Disney Channel has announced the debut of the third season of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 9:00 AM (Eastern/Pacific), bringing the total episode count of the pre-school series to 100. This season will introduce the "Mickey Mousekersize" fitness-themed spin-off series and include 3 new prime-time specials.
The full press release follows:
DISNEY CHANNEL TO DEBUT THIRD SEASON OF
"MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE,"#1 PLAYHOUSE DISNEY SERIES,
PLUS ITS SPIN-OFF, FITNESS THEMED SHORT FORM SERIES
-- Three New Primetime Specials Slated--
-- Global Hit TV Series for Preschoolers Hits 100 Episode Mark --
Disney Chanel will debut the third season of its #1 Playhouse Disney series "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 (9:00 a.m., ET/PT). The third season, which brings the series to 100 episodes, will also include the new physical fitness-themed short-form series, "Mickey Mousekersize" and three new primetime specials.
Supporting Disney's ongoing commitment to helping kids and parents achieve healthier lifestyles by engaging preschoolers in fun physical activity, the 10 new three-minute "Mickey Mousekersize" shorts, hosted by Mickey Mouse, focus on the fun of exercising and encourage kids at home to get up and move along with Mickey and pals. The short form series will debut this fall.
In addition to 31 new music-filled episodes, three brand new primetime specials will be presented. Last October, the series' first-ever primetime special, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Choo Choo Express," ranked as TV's #1 program in its timeslot among its targeted Kids 2-5 demo, more than doubling year-ago preschool ratings in the time period. A family viewing event, 54% of Adults 18-49 viewed the event with a preschooler.
The season launches with an episode entitled "Goofy's Goofbot" in which Goofy builds a super smart and strong toy robot that looks just like him. Other storylines for season three include an "Indiana Jones"-like adventure, an underwater submarine voyage and a desert journey.
Launched in May 2006, the Emmy-nominated "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" ranked #4 among all TV series in 2009 among core preschoolers Kids 2-5. Globally, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" reached nearly 120 million unduplicated viewers worldwide, airing in over 140 countries and in 25 different languages with title translations including "La Maison de Mickey" (France), "Micky Maus Wunderhaus" (Germany), "La Casa di Topolino" (Italy), "Klub przyjaciół Myszki Miki" (Poland), "Musse Piggs Klubbhus" (Sweden), "La casa de Mickey Mouse" (Spain). Source: Nielsen Media Research, 2009: 12/29/08-12/27/09, U.S. ratings, most current. Based on 2Q09 data.
This year Disney Consumer Products will continue to build on the "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" product line, offering an expanded assortment of toys, apparel, home, accessories and stationery. Inspired by the primetime special, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Choo Choo Express," Disney Consumer Products and Fisher-Price launched Mickey's Magic Choo Choo for the 2009 holiday season. The toy captured an iParenting Award and quickly became a top selling toy.
To date there are over 550 "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" book titles from Disney Publishing sold in 48 countries and published in 250 languages around the world, with almost 15 million books having sold globally to date. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has released five "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" DVDs, all of which have surpassed sales expectations.
"Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" is featured daily in the "Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!" show at Disney Parks around the world, and is also featured in the "Playhouse Disney Live! On Tour" production touring around the world.
Combining the rich heritage of Disney's beloved classic characters with state-of-the-art CG animation, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" introduces a whole new generation of preschoolers to Mickey and his pals. Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto and Daisy all join Mickey in this vibrant interactive series designed to introduce preschoolers to problem solving and early math concepts through contemporary, interactive storytelling.
The series' curriculum is designed to introduce problem solving and early mathematics skills (sequencing, counting, classifying, sorting, complex patterns, spatial relations, size and distance comparisons, addition, subtraction, weights and balances) in a fun way. The series consultants are Dr. Renee Cherow O'Leary, Debbie Jaffe Gower and Iris Sroka, Ph.D. Rob LaDuca is executive producer of "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse." "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" is produced by Disney Television Animation.
"Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" airs weekdays at 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. ET/PT and weekends at 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. ET/PT during Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney programming block for preschoolers. The series carries a TV-Y parental guideline.
Playhouse Disney, seen in a daily programming block on Disney Channel U.S. and on 21 Playhouse Disney channels around the world, encourages 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.
