Jake And The Never Land Pirates Special to Feature Peter Pan

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgPress Release from Disney Channel

The classic character Peter Pan makes his first-ever appearance in the hit series for kids age 2-7, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," in a primetime special presentation, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns," premiering MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. Featuring six original songs, the special finds Peter Pan returning to Pirate Island to enlist Jake, Izzy, Cubby and Skully in finding his lost shadow. Adam Wylie ("Picket Fences") voices the role of Peter Pan.

Generating excitement and demand among the youngest viewer category (kids age 2-5) and their parents, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" ranks as 2011's #1 series launch in the demographic (kids age 2-5) and cable TV's #1 series among Boys 2-5. Overall, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" is pacing as Disney Channel's #1 preschool series of all time among Total Viewers (2.2 million), Kids 2-5 (1.03 million/6.1 rating), Boys 2-5 (648,000/7.5 rating) and Women 18-49 (424,000/0.6 rating).

Season two will debut MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 with new episodes airing daily at 8:30 a.m., ET/PT throughout the week. Sharon Osbourne, Josh Duhamel, Jane Kaczmarek and Tiffani Thiessen star in recurring roles, joining the series notable voice cast including David Arquette, Tori Spelling, Lisa Loeb, Adam West and Ariel Winter.

Beginning Monday, February 6, DisneyJunior.com/PeterPan will feature "Jake's Countdown to Peter Pan" and the debut of a new two-part game, "Shadow Shenanigans," where players can take on the role of Peter Pan's shadow to try to wake the sleeping Jolly Roger crew and then play a shadow matching game.

A full-length preview of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns" will become available via Disney Channel on Demand on February 6. Mobile providers Sprint TV and MobiTV will simulcast the special in conjunction with the television premiere on February 13 on Disney Channel. The special will be available the following day on mobile VOD for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon customers.

Based on Sir James Barrie's classic children's book, Disney's Peter Pan was first seen on the big screen in the 1953 film "Peter Pan" and later in 2002's "Return to Never Land." A fan favorite of multiple generations, Peter Pan, the little boy who never grows up and has the magical ability to fly, has also been featured in a variety of Disney television specials and direct-to-video releases, as well as the popular video game series "Kingdom Hearts."  

"Jake and the Never Land Pirates" introduces a crew of kid pirates – leader Jake and pals Izzy and Cubby - and follows their Never Land adventures as they work to outwit two infamous characters, the one and only Captain Hook and Smee, from Disney's classic "Peter Pan." The series, which emphasizes teamwork, features original pirate rock music performed by Sharky and Bones of The Never Land Pirate Band.

"Jake and the Never Land Pirates" airs daily during Disney Channel's Disney Junior programming block for kids age 2-7. The series stars Colin Ford as Jake; Madison Pettis as Izzy; Jonathan Morgan Heit as Cubby; David Arquette as Skully; Corey Burton as Captain Hook; Jeff Bennett as Mr. Smee and Bones and Loren Hoskins as Sharky. Rob LaDuca ("Mickey Mouse Clubhouse") is executive producer. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.

The Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's animated and live action series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills.  Disney Junior is available on basic cable in more than 99 million U.S. homes (via a daily block on Disney Channel) and to millions of other viewers on 28 Disney Junior channels (fka Playhouse Disney channels) and free-to-air broadcast partners around the world. It is also seen via subscription video-on-demand and a broadband website, DisneyJunior.com. In 2012, Disney Junior will add a basic cable and satellite channel in the U.S.