New Series, New Seasons and New Specials Come to Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD this Fall

TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Astral's Kids' channels deliver something for everyone as new series, new seasons and new specials join Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD's fall line-ups. Family gets social with a new series from Disney, Dog With A Blog, along with new episodes from hit Disney and Canadian series. Younger viewers can travel the world with the premiere of the Canadian original series Justin Time or step into the enchanted world of young princess Sofia with Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess, both on Disney Junior. On Disney XD, fall brings an unpredictable puppet, among other new characters, with the series debut of Crash & Bernstein.

Complete series descriptions, premiere dates, high-resolution images and contact information for programming on Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD are available at http://press.astral.com.

"This year's fall line-up offers something for kids of all ages with new series and new seasons from Disney joining forces with new and returning Canadian original series to bring a unique and highly entertaining program line-up to Family, Disney Junior and Disney XD," said Kevin Wright, Senior Vice President, Programming, Astral Kids. "New series such as Sofia the First, Justin Time and Crash & Bernstein will build on the robust programming schedule we have across our Kids' services and promise to attract new viewers with a focus on strong storytelling and compelling characters that are endearing and, in many cases, laugh-out-loud funny."

Family Channel
Family premieres the Disney Channel Original Movie Girl vs. Monster on Friday, October 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, just in time for Halloween. Olivia Holt (Disney XD's Kickin' It) stars as Skylar Lewis, a savvy teenager who discovers her family's closely-guarded secret - she's a fifth-generation monster hunter. Skylar and her friends will have to overcome their biggest fears and face off against one immortal monster - Deimata - who wants to expose this well-hidden secret.

New step-siblings Tyler and Avery are polar opposites but find themselves bonding over their efforts to keep the family's big secret - their dog Stan talks and writes a blog. Stan's canine point of view helps the pair navigate their new sibling situation in the new live-action comedy from Disney Channel, Dog With A Blog. Starring G Hannelius (Den Brother), viewers can catch a sneak peek of the series immediately following Girl vs. Monster on October 12.

Returning to Family for sophomore seasons are the hit series Austin & Ally and Jessie. Dynamic duo Austin and Ally croon their way to the top of the music world beginning Friday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT. Meanwhile, Jessie continues her nanny duties for the Ross family when new episodes debut Fridays at 7 p.m. ET/PT from October 19.

The second season of the Canadian original series Really Me premieres on Friday, October 5 at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Season two finds Maddy and her best friend Julia immersed in more mishaps, drama and embarrassing moments as they continue to negotiate the awesome benefits along with the trials and tribulations of being stars on their own reality TV series.

Disney Junior
Premiering this fall on Disney Junior is the Canadian original animated series, Justin Time. Justin and his pals, Olive and Squidgy, star in the biggest adventures of all time told from every corner of the world. Viewers can catch a sneak peek on Saturday, September 8 at 9:50 a.m. ET before Justin Time moves to its regular timeslot weekend mornings at 8:30 a.m. ET from September 16.

On Friday, September 21 at 5:10 p.m. ET, Peter Pan makes his way back to Never Land to help Jake, Izzy, Cubby and Skully win back their trusty ship, Bucky, after it falls into the hands of Captain Hook in a special extended episode of Jake and the Never Land Pirates titled "Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Jakes Saves Bucky."

Premiering on Disney Junior this fall is Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess, a 45-minute animated television movie set in the storybook world of Sofia, a little girl with a commoner's background until her mom marries the King and she becomes royalty. Sofia soon learns that looking like a princess isn't all that difficult, but possessing the characteristics of a true princess - honesty, loyalty, courage, independence, compassion and grace - is what makes you truly royal. Helping her in her journey are three familiar fairies - Fauna, Flora and Merryweather of Disney's classic Sleeping Beauty - who are the headmistresses of Royal Prep Academy, a school that Sofia attends with all of the other princes and princesses. A Sofia the First television series will debut in early 2013.

Season four of Disney Junior's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse kicks off this fall with the premiere of a half-hour special "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey and Donald Have a Farm." Mickey and his pals must find and rescue the animals on the new Clubhouse Farm after Pete's giant windmill sends them flying to different places.

Disney XD
Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja follows the fast-paced adventures of unlikely hero Randy Cunningham who, armed with his super human ninja suit, the teachings of the "NinjaNomicon" and the help of his best buddy Howard, finds himself protecting his school and the world from certain destruction. The series premieres Saturday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

In order to defeat the forces of evil and beat Dr. Blakk, Eli Shane is determined to be the greatest slugblaster hero of all time in the new Disney XD original series Slugterra, set to bow on Saturday, September 8 at 2 p.m. ET. This epic sci-fi animated comedy is set deep underground, where every cavern holds a new adventure and new villainous slugs to discover.

Coming to Disney XD with a sneak peek in October is the live-action comedy Crash & Bernstein which follows 12-year-old Wyatt Bernstein, the only son among four kids, who finally gets his dream of having a loud-mouthed brother when his puppet, Crash, comes to life.

All of the programs debuting as part of Family, Disney Junior and Disney XD's fall schedule will be available for viewing on the channels' respective OnDemand services following the on-air premieres. Additionally, viewers can visit Family.ca, DisneyJunior.ca and DisneyXD.ca for more information on new series, new specials and new games throughout the fall.

Family Channel is a premium, commercial-free network offering the best in family television entertainment in over 6 million homes across Canada. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a fun experience for all, Family airs a unique mix of series, movies and specials, with a large portion of programming supplied by Disney. Family Channel also offers Family OnDemand, a television-based Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service and Family OnLine, an Internet-based, broadband service. Both of these services offer hit Disney movies and series, top-rated Canadian series to subscribers when they want it, where they want it. Visit us at Family.ca.

Disney Junior is a commercial-free channel available in English and French to subscribers across Canada. Committed to offering the best in engaging and development-based programming for younger children, Disney Junior showcases series with a focus on magical, musical and heartfelt stories that feature beloved classic and contemporary characters. Presenting exclusive, first-run programs from Disney together with celebrated Canadian series, Disney Junior is also available through Disney Junior OnDemand and Disney Junior OnLine.

Disney XD is an advertising-supported digital specialty network and multiplatform brand offering a compelling mix of high definition live-action and animated programming to homes across Canada. Disney XD features series, movies and short form content that focus on comedy, discovery, accomplishment and adventure. Disney XD programming is also available through dedicated on demand and broadband services. Visit us at DisneyXD.ca.

Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD are members of the Astral family. Astral Media Inc. (TSX : ACM.A/ACM.B) is one of Canada's largest media companies. It operates several of the country's most popular pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and interactive media properties. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and advertisers. To learn more about Astral, visit astral.com.

SOURCE: FAMILY CHANNEL

Ginger Bertrand at 416-956-8547 or [email protected]