Disney Channel
A Lionel Messi-inspired animated series will soon premiere on Disney Channel after Disney Branded Television acquired Messi and the Giants from Sony Music Vision and Sony Pictures Television – Kids, Billboard has learned.
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The sci-fi animated show follows a 12-year-old boy named Leo, who is transported from his home in Argentina into an alternate universe. The series will demonstrate how the character faces adversity, builds a team, and discovers how to become a hero.
“I always dreamed of being involved in a project that would share the values of sports, the very same values that have been so important to my career, with younger generations,” Messi expressed in a press release. “Nothing truly is impossible with teamwork, perseverance, discipline, and hard work. I look forward to sharing this series with kids around the world, and I hope I will inspire them and motivate them to achieve their own dreams. Ever since I was a kid, I always loved animated series, and I look forward to watching this series with my own kids.”
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Each episode of Messi and the Giants is 22-minutes long and will premiere on Disney Channel, followed by Disney Channel On Demand and globally on DIsney+, and will be available in English, Spanish and other languages.
Messi and the Giants
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“Football — or soccer as we call it in the United States — is the world’s most beloved sport, uniting and captivating millions of fans of all ages,” noted Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. “We are proud to work with Lionel Messi and Sony Pictures Television to bring ‘Messi and the Giants’ to our passionate, global kids’ audience. We know that its themes of family, friendship, and teamwork will resonate with not only football enthusiasts but everyone everywhere who loves a great story.”
“It’s been a privilege to team with Leo and our colleagues at Sony Music on this first-time collaboration,” Joe D’Ambrosia, EVP and general manager, Sony Pictures Television – Kids added. “We’re thrilled that Disney is giving a global platform to this fun take on a classic tale and look forward to launching a global consumer products and branded partnerships program alongside the show’s debut.”
“There is an incredible team all working together on this project, with Leo’s magic as the inspiration behind it all,” said Afo Verde, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Latin Iberia. “We are thrilled that Disney has now joined our roster to help bring this imaginative series to audiences and inspire fans all around the world.”
To date, Messi is the only athlete in the world to win eight Ballon d’Or Awards and six Golden Boots. In July, he joined the MLS team Inter Miami.
Guy Toubes will serve as executive producer, and Atlantis Animation, and director Dan Creteur will serve as the show’s animation studio. The series was developed by Toubes and Creteur under the creative direction of Sony Music Vision and SPT – Kids, in partnership with Messi.
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Calling all Descendants fans! Disney‘s Descendants: The Rise of Red, is the fourth movie of this franchise which releases today, Friday (July 12) on Disney+. It is also set to air on Disney Channel on Aug. 9 at 8 p.m ET.
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In this iteration of the story, Uma (played by China Anne McClain), once a villain kid is now the headmaster of Auradon Prep. She invites Red (played by Kylie Cantrall), who is the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts (played by Rita Ora) to the school. When Red’s mom starts a rebellion against Auradon, Red teams up with Chloe (played by Malia Baker), Cinderella’s daughter. The story unravels as they go back in to stop past events that turned Red’s mom into a villain.
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Descendants: The Rise of Red is directed by Jennifer Phang also known for her work in films like Advantageous (2015) and Half-Life (2008).
The films cast includes Brandy, Rita Ora, Kylie Cantrall, Maria Baker, China Anne McClain, Jeremy Drift, Dara Reneé, Ruby Rose Turner, Morgan Dudley, Paolo Montalban, Melanie Paxson, and Leonardo Nam.
Keep scrolling for ways to join Disney+ and stream Descendants: The Rise of Red.
How to Stream Descendants: The Rise of Red on Disney+
You can now stream Descendants: The Rise of Red on Disney+ and rewatch the Descendants 1, 2, and 3 to refresh your memory. If you’re not a Disney+ subscriber, here’s a short rundown of how much it costs, and how to land a free subscription.
Disney+ plans start at $7.99/month for the Basic subscription and $11.99/month for Disney+ Premium (ad-free streaming).
Looking for a Disney+ deal? You have a few options, the easiest being a bundle plan, which saves you up to 37% off. Subscribe to the Disney+ Basic Duo plan with Hulu for $9.99/month, or the Trio plan with Hulu and ESPN+ for $14.99/month.
Disney+ offers a huge collection of exclusive TV series, movies, documentaries, concert specials and sports. Go get your subscription now and get ready for a movie night with family and friends.
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Descendants: The Rise of Red will also be airing on Aug. 9 at 8p.m ET on Disney Channel.
