DISNEY CHANNEL ANNOUNCES START OF PRODUCTION ON NEW LIVE-ACTION COMEDY SERIES, "AUSTIN & ALLY"

Disney Channel has ordered "Austin & Ally," an original, live-action comedy series chronicling the friendship of an unlikely duo whose lives unexpectedly enliven when one becomes an overnight Internet musical sensation. The multi-camera series will begin production in Hollywood this summer for a scheduled late 2011 premiere on Disney Channel.

Starring are newcomer Ross Lynch as Austin, 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.

The series follows the partnership between polar opposites -- Austin, an extroverted musician/singer, and Ally, a brilliant yet shy songwriter -- and their two best friends, Trish and Dez. Unbeknownst to Ally, Austin and Dez "borrow" one of her songs, record it, create a video and post it on the Internet, after which it and Austin become a local sensation. When Trish convinces Ally to tell the world she wrote the song, Austin pleads with her to write another hit for him. Instead, the two combine their talents to create a true musical tour-de-force.

"Austin & Ally" was created and is executive-produced by Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert ("Good Burger," "Kenan & Kel," Disney Channel's "Sonny With A Chance" and "JONAS"). The pilot was directed by Shelley Jensen ("Good Luck Charlie," "Shake It Up").

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.