Press Release from Disney Channel

Disney Channel has ordered a second season of its hit Playhouse Disney animated series, "Special Agent Oso," starring Academy Award nominee Sean Astin. The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, senior vice president, Playhouse Disney Worldwide.

The interactive series emphasizes discovery, humor and organizational skills. Paying homage to special agent classics, the series follows Oso, voiced by Astin, a lovable yet bumbling stuffed panda bear who works for U.N.I.Q.U.E. (United Network for Investigating Quite Usual Events), an international organization of stuffed animals charged with helping kids accomplish everyday tasks such as mailing a letter, cleaning their room or learning how to use the library.

Kanter said: "'Special Agent Oso' has launched stronger and faster than any preschool series in our history -- not just in the U.S., but around the world. This wonderfully playful, energetic series is all about problem solving, with endearing Oso enlisting kids at home to help solve the everyday problems of preschoolers everywhere."

Astin said: "I'm so proud of this show, especially because my kids have connected with it and that makes me cool in their book. I can't wait to start recording Oso's new missions for the second season with our fantastic technical team and my incredibly talented castmates."

Since its April 4, 2009 premiere, "Special Agent Oso" has been TV's #1 program in its daily timeslot, defeating Nickelodeon by 41% among Kids 2-5 (628,000 vs. 444,000). In addition, the series delivered Disney Channel's most-watched telecast ever in the timeslot on May 14, and on June 13 the series delivered TV's top two rated telecasts among kids 2-5 for the day.

The series has premiered in over 35 countries and five languages and has reached over 23.7 million unduplicated viewers. Among its notable performances is the UK, where "Special Agent Oso" delivered the most watched Playhouse Disney weekend launch ever among Total Viewers.

The "Special Agent Oso" website, where kids can earn their own Digi-Medals and watch streaming video of the series, ranks as the #1 show site on PlayhouseDisney.com.

A production of Walt Disney Television Animation, "Special Agent Oso" features an innovative mixture of digital-cut out, 3D and Flash animation, as well as collage and papier-mache to create texture and tangibility. Ford Riley ("The Land Before Time," "Higglytown Heroes") is creator and executive producer. Jamie Mitchell ("Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too," "Little Mermaid," "Hey Arnold") is director and co-executive producer.

"Special Agent Oso" airs daily at 8:00 a.m., ET/PT during Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney programming block for preschoolers. The series carries a TV-Y parental guideline.

Playhouse Disney, seen in a daily programming block on Disney Channel U.S. and on 21 Playhouse Disney channels around the world, encourages preschoolers to imagine and learn through original series, short-form and acquired programming that includes song, movement and entertainment. Guided by an established curriculum, Playhouse Disney supports multiple areas of child development: physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills as well as moral and ethical development through carefully constructed themes, storylines and endearing characters.