Disney Channel launches Second Season of 'Handy Manny'

Media News

Mumbai, January 15, 2009

Disney Channel India launches the second season of its acclaimed series for preschoolers - ‘Handy Manny’ on its learning focused Playhouse Disney (PHD) programming block. The second series will play out on January 19, 2009 at 8:30 AM. Handy Manny is amongst the Top 10 series for preschoolers worldwide televised in 108 countries, in 17 languages.  The series has a strong affinity among parents due to its strong storytelling format based on a problem solving curriculum, set in a multi-generational community.

Antoine Villeneuve, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Walt Disney Television International (India) said, “Playhouse Disney Block is based on the concept of ‘Imagine and Learn’ developed in consultation with early child development experts, offering a scientific basis to pre-school programming. The Handy Manny series and other PHD shows engage preschoolers with strong characters, fun, dance and music while imparting life skills and help parents grow well rounded kids.”

Handy Manny has been a global success for Disney Channel. The series was honored with an Environmental Media Award for Best Children's Live Action/Animated Television Program at the 18th Annual Environmental Media Awards in Los Angeles in November 2008. This series is the story of Manny Garcia, a helpful, determined young man who, with the assistance of his eclectic set of talking tools, is the town's repair expert. He is the young man for every job - the eternal optimist in a world that certainly needs repair. He is always respectful of others and quick to offer a ‘please’ or a ‘thank you’. Although his tools are always gung-ho to help, they are also a noisy, fussy, bickering bunch. Through it all, Manny and the preschool age viewing audience gain a greater understanding of how to navigate through life's minor turmoil, solve whatever problems come their way and reach goals.

Playhouse Disney is a daily programming destination on Disney Channel, encouraging preschoolers to ‘Imagine and Learn’ through original series, short-form and acquired programming that includes song, movement and entertainment.  Guided by an established curriculum, Playhouse Disney supports multiple areas of child development:  physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills as well as moral and ethical development through carefully constructed themes, storylines and endearing characters.

For further information, please contact:

Walt Disney Television India

Pooja Nikam

E-mail: Pooja.Nikam@disney.com

Mobile: 9820240549