Disney to Triple Animation Production in EMEA

LONDON: The Walt Disney Company EMEA is tripling its investment in production of animation for television in the region, with plans to increase from two to seven long-form series per year for Disney Channel, Disney XD and Playhouse Disney.

The production increase will be driven by a team of 14, based in London, led by Marc Buhaj, the senior VP of original programming for Disney Channels EMEA. The plans are for two long-form series for Disney Channel, four for Disney XD and one for Playhouse Disney. Buhaj commented: “For The Walt Disney Company, it’s about creating world-class animation that will appeal to kids and families both locally and internationally. Part of our ongoing strategy as a global company is to provide a local voice to the Disney brand in markets around the world.”

Series currently in development for Disney Channel are I’m in Love with Rikki Doom, written and created by Dan Berlinka and Andy Williams at Dandy Productions; Tomax and the Amazing Things, designed and created by Peter Fowler and written by The Trap; and Out of Step, written and created by Morwenna Banks and Carl Goreham. Disney XD projects are Max Helsing: Monster Hunter, created by Curtis Jobling; Joe Giant, created by Alexander Bar; and Inventory X, created by Andy Briggs. The London-based team has also co-produced the European short-form series The Secret Life of Suckers and Marvo the Wonder Chicken and is currently in production on the animated comedy Rekkit Rabbit from Marathon.

Buhaj continued: “These new series need to stand up next to our unrivalled stable of hits like Hannah Montana and Phineas and Ferb, and we believe the wealth of creative talent in the U.K. and Europe will help us achieve that goal. At a time when much of the industry is cutting back its investment in new content, this is fantastic news for the creative community and a testament to the success of Disney’s branded channels with audiences around the world.”