Disney to rebrand cable channel 'Disney XD' as it launches series that mimics Montana success

Article by: Associated Press
Updated: January 7, 2009 - 2:52 PM

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LOS ANGELES - Hannah Montana, meet Aaron Stone.

With a series that appears to mimic the success of teen idol Miley Cyrus except with a boy lead, The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday it was launching a new series called "Aaron Stone" to help rebrand its sagging "Toon Disney" channel on basic cable.

The series debuts with a preview episode on iTunes at the end of January, and features regular kid Charlie Landers becoming the larger-than-life crime fighter Aaron Stone, much like Cyrus, a normal girl who leads the secret life of a pop star.

Disney is hoping the series helps bring new audiences to its 24-hour basic cable channel, which it is rebranding as "Disney XD" on Feb. 13 at midnight with a renewed focus on boys aged 6 to 14.

"Boys, like girls, place incredibly high standards on their entertainment choices," said Gary Marsh, president of entertainment for Disney Channels Worldwide, in a statement. "They demand complex, multifaceted characters that, while not perfect, are smart, selfless, determined and brave. Disney XD will deliver those kinds of characters and stories."

(This version CORRECTS launch date)