Disney XD EMEA Preps Action Sports Reality Series

LONDON: The Walt Disney Company EMEA has lined up a new European local production, Next X, an action sports reality series, for launch on Disney XD across the region in April.

Disney XD in the U.S. already aired a series of its own Next X interstitials, which reached a total of 24.7 million viewers, 4.3 million of these being boys 6-11. The seven-part European show, comprised of interstitials and a 30-minute special, will air on Disney XD across EMEA, chronicling the journeys of six kids from across Europe with extreme skiing and snowboarding skills in their quest to become Disney’s Next X superstar. Kids were selected from six competing regions: U.K., France, Poland, Italy, Scandinavia and Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The kids will travel to Tignes in France, the location for the Winter X Games Europe, where they will receive intensive training from mentors as they are pushed to their athletic limits. 

Nicoletta Gelli, the VP brand marketing for Disney EMEA, said, “Next X is the perfect fit for XD’s core values and as our first international production across EMEA, it will enhance the overall XD brand proposition. This is the first time ESPN’s X Games have come to Europe—as ESPN is also a part of The Walt Disney Company we had a unique opportunity to connect these brands with their shared audiences."

Jonathan Boseley, the VP of programming and production for Disney Channels U.K. and Ireland, added: “We’re thrilled to announce Next X as our biggest production to date for Disney XD. It is our vision for Disney XD to be the leading boy-focused entertainment platform in the U.K. and Next X is a hugely exciting proposition for this audience. The show is action packed and integral to boys, but it still appeals to girls and families alike. We hope it inspires and excites viewers into challenging themselves, discovering their strengths and having fun.”