Disney Channel Games are a Battle of the Network Stars-based annual television series that aired on the Disney Channel during the summer from 2006 to 2008.[1][2][3] Phill Lewis was the co-host of the first two editions in 2006 and 2007, and Brian Stepanek hosted all three editions. The show had various stars from Disney Channel and its international iterations competing for charity as team-based contestants. The Games were filmed at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando.[4]

Disney Channel Games
Disney Channel Games logo. 2007–2008
GenreSports
Created byArt Spigel
Developed byWalt Disney Television
Presented by
Opening theme"Let's Go!" (2008)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes24
Production
Executive producersDanny Kallis
Kevin Lima
Production locationsDisney's Wide World of Sports Complex
Orlando, Florida
Camera setupMulti-camera
Original release
NetworkDisney Channel
ReleaseJune 10, 2006 (2006-06-10) –
August 30, 2008 (2008-08-30)

Disney Channel Games were not aired after 2008, but a similar series called Disney's Friends for Change Games aired in 2011.

Series overview edit

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
19June 10, 2006 (2006-06-10)August 19, 2006 (2006-08-19)
210June 15, 2007 (2007-06-15)August 25, 2007 (2007-08-25)
35July 27, 2008 (2008-07-27)August 30, 2008 (2008-08-30)

The Disney Channel Games began as a series of shorts[citation needed] that aired during summer 2006. A second edition followed in summer 2007, with the final edition of the series airing in summer 2008.

A Disney spokesperson confirmed in February 2009 that the Disney Channel Games would not be held that year due to actor availability and Disney's "focusing on the launch of a new pro-social initiative with Disney Channel and Disney XD stars".[5][6] The result was Disney's Friends for Change initiative.[7] The series also did not air in 2010.[8]

Disney's Friends for Change Games edit

 
Disney's Friends for Change Games logo

Disney's Friends for Change Games aired on the Disney Channel as part of Disney's Friends for Change initiative. It replaced the Disney Channel Games. The series was hosted by Jason Earles and Tiffany Thornton,[9] and again featured various Disney Channel stars as team-based contestants competing for their chosen charity. Disney's Friends for Change Games premiered on June 24, 2011, and aired five episodes through July 31, 2011, plus a recap special.

The first event was viewed by between 3.4 million and 4.9 million viewers.[10] The finale special was viewed by 3.6 million viewers, with Kids 6–11 (1.9 million/7.7 rating) and Tweens 9–14 (1.6 million/6.4 rating) making up a sizable portion of the total.[11] The entire series was viewed by over 37 million unique viewers.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ Richard Huff (April 6, 2008). "Disney's kid 'Games': It's a big World after all". New York Daily News.
  2. ^ Jacci Lewis (April 28, 2008). "Disney Channel Games To Begin This Week in Orlando". TV Envy.
  3. ^ "Hannah Montana: The Disney Channel Games Are Underway". Buddy TV. July 29, 2008. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  4. ^ Kristin Ford (June 17, 2009). "Find the Disney Channel stars at WDW". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "POPSTAR! » Disney Channel Games...CANCELLED!". Popstar!. February 4, 2009. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  6. ^ "Farewell, Disney Channel Games". Orlando Sentinel. February 5, 2008.
  7. ^ "The Walt Disney Company Launches Friends for Change". Disney Channel. May 15, 2009. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
  8. ^ "Disney Channel: No Disney Channel Games this year". Orlando Sentinel. February 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011.
  9. ^ Kristin Ford (June 22, 2011). "Jason Earles co-hosts Disney Friends for Change Games, stars in 'Kickin' It'". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  10. ^ Robert Seidman (June 27, 2011). "Friday Cable Ratings: TNT Movie, 'American Restoration' Lead Cable; 'Smackdown' Steady + "A.N.T. Farm," "Phineas and Ferb" & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Robert Seidman (August 3, 2011). "'Disney Friends for Change Games' Scores Across Multiple Platforms". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011.

External links edit