Disney Channel Worldwide Invests in U.K. Original Production

LONDON, November 21: Disney Channel Worldwide’s Global Original Programming
Division has announced deals to develop two new children’s television shows in
the U.K.

Following a
pan-European search for creative talent, Disney Channel Worldwide has signed
agreements with U.K. production companies Coolabi and Blue-Zoo Productions.

The deals are
the first to be announced by Disney Channel’s London-based Global Original
Programming hub, established in April 2007 to drive the investment in and
development of live action and animation outside of North America, for both
European and global distribution.

Disney Channel
has optioned the rights to The Shaila Show (working title) a live-action/animation mix comedy from
Coolabi and Clever Clogs (working title), a new animation from Blue-Zoo Productions.

The Shaila
Show is about a young
girl who solves her problems through an alternate reality where she is the host
of her own anarchic talk show. Shaila’s experiences in her make believe world
help her make sense of the real world. Clever Clogs, aimed at the tween market, follows
the adventures of Milly, a normal girl in a very “un normal” jerry rigged
family.

Steve
Aranguren, the VP of Global Original Programming for Disney Channels Worldwide,
comments: "My job is to seek out the best creative talent in Europe and
I'm delighted to be joining forces with two leading lights of the U.K.'s children's
television industry. Many U.S.-produced shows have been huge hits around the
globe for Disney Channel and we hope to emulate this success with shows made in
the U.K. and Europe.

Aranguren has
expanded his team to support the local production drive. David Freedman has
been appointed senior development manager and Baljeet Rai has been named as
senior manager of production. “I'd also like to welcome David Freedman and
Baljeet Raj, whose experience and expertise will be critical in helping us
achieve this goal,” added Aranguren.

—By Anna Carugati