Jungle Junction Rolls into Playhouse Disney - Saturday, January 16 and
Sunday, January 17 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT

Series for Younger Viewers Emphasizes Appreciation of the Environment and Pre-Literacy Skills

TORONTO , Jan. 7 /CNW/ - Astral Media's Playhouse Disney presents the Canadian premiere of Jungle Junction, a CG-animated series for younger viewers that follows a group of fun-loving animals on wheels as they explore a unique jungle. Jungle Junction premieres Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17 at 9:30 a.m. ET /PT. The first two episodes will be available on Family OnDemand beginning Tuesday, January 12 .

The fast-paced adventure series Jungle Junction emphasizes an appreciation of the environment while highlighting pre-literacy skills through the use of road signs and symbols. Part animal, part vehicle, the inhabitants of Jungle Junction, also known as "Wheelers," include Zooter, an energetic pink pig scooter who is the town messenger, her best friend Ellyvan, a cross between an elephant and a van who serves as the jungle delivery service, and the Beetlebugs, the playful kids of the jungle who are always eager to learn.

Each episode of Jungle Junction follows one of the key characters as they overcome a problem by working with their friends. Much care and consideration is needed to ensure the survival of the jungle, which is a core theme of the show. Jungle Junction is designed to encourage preschoolers to think about their impact on the natural world. Storylines promote positive environmental messages with characters that have an understanding of the fragile nature of their surroundings.

Leading up to the premiere episodes of Jungle Junction, Playhouse Disney premieres the 40-minute specials Handy Manny Motorcycle Adventure on Saturday, January 16 at 8:30 a.m. ET /PT and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Choo Choo Express on Sunday, January 17 at 8:30 a.m.ET /PT.

Beginning Monday, January 18 the series can be found in its regular timeslot of Monday to Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET /PT and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET /PT on Playhouse Disney and Saturdays at 6:10 a.m. ET /PT on Family Channel beginning Saturday, January 23 .

Playhouse Disney is a commercial-free, multiplex channel offered to Family Channel subscribers across Canada . Committed to offering engaging, educational and development-based programming for younger children, the channel offers exclusive, first-run programs from Disney together with celebrated Canadian series to create an environment for fun and learning. Visit us at www.playhousedisney.ca.

Playhouse Disney is an Astral Television Network. Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and interactive media. Astral Media's solid and dynamic presence in the country's major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences. For more information about Astral Media, please visit www.astralmedia.com.

For further information: Media contact: Geneviève Parent at [phone] or [email protected]; For access to Playhouse Disney's media room, please visit http://tv.astral.com