For those looking for another streaming service alternative, you might want to add Sling TV. With Sling Orange, you can stream Disney Channel and other channels for $20 for your first month (regularly $40/month). It includes 34 channels with seven exclusive sports and family channels.
Hulu is another affordable alternative to stream Descendants: The Rise of Red without cable, as it offers a library full of Disney’s most popular programs. If you already have a Hulu subscription, you can watch Bluey for no additional cost — just log in to your account to get access.
If you are in search of another great streaming platform, consider getting DirecTV. DirecTV Stream offers a handful streaming plans, the most affordable is the Entertainment package ($79.99/month) featuring over 90 channels including Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, Nickelodeon, TLC, Hallmark Channel, Paramount Network, ABC, and many more.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Calling all Bluey fans! Disney Branded Television dropped the trailer for the new Bluey Minisodes, unveiling the release of the first seven episodes. The upcoming Bluey Minisodes will debut on Disney+ at midnight PT on Wednesday, July 3, followed by airing on Disney Jr. and Disney Channel throughout the week.
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The beloved Disney Channel series follows the adventures of a lovable Blue Heeler pup named Bluey, her younger sister Bingo, and their family. Each episode captures the imaginative world of childhood through playful games, heartfelt moments, and life lessons. With its endearing characters, this Australian animated series is a celebration of family bonds, life learnings, and growing up.
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The short series Bluey Minisodes is written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio. This new series will focus on the humorous and heartwarming moments between Bluey and Bingo, giving audiences a deeper insight into the siblings’ world.
If your kids are fans of Bluey, you can celebrate the new minisodes with merch and toys from Walmart, Target, Amazon, Delta Children and Macy’s.
Keep reading to learn the streaming options available to watch the new Bluey Minisodes online.
How to Watch Bluey Minisodes Online
You will be able to stream the new Bluey Minisodes on Wednesday (July 3) on Disney+. Meanwhile, if you already have a Disney+ subscription, you can catch up and watch all Bluey episodes for free when you log in to your account.
Looking for a Disney+ deal? You have a few options, the easiest being a bundle plan, which saves you up to 37% off. Subscribe to the Disney+ Basic Duo plan with Hulu for $9.99/month, or the Trio plan with Hulu and ESPN+ for $14.99/month.
Disney+ offers a huge collection of exclusive TV series, movies, documentaries, concert specials and sports. Go get your subscription now and get ready for a movie night with family and friends.
How to Watch Disney Channel Without Cable
Upon its release on July 3 on Disney+, Bluey Minisodes will also be rolling out on Disney Jr. and Disney Channel. For those looking for another streaming service alternative, you might want to add Sling TV. With Sling Orange, you can stream Disney Channel and other channels for $20 for your first month (regularly $40/month). It includes 34 channels with seven exclusive sports and family channels.
Hulu is another affordable option to stream Bluey Minisodes without cable, as it offers a library full of Disney’s most popular programs. If you already have a Hulu subscription, you can watch Bluey for no additional cost — just log in to your account to get access.
If you don’t have a Hulu subscription, new users can get a 30-day free trial to watch Bluey and more. When your free trial is over, you’ll be charged the regular subscription fee based on the plan you pick out.
For those looking for another alternative streaming platform, consider getting DirecTV. DirecTV Stream offers a handful streaming plans, the most affordable is the Entertainment package ($79.99/month) featuring over 90 channels including Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, Nickelodeon, TLC, Hallmark Channel, Paramount Network, ABC, and many more.
The Choice + Sports plan is currently on sale for $98.99/month (reg. $123.98) comes with 125+ channels including Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney XD, as well as sports channels like ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, and so much more. You can also get the Ultimate + Sports Pack for $109.99/month (reg. $134. 98). This one includes over 160 channels, including Disney Jr., Disney Channel, Disney XD, and more.
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Kevin Jonas had a tough decision to make on Watch What Happens Live on Sunday night (May 14) during a round of host Andy Cohen’s popular “Plead the Fifth” game with the Jonas Brothers. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Which former Disney star has the better […]
Hayley Kiyoko stopped by Wizards of Waverly Pod on Monday (May 15) to reminisce about her time on the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place, her co-star Selena Gomez and more. Speaking to co-hosts and fellow former Disney Channel actors Jennifer Stone and David DeLuise, the pop singer dubbed Lesbian Jesus recalled how the […]
Disney Channel celebrated 40 years of broadcasting this month, kicking off April with a “Wand ID Compilation,” featuring a montage of some of today’s biggest stars back in their Disney days, taking part in the iconic outlining of Mickey Mouse ears with a wand.
