The Disney Channel has expanded its family friendly wings by launching Disney XD on DStv (Channel 304) today.
Touted as a “boy-focused, but girl-inclusive” channel, it is aimed at kids aged between six and 14 and airs from 5am to 10pm daily. The menu features a melange of live-action and animation and includes hit shows such as Phineas & Ferb, Zeke and Luther, I’m in the Band and Kick Buttowski.
Christine Service, country manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, says the initiative was motivated by the success Disney enjoys in South Africa.
Alletta Alberts, MultiChoice’s general manager of content, says: “We are focused on continuously expanding the DStv viewing experience for our subscribers, both young and old, and not forgetting the young at heart. Disney XD, with its strong action flavour, will no doubt delight and enthral our young viewers.”
Cast as Tripp Campbell (Logan Miller) and Derek Jupiter (Steve Valentine) in the vintage rock band Iron Weasel in I’m in the Band, the actors can’t stop chuckling when talking about the show.
On playing problem-solver Tripp, Miller says: “I’m more of the kind of person who goes: ‘Whatever.’ Tripp is driven as a rock star and he’s the brains behind every situation.”
The actor says life on set is laid-back. “We’re always screwing around and trying to make each other laugh. It’s great as often it’ll will help us come up with funny things we can add to the script.”
Valentine adds: “It’s just a really funny show. The jokes keep coming at you.”
Fascinated with being a magician since he was a child and his mother bought him his first magic set, he says he is glad he gets to explore the best of both worlds with his role.
Fluent in Serbian, Valentine says he did struggle with a really long Spanish phrase for one of the episodes.
With his character known for flying into a rage, Valentine explains: “We all have flaws and delusions, but he’s still a pretty cool guy. In real life, I’m a closet geek and, for this role, I get to pretend to be a rock star.”
Aside from that music-filled comedy, kids are also treated to Kick Buttowski, a 2D animated comedy, and The Avengers.
So while the adults get to indulge in M-Net Action, the kids get their own dose of adventure on Disney XD.
Disney Channel also has another surprise in store for the CBeebies target market next month – watch this space!