TORONTO – Family Channel announced today it will premiere a couple of new summer shows on demand, prior to their airing on the linear channel.
First up is Camp Rock, which will air on Family OnDemand three days prior to airing on the linear service. Other premieres and exclusive viewing opportunities will be brought to the service throughout the summer including the sneak peek of the first installment of the Disney Channel Games.
(Since Family is a pay service (i.e., no commercials, it has no ad clients to protect by making sure the premiere happens on a linear service.)
“Sneak previews and unique opportunities are a big deal for many people, but kids in particular love to see something first or be part of an exclusive experience. Family OnDemand was designed for value-added, exclusive experiences that complement the linear service. Program premieres such as Camp Rock and Disney Channel Games are the perfect use of this platform,” said Joe Tedesco, vice-president and general manager, Family Channel and Playhouse Disney. “We’ve got a blockbuster lineup this summer, and we’re excited to be able to leverage Family OnDemand whenever possible to give kids and their families the programming they want, when they want it, as often as they want it.”
Camp Rock premieres on Family OnDemand, starting June 17 – three days prior to its broadcast on Family Channel. This music-filled show stars Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers and is set at a summer camp for aspiring rock stars. The Camp Rock experience will be augmented with music videos from the film, giving Family OnDemand users multiple opportunities to engage with the film. Camp Rock airs on Family Channel’s linear service on June 20.
Family OnDemand viewers will also see Disney Channel Games, which appears on demand on July 27 – a week prior to its debut broadcast on Family Channel. This mini-series divides Disney stars from around the world into teams and pits them against each other in a series of contests. It begins its five-part run on Family Channel on August 1.
Family OnDemand offers a minimum of 30 hours of programming, refreshed weekly, including series such as Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Kim Possible; and popular Canadian series such as Life With Derek and the new series The Latest Buzz. The service also features Playhouse Disney series such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Franny’s Feet.
Family Channel is a premium, commercial-free network offering family-friendly TV fare in 5.6 million homes across Canada.
