animated programming for kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor.

Disney XD branded content will span television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is expected to reach over 72 million households via its basic cable affiliates.

In today’s world, the difference tween digesting media online and on a Television is rapidly shrinking. So it was no surprise that Disney Online has also introduced DisneyXD.com, the online and mobile Web destination for the new Disney entertainment brand designed to appeal to kids and tween boys to tag team with the cable channel. DisneyXD.com will feature an abundance of action-based games, full-length video and customizable community features populate the site focused heavily on themes of adventure, accomplishment, gaming, music and sports.

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Without a doubt these next few days will be historic ones for America. ABC News will have its usual extended coverage of the Presidential Inaugural ceremonies, but Disney Channel is also getting in on the act with the “Kids’ Inaugural: We Are The Future” concert. It will be broadcast from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET/PT January 19th on The Disney Channel, be simulcast on Radio Disney, and streamed on Disney.com immediately following the telecast.

The actual swearing in ceremony for Barack Obama is on around Noon on Tuesday the 20th. Set your DVRs if you’re at work, I guess.

Someone has done a brilliant trailer mashup of High School Musical and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Zac Efron as a dog is too funny.

(Via The Inquisitor)