NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG), Disney Channel and Walt Disney Records today announced the launch of "D*Concert: Disney Channel Concert Series," a virtual concert series premiering exclusively in Disney Xtreme Digital(SM) (Disney XD(SM)). The series will feature Disney Channel-headlining musical acts Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls and the cast of High School Musical. Available only on Disney.com, Disney XD is a customizable, personalized entertainment and social networking experience that now allows fans participate online.
The three-month online concert series, spanning from March through May, will kick off with a Hannah Montana performance beginning March 13 and available through March 19. Concerts featuring the cast of acclaimed Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical and singing sensations The Cheetah Girls will take place, respectively, in April and May. Fans can register online at www.disney.com/dconcert to collect exclusive D*Concert badges, chat with other fans and compete for the highest score in new D*Concert games. Each concert will host its own set of unique and fun interactive content making each show a musical must-see event for all ages.
"We're excited to be working with Disney Channel and Walt Disney Records to bring the D*Concert Series to the millions of fans of these great artists. D*Concert is a great example of the original content that will be showcased on Disney.com," said Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online. "Working with the many creative teams across the breadth of The Walt Disney Company, we are focused on bringing audiences new, amazing entertainment experiences that fully leverage the unique aspects of personalization, on demand delivery, and interactivity with our brands that the internet offers."
"We are dedicated to providing Disney Channel viewers with access to their favorite shows and characters on all of the platforms they are using," said Albert Cheng, executive vice president, digital media, Disney-ABC Television Group. "These online, on-demand concerts are a great way that we can connect kids with the music and talent they love in a truly unique way."
"The internet has become a favorite resource for discovering and enjoying new artists and their music. Disney XD is uniquely positioned as a powerful destination for people to discover exclusive performances from the exciting artists from the Walt Disney Records family," said Jim Weatherson, senior vice president/general manager, Walt Disney Records. "The segue from hit Disney Channel properties to concert arenas and now to the internet is a natural progression that continues our tradition of bringing great music to families. These concerts follow on the heels of our record-breaking, sold-out Cheetah Girls and High School Musical tours."
The Hannah Montana D*Concert will feature Miley Cyrus performing as "Hannah Montana," the character she portrays in Disney Channel hit live-action comedy series that follows typical tween Miley Stewart, who lives with her older brother and widowed dad, a songwriter. The Hannah Montana Soundtrack, released last Fall, was the first-ever TV soundtrack to enter the Billboard Top 200 at #1.
The High School Musical D*Concert will showcase performances from the recent sold-out, 42-date High School Musical: The Concert tour. Featuring many of the stars of the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie including Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman, along with newcomer Drew Seeley, the High School Musical D*Concert special will also be featured on Disney Channel in May. Walt Disney Records will release the first-ever live CD + DVD package with High School Musical: The Concert on May 1. The set will contain all 10 songs from the quadruple platinum soundtrack on the audio CD, plus concert highlights on the DVD. The concert was filmed at Houston's Toyota Center in December.
Featuring the high energy singing and dancing trio made up of Sabrina Bryan, Kiely Williams and Adrienne Bailon, The Cheetah Girls D*Concert will showcase songs from the platinum-selling soundtracks of the Disney Channel Original Movies "The Cheetah Girls" and "The Cheetah Girls 2." The Cheetahs 86-date sold-out concert tour was one of the most successful tours of 2006/2007. Walt Disney Records will release the second installment of the live franchise with The Cheetah Girls: The Concert CD + DVD in June. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
