April 19, 1983 – The Series Disney Studio Showcase Premieres on Disney Channel
On April 19, 1983, the television series Disney Studio Showcase premiered on Disney Channel as one of the first programs of the new channel. The series took viewers behind the scenes at the Walt Disney Studios, including a variety of upcoming Disney projects and ideas, such as the Tim Burton-directed short film Hansel and Gretel. The series ended its run on April 25, 1985.
March 20, 2007 – The Special Edition of the Hannah Montana Soundtrack is Released Through Walt Disney Records
“Nobody’s perfect! I gotta work it! Again and again till I get it right!”
On March 20, 2007, the special 2-disc edition of the soundtrack for the Disney Channel Original Series Hannah Montana was released through Walt Disney Records. The series had proved to be a runaway hit for the channel, and the original soundtrack was released on October 24, 2006. The special edition featured two new songs: “Nobody’s Perfect” (which was also released on the follow-up soundtrack), and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” both of which were performed by Miley Cyrus, who portrays the titular character. The second disc was a bonus DVD that featured a live performance of “Nobody’s Perfect,” as well as a short documentary called “Backstage Secrets.”
January 7, 2001 – The Disney Channel Original Series Totally Hoops Premieres
“Totally Hoops is really a mosaic about teenage life told through the eyes of these fiercely determined, uniquely talented girls.” – Gary Marsh, Executive Vice President of Original Programming for Disney Channel
On January 7, 2001, the Disney Channel Original Series Totally Hoops premiered. It was a reality program that focused on the lives of the eleven girls of the Lady Hoopsters basketball team from Dayton, Ohio. The team moved through this series from the tryouts to the state championships, and finally to the national tournament. The only season had 16 episodes.
July 22, 2003 – The Soundtrack to the Animated Series Kim Possible is Released Through Walt Disney Records
“You can’t stop me cause I’m Kim Possible.”
On July 22, 2003, the soundtrack to the Disney Channel original animated series Kim Possible was released through Walt Disney Records. Featuring songs from and inspired by the show, the album was notable for its full length version of the theme song, “Call Me, Beep Me! (The Kim Possible Song)” by Christina Milian, along with songs by show voice actors Christy Carlson Romano, Will Friedle, and Nancy Cartwright. The soundtrack peaked at number 125 on the Billboard 200, and was released in several other countries, including a French version and a German version.
July 11, 2011 – Perry the Platy-Bus Starts Journey with Celebration in New York City
“During ‘Perry the Platy-bus On Tour,’ fans are invited to marvel at nearly 4,000 pounds of Perry (complete with a bill, tail, and googly eyes), come aboard, play the exciting new Unity 3D video game…sing Perry-oke and more.”
On July 11, 2011, a special event was held in New York City to kick off the cross-country tour of Perry the Platy-Bus, a promotional bus designed to look like Phineas and Ferb character Perry the Platypus. Celebrating, and promoting, the upcoming television movie Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension, the bus would make its way from New York to Comic-Con in San Diego. In attendance in New York to wish the bus well on its journey were Phineas and Ferb creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, voice of Perry the Platypus Dee Bradley Baker, and voice of Isabella Alyson Stoner.
June 5, 2011 – The Disney Channel Comedy Series So Random! Premieres
“So Random: it’s a party, get down!”
On June 5, 2011, the Disney Channel comedy series So Random! premiered. The series was originally a show-within-a-show for the Disney Channel Original Series Sonny with a Chance, but became a show on its own when lead actress Demi Lovato announced she would not return for Sonny with a Chance’s third season. The show is reminiscent of old comedy sketch shows in its set up, although it adds the element of the cast members playing their characters from the original Sonny with a Chance show. Musical guests were also featured on the show, with artists ranging from Andy Grammer to Colbie Caillat. The show starred Tiffany Thornton as Tawni Hart, Sterling Knight as Chad Dylan Cooper, Brandon Mychal Smith as Nico Harris, Doug Brochu as Grady Mitchell, and Allisyn Ashley Arm as Zora Lancaster. The show lasted one season with 26 episodes.
