AWN Headline News

The Disney Channel has formed a new management team, as a result of ABC Cable Networks Group's recent reorganization. Gary Marsh was named executive vice president, original programming and production; Andrea Taylor, senior vice president, marketing; and Jill Casagrande senior vice president, programming. "This team's creative vision and expertise in the marketplace will ensure Disney Channel's place as a leader in the creation of quality, kid-driven original product," said Rich Ross, general manager, Disney Channel. "This is the perfect team to build upon our already successful network.

Nickelodeon has renewed five first season shows including AS TOLD BY GINGER (20 EPISODES), THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS (14), INVADER ZIM (20) and PELSWICK (13). In addition, Nelvana-produced MAGGIE AND THE FEROCIOUS BEAST has also been renewed for 13 episodes. AS TOLD BY GINGER, produced by Klasky Csupo, follows 12-year-old Ginger Foutley as she crosses the shaky bridge between childhood and adolescence. THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS follows 10-year-old Timmy Turner and his fairly odd fairy godparents.

Turner Sports Interactive has acquired the animated Web series THE KELLYS from SportsBlast, the animation production company founded by voiceover artist Nancy Cartwright (THE SIMPSONS). This deal marks the first major sale for SportsBlast, which creates sports-themed animation content. Webisodes will premiere exclusively on NASCAR.com in September. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Web series is a dramedy that explores the world of stock car racing, drivers, pit crews, sponsors and fans through the lives of the Kelly family, underdogs who race the NASCAR circuit.

Nickelodeon and Jive Records have inked a deal to distribute records under the new Nick Records label. Under the multiyear deal, Jive and Nick Records will team for marketing, promotion and distribution of joint venture releases worldwide. The first album due out under the pact is the soundtrack to the Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies feature JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS, scheduled to hit theaters on November 6. Jive's 13-year-old pop sensation Aaron Carter will provide several tracks for the project.

Digimation, Inc. has shipped FaceGen, an all-purpose head generator for 3ds max 3 and 4. FaceGen is built around a series of published anatomical metrics for real-life male and female heads. With the software, users receive full control over each feature independently. FaceGen also offers a complete set of Custom Mesh components so that after users create their preferred head style, they can add a skeletal structure beneath that will fit perfectly.

Walt Disney Home Entertainment has announced the release of RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT on VHS and DVD. Hitting stores on August 7, the theatrical film based on the popular TV series RECESS follows TJ's adventure to stop ex-principal Benedict's evil plan to ruin summer vacation. The voice cast features such stars as Dabney Coleman, James Woods and Melissa Joan Hart. The VHS and DVD will both contain the music videos for "Green Tambourine" by Robert Goulet and "Dancing in the Street" by Myra.

Vans Inc., the leading worldwide brand for Core Sports, has announced that Microsoft's Xbox will be a title sponsor of the Vans Triple Crown Series. The Series features athletes competing in three championship events in each of the following sports: skateboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, snowboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross. Xbox titled events include: the Xbox Pro of Freestyle Motocross, the Xbox World Championships of Skateboarding and the Xbox Pipeline Masters of Surfing, as well as ongoing sponsorship of the overall Vans Triple Crown Series.

* Alias|Wavefront Siggraph User Group Meeting at SIGGRAPH 2001: Sunday, August 12 - Wednesday, August 15, 2001, Los Angeles, California USA.

Entry Deadline: Wednesday, August 01, 2001

* Animation Workout With Guest Director Larry Hummel, ICM: Tuesday, August 21, 2001, Burbank, California USA.

Aardman Animation, Cartoon Network, Nelvana and the National Film and Television School, U.K. film and animation school, have formed the Animation Committee to discover and support European animation talent. The organization will review toon shorts quarterly. The best of those shorts will be aired on Britshorts.com. Some of those shorts will be selected for further development in film and television.

Jumping up to the 40th spot, THE SIMPSONS scored a 5.4 rating/10 share. This is .5 better than it captured last week. The special Tuesday night airing of THE SIMPSONS grabbed a 4 rating/7 share for 69th place. Dropping from 57th to finish in 73rd, FAMILY GUY fashioned a 3.8 rating/6 share. In 77th place, KING OF THE HILL hitched a 3.6 rating/7 share. FUTURAMA racked in a 2.9 rating/6 share in 88th place. The U.S. universe estimate used for calculating ratings for the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, UPN, PAX and WB) is equal to 100% of all TV households.