"AUSTIN & ALLY" STRIKES A CHORD!

DISNEY CHANNEL PICKS UP A SECOND SEASON OF TOP-RATED SERIES "AUSTIN & ALLY"

Disney Channel has ordered a second season of the hit music-driven comedy series "Austin & Ally," it was announced today by Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide. The series premiered in December 2011 and year to-date, ranks #1 in its time period among Kids 2-11, 6-11 and Tweens. It follows the improbable partnership between two polar opposites -- Austin, an extroverted musician/singer and Ally, a brilliant yet shy songwriter -- and their two best friends, Trish and Dez.

In making the announcement, Bonnett said, "'Austin & Ally' has struck a chord with viewers who love the relationships and funny storylines, along with the upbeat music. We are excited to continue the characters' journeys with the amazingly talented cast and creative team."

Created and executive-produced by Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert ("Good Burger," "Kenan & Kel," Disney Channel's "Sonny With A Chance" and "JONAS"), the series stars musician and actor Ross Lynch as Austin, talented actress Laura Marano ("Without a Trace," "Back to You") as Ally, Raini Rodriguez (Disney's "Prom," "I'm in the Band") as Trish and Calum Worthy ("Psych," "Good Luck Charlie") as Dez.

Music from the series has connected with audiences, with "A Billion Hits" by Ross Lynch as Austin Moon soaring to the #1 spot on Radio Disney's Top 30. The song will be included on an official "Austin & Ally" soundtrack available later in the year.

Year to date, "Austin & Ally" is TV's #1 series on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. in Kids 2-11 (2.1 million/5.1 rating), Kids 6-11 (1.7 million/7.0 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (1.5 million/6.1 rating), and cable's #1 series in Total Viewers (3.4 million).*

Set in Miami, the story began when Austin and Dez "borrowed" one of Ally's songs, recorded it and put it on the internet. Austin was thrown into the spotlight and his friends jumped in to help. Ally, who works in the music store, Sonic Boom, teamed up with Austin as his songwriter, Trish became his manager and Dez took on the role of music video director. Now, as the gang works together to pursue their dreams in the music world, they experience many "life moments" along the way, including typical situations like Quincea�eras and school applications, to less than normal ones like tracking down a mall thief and getting locked in an ice cream freezer.

New episodes of "Austin & Ally" air SUNDAYS on Disney Channel. The series is a production of It's A Laugh Productions, Inc and carries a TV-G parental guideline.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

*[Source: NTI, US ratings, most current, 12/26/11-3/4/12.]