March 2, 2007 – Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven Wins at the NAACP Image Awards
“I try to save the situation but then I wind up misbehaving
On March 2, 2007, the 38th Annual NAACP Image Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The Disney Channel Series That’s So Raven won two awards: Outstanding Children’s Program, and Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program – Series or Special for lead actress Raven-Symoné . This was the series first win as Outstanding Children’s Program, and Raven- Symoné’s fourth win in her category. The series would go on to win the same awards the following year in the show’s final season.
May 18, 2004 – The Soundtrack for That’s So Raven is Released Through Walt Disney Records
“It’s the future I can see, it’s so mysterious to me.”
On May 18, 2004, the soundtrack for the Disney Channel Original Series That’s So Raven was released through Walt Disney Records. Featuring songs sung by the cast and a collection of other pop songs, the album peaked at number 44 on the Billboard 200. Artists included lead actress Raven-Symoné, Jesse McCartney, Chaka Khan, and Kool & the Gang. The album would eventually be certified gold by the RIAA.
January 19, 2001 – The Disney Channel Original Series Lizzie McGuire Premieres
“If you believe we’ve got a picture perfect plan, we’ve got you fooled, cause we only do the best we can.”
On January 19, 2001, the Disney Channel Original Series Lizzie McGuire premiered on the Disney Channel. The series followed the adventures of 13-year-old Lizzie McGuire and her friends Gordo and Miranda, while an animated version of Lizzie gives her inner thoughts in the form of a soliloquy. The show was highly popular, with several merchandising deals and a feature film released in 2003. The series ran for two seasons with 65 episodes in total. During the show’s run, it was nominated for several awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program. The show was created by Terri Minsky, and starred Hilary Duff as Lizzie, Lalaine as Miranda, Adam Lamberg as Gordo, Jake Thomas as Matt, Hallie Todd as Jo, and Robert Carradine as Sam.
May 6, 2011 – The Disney Channel Original Series A.N.T. Farm Premieres
“Yeah, because, we’re studying Pygmalion in English class, and it’s easier if we act it out. See, he’s Professor Higgins, and she’s Eliza Doolittle. Eliza, do a little.”
On May 6, 2011, the Disney Channel Original Series A.N.T. Farm premiered. The series centers around a group of child prodigies in a class called the Advanced Natural Talents (A.N.T.). The series had 4.4 million viewers on its premiere, and has received several positive reviews. The series lasted three seasons with 62 episodes. It was created by Dan Signer, and starred China Anne McClain as Chyna Parks, Sierra McCormick as Olive Doyle, Jake Short as Fletcher Quimby, Stefanie Scott as Lexi Reed, Carlon Jeffery as Cameron Parks, and Aedin Mincks as Angus Chestnut.
The first episode, “TransplANTed,” begins at Webster High, where musical prodigy Chyna Parks arrives, though her brother Cameron is less than thrilled that they will attend the same school. She arrives at the A.N.T. room, for those students with Advanced Natural Talents. She meets Gibson, who acts as the tutor and counselor of the A.N.T. Farm, as it is called, where she meets other kids as talented as she is, though in very different ways. She meets classmates Olive and Fletcher, with Fletcher falling for Chyna at first sight. She also meets Lexi, the resident Queen Bee, who delights in torturing Chyna until Chyna reveals her musical talents. Chyna overhears Lexi talking about a party, and decides to crash it with Olivia and Fletcher. Unfortunately, Chyna’s father comes home and spoils their plans to sneak out that night, until Fletcher makes wax doubles of the three. They arrive at the party, and end up having a good time, though Lexi finds every reason to embarrass her, as does Cameron. Unbeknownst to Chyna, her father and Gibson have gone to her room to check on her, finding her wax double melted. At the party, Olive drinks a powerful energy drink and bumps into Fletcher, who in turn destroys the stereo. While everyone thinks the party is ruined, Chyna manages to save the day with her musical talent. Chyna’s father arrives at the party and breaks it up, taking Chyna in the back of his squad car. The next day at school, Olive and Fletcher think Chyna’s father has pulled her out of school, but they are relieved to find her there, especially since the arrival of Chyna’s father gave the A.N.T.s some newfound “street cred.”
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