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While celebrities like Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Raven-Symoné, Jenna Ortega, Jonas Brothers, Zendaya and many, many more appeared in the clip, fans noticed someone in particular who was missing. Demi Lovato, who was a staple on the Disney Channel in the late 2000s through TV shows like Sonny With a Chance and the Camp Rock films, was absent from the wand ID compilation.
While Disney Channel hasn’t revealed why Lovato was left out of the 40-year anniversary celebration clip, the “29” singer has been outspoken about some of their difficult experiences growing up in the DC bubble, which they called “Disney High.”
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Lovato began directing their very first feature film, which will stream on Hulu sometime in 2024. Along with Nicola Marsh, the pop star will co-direct Child Star, a Hulu Original documentary film that promises to “deconstruct the highs and lows of growing up in the spotlight through the lens of some of the world’s most famous former child stars,” according to a release.
“There is no better film or topic for my directorial debut than this story, which is close to home,” the Disney Channel alum said in a statement. “Our project sheds light on important messages about growing up in the public eye, learning to protect our boundaries, and becoming active advocates of our own destinies. I’m humbled to be able to learn from the individuals who have lived the unique experience of child stardom and share their stories in our film.”
Billboard has reached out Disney Channel for comment on the wand ID compilation. See below for some fan reactions to the alleged snub.
Demi shade isn’t cute babe…
— Nick Karcher (@itsnickkarcher) April 6, 2023
Y’all left Demi out
— Dave (@DavidMackayy) April 6, 2023
i think you forgot to include your most favorite human… a seperate dedication post maybe because they’re that legendary?? 🥰 pic.twitter.com/2Mm6acEVTO
— ana ♡ (@Ana5HBiebvato) April 7, 2023
you can try to erase demi but you can’t erase historypic.twitter.com/gxar5FYmjA
— ً (@eitherwaydemi) April 5, 2023
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Selena Gomez took a sentimental walk down memory lane on Monday (Feb. 27) as a guest on the Wizards of Waverly Place rewatch podcast.
Invited by her former co-stars Jennifer Stone and David DeLuise, the star called in to Wizards of Waverly Pod from New York City to reminisce about her time on the hit Disney Channel series that propelled her to stardom. “I can’t begin to tell you guys without making it such a little cry session, I felt like I was the happiest I’d been in my whole life,” she said of her years as Alex Russo. “And I don’t want that to be a sad thought because I’m really grateful and happy. But it was definitely the happiest times for me, and I recognize that obviously I have this different attention on me that I just didn’t have then and that was a really pure time.”
And speaking of her stratospheric, post-Disney fame, just last week Gomez earned the distinction of becoming the most-followed woman on Instagram with 382 million followers. But even overtaking Kylie Jenner, who previously held the title, came with its own whirlwind of drama after fans thought the Kylie Cosmetics mogul was subtly shading the “Rare” singer in a post. (For the record, she wasn’t, and both parties promise they’re all good.)
However, between that headache and an online dust-up caused by defending her bestie Taylor Swift over a resurfaced clip of Hailey Bieber, Gomez decided late last week to take a much-needed break from social media altogether. “This is a little silly. And I’m 30, I’m too old for this,” she declared before promising her hundreds of millions of followers she’d be back online “sooner than later.”
Watch Gomez reminisce with her Wizards of Waverly Place pals below.
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur premiered this week, and Diamond White gave Billboard News all the tea on the musical series in a new interview.
“Raphael Saadiq is executive producing all the music,” The X Factor alum and voice of Lunella Lafayette told Billboard‘s Tetris Kelly. “And if he’s in control of it, you know all the songs are gonna be good. You know how back in the day when The Proud Family had Beyoncé and her doing the theme song? It gives me that vibes. It’s that caliber of good.” (Technically, The Proud Family theme was performed by Queen Bey’s younger sister Solange with backup from Destiny’s Child during the show’s original run on Disney Channel from 2001 to 2005.)
Meanwhile, Alfre Woodard, who co-stars in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur as the titular superhero’s grandmother Mimi, promised that the series will feature a diverse soundtrack of “reggae, reggaeton, rap, classical, old-school funk, everything.”
Later, White also shared the message that she wants fans to take away from the latest addition to the Marvel world: “That one girl can make a difference. ‘You can’t be what you can’t see,’ as Laurence Fishburne said, so it’s nice that there’s a character showing a Black girl with a big brain.”
Also starring the voice talents of Fishburne, Fred Tatasciore, Sasheer Zamata, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Michael Cimino, Indya Moore, Craig Robinson and more, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is currently airing weekly episodes on Disney Channel and Disney+.
Watch Billboard‘s interview with Diamond White above.
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