'BRAKING' NEWS: PREMIERE OF 'MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS' TAKES THE CHECKERED FLAG, FUELS DISNEY JUNIOR AND DISNEY CHANNEL TO POLE POSITION

After clocking 10 years of "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" success, Live + 3 day ratings for the premiere of the animated series "Mickey and the Roadster Racers" - in two episodes simulcast Sunday, January 15 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior - track as the #1 cable TV telecast in over one year among Kids 2-5 (1.3 million/8.0 rating) and Boys 2-5 (726,000/9.0 rating). The linear ratings performance is the highest since 11/22/15 ("The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar") and 10/23/15 ("Blaze and the Monster Machines"), respectively - giving the Disney Channels the Top 3 rated cable TV telecasts in nearly two years in the key target preschooler demographic. Consumer engagement across digital and social media platforms was also strong, amassing an additional 1.4 million engagements via the Disney Junior app, reaching over 5.0 million on Facebook and generating 1.0 million video views on YouTube.

Family member co-viewing was also strong on Disney Junior and Disney Channel, resulting in "Mickey and the Roadster Racers" delivering the top-rated telecast of the past two months across kid cable TV networks in Total Viewers (3.6 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.2 million/1.0 rating) and #1 TV telecast in Girls 2-5 (533,000/7.0 rating) - since "Elena and the Secret of Avalor" on Disney Channel/Disney Junior (11/20/16). Disney Channels own the Top 3 most watched animated series telecasts across kid cable TV networks in almost three years in Total Viewers and the Top 7 cable TV telecasts overall in over two years in Girls 2-5 - since 4/21/14 and 1/8/15, respectively.

For all telecasts to date, "Mickey and the Roadster Racers" has reached over 13 million Total Viewers, including 5 million Kids 2-8 and 5 million Adults 18-49.

The Emmy-nominated team behind Disney Junior's hit series "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" also comprise the "Mickey and the Roadster Racers" production team: Rob LaDuca is executive producer, Mark Seidenberg is co-executive producer and supervising story editor, and Thomas Hart is story editor. The series is a production of Disney Television Animation.

The series will premiere internationally throughout 2017 joining the ever-popular "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," which reached 172 million Total Viewers around the world during third quarter 2016 in 31 languages and in 160 countries.

NASCAR stars Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick and Jeff Gordon recur as race car drivers Jiminy Johnson, Danni Sue and Gordon Gear, respectively. Additional guest stars include television personality Jay Leno as announcer Billy Beagle; Tim Gunn ("Project Runway") as Robbie Roberts; Gordon Ramsay ("MasterChef") as Chef Oxley; Hoda Kotb ("The Today Show") as Mrs. Sweetums; Peter Serafinowicz ("Guardians of the Galaxy") as Dr. Crutchley; Jane Leeves ("Frasier") as the Queen of England; Fred Willard ("Best in Show") as Mr. Doozy; Hector Elizondo ("Last Man Standing") as Grandpa Beagle; Tony Shalhoub ("Monk") as Luigi; Kate Micucci ("Garfunkel and Oates") