Upfronts 2012: Disney Channels Announce Programming Slate

Renews 'Austin & Ally,' ‘Jessie' for second seasons; greenlights new movie 'Teen Beach Musical'

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/12/2012 2:27:11 PM

Complete Coverage: Upfronts 2012

Disney Channels announced its 2012-13 programming slate on Monday in advance of its upfront event to be held on Tuesday in New York.

The flagship Disney Channel has picked up second seasons of comedy series Austin & Ally and Jessie and also ordered a movie script based on the latter series for the net's original movie franchise. Austin has averaged 2.1 million kids 2-11 on Sundays at 8 p.m. and Jessie has posted 3 million kids 2-11 in 2012 to date, according to Nielsen.

In development at Disney Channel is new animated comedy series Wander Over Yonder, about an intergalactic traveler and his best friend who travel from planet to planet helping people have fun against the evil reign of Lord Hater. The unscripted practical joke show Code 9 helps families, with the help of Hollywood special effects artists, pull off a prank on Mom or Dad.

On the movie side, Disney Channel has greenlit Teen Beach Musical, scheduled to premiere in summer 2013, and the Halloween-themed Girl vs. Monster, about a teen who discovers she's a fifth-generation monster hunter, to premiere during the net's annual month-long Monstober event. Disney also announced the previously announced movie Let It Shine will debut on Friday, June 15 at 8 p.m. and a 90-minute special Shake It Up: Made In Japan will bow in August.

Also on tap for 2012: The second annual "Make Your Mark" talent competition with a special telecast in October, a third season of Good Luck Charlie kicks off with a one-hour special in June, and the "Summer Adventure Weekend" in July with vacation adventure-themed episodes of every series on the channel across three days.

The boys-themed Disney XD network will kick off its Marvel Universe weekly programming block on Sunday, April 1 with the new series Ultimate Spider-Man and second season of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, as well as short-form series exploring Marvel behind the scenes.

The previously announced Motorcity will premiere Monday, April 30 and Tron: Uprising is still on the slate, but without a debut date. New animated comedy Randy Cunningham: 9^th Grade Ninja, about a boy with a magic ninja suit who protects his school and the world with the help of his best friend, will premiere in fall 2012.

The preschool-age Disney Junior, which launches as a 24-hour basic cable network on March 23, has greenlit two specials based on its hit series, Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Bucky's Great Race (for September 2012) and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey and Donald Have a Farm (for fall 2012).

New animated series Sofia the First will premiere with a TV movie in fall 2012 followed by the series debut in winter 2013. In development is The Happy Hugglemonsters, an animated series about the adventures of a five-year-old middle child in a family of monsters and the short-form series Quiet Is..., a collection of tranquil songs and serene visuals to encourage calmness before bedtime.

Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior will hold an upfront event for advertisers and press on Tuesday, March 13 from 6-9 p.m. at the Hard Rock Café in New York