NEW YORK -- Buoyant after another year of record-setting ratings, Disney Channels Worldwide affirmed its plan to further build its creative and ratings strength, its audience engagement and its valuable multiplatform sales opportunities, today at Disney Media's 2013-14 Kids Upfront presentation. Held at New York's Hudson Theatre, many sponsors and advertisers attended the event with their children.

The evening included musical performances by the global sensation Bridgit Mendler (star of Disney Channel's "Good Luck Charlie" and a Gold-certified Hollywood Records recording artist) and popular actor and Hollywood Records recording artist Ross Lynch ("Austin & Ally," "Teen Beach Movie" and the band R5) who performed his Radio Disney hit song, "Can You Feel It." The show opened with a performance by Radio Disney's N.B.T. (Next BIG Thing) season five winners Chloe & Halle. Crash, the mischievous puppet star of Disney XD's sitcom "Crash & Bernstein," crashed the presentation. Special on-stage appearances were made by teen superstar Laura Marano ("Austin & Ally") and newcomer Dove Cameron (of two upcoming Disney Channel projects, the movie "Cloud 9" and comedy series "Liv & Maddie.")

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, "We remain focused on delivering distinctively Disney quality programming to kids and families around world and are invigorated by the remarkable viewer response we've seen across all key demographics over the past year."

Marsh announced that the 24-hour Disney Junior channel, which accepts select   sponsorships, will begin reporting Nielsen ratings as of April 1, 2013. The channel marks its first anniversary this month.

The daily Disney Junior block on Disney Channel has emerged as the leader with four hit series for kids age 2-7 and their parents: "Doc McStuffins" (cable TV's #1 series of 2012 among Kids 2-5, Girls 2-5 and Boys 2-5), "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" (each Top 3 contenders in Kids 2-5 and Boys 2-5) and the new series "Sofia the First" (the #1 cable TV series for both of its two months among Kids, Girls 2-5 and the #1 preschooler cable TV series in Total Viewers and Women 18-49. November 2012's premiere of "Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess" was the #1 telecast in cable TV history in Kids 2-5 and Girls 2-5, and #1 preschooler cable TV telecast ever in Total Viewers and Women 18-49).

Marsh also told advertisers that Disney XD will expand its Marvel Universe programming block with two new animated series, one starring the hugely popular super hero The Hulk and another starring The Avengers. For 2012, Disney XD soared to its biggest year in the channel's history (including its 10 years as Toon Disney) with original series including "Lab Rats," "Kickin' It" and "Crash & Bernstein," and the animated Marvel Universe series "Ultimate Spider-Man." Disney XD posted yearly ratings records (in both Primetime and Total Day) in Total Viewers and its targeted kid and boy demographics, 2-11, 6-14, 6-11 and 9-14, rising by solid margins over year-ago results. Marvel's "Ultimate Spider-Man" season two debuted in January 2013 and to date, is Disney XD's #1 animated series in Kids and Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11.

At the event, Marsh presented the first in an exciting series of cartoon shorts starring the endearing, adventurous and funny antics of Mickey Mouse, one of the most popular characters in the world. Produced by Disney Television Animation, the "Mickey Mouse" shorts preview beginning today, TUESDAY, MARCH 12 exclusively on Disney.com and will begin rolling out FRIDAY, JUNE 28 on Disney Channel, Disney.com and WATCH Disney Channel, among other platforms.