DISNEY XD GREENLIGHTS INNOVATIVE NEW SERIES "LAB RATS: ELITE FORCE," A SPIN-OFF OF TWO POPULAR COMEDY SERIES, "LAB RATS: BIONIC ISLAND" AND "MIGHTY MED"

Disney XD has ordered "Lab Rats: Elite Force," a spin-off of its two popular live-action comedy series, "Lab Rats: Bionic Island" and "Mighty Med." It was announced today by Adam Bonnett, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide. Reprising their starring roles on their respective series are Billy Unger as Chase and Bradley Steven Perry as Kaz, Jake Short as Oliver, Paris Berelc as Skylar, and Kelli Berglund as Bree. Production will begin in October and is scheduled to premiere in 2016.

Bonnett said, "Disney XD is bringing together some of its most popular stars to assemble a super-sized series that will appeal to fans of both shows." He added, "Chris Peterson and Bryan Moore have been at the helm of delivering event programming for our viewers, and we're excited that they will continue to develop these imaginative worlds and characters that audiences have come to love."

Merging the two series, "Lab Rats: Elite Force" is set in the "Lab Rats" world after the Mighty Med hospital is destroyed by a band of unknown super-villains. Kaz, Oliver and Skylar join forces with Chase and Bree to form a powerful elite force that combines bionic abilities and superpowers. Together, they vow to track down the villains and keep the world safe.

In a recent crossover episode, "Lab Rats vs. Mighty Med" (7/22/15) scored a 1-year "Lab Rats" high in Total Viewers (1.3 million) while the special was "Mighty Med"s #1 telecast of all time in Total Viewers and its #2 telecast ever in target Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11 demographics. The special ranked a dominant #1 in its time slot across target Kids 6-11, Boys 6-11, Kids 2-11 and Boys 2-11 demographics and was the #3 original scripted cable TV series telecast in Total Viewers.*

"Lab Rats" creators, Chris Peterson and Bryan Moore ("That '70s Show"), serve as executive producers. The series is a production of It's A Laugh Productions, Inc.

Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for kids age 6-11, hyper-targeting boys and transporting them into worlds full of humor, unexpected fun and inspiring action-filled adventures. Disney XD-branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 80 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. In total, there are 31 Disney XD channels available in 25 languages around the world.

*Source: NTI, L+7 U.S. ratings, 7/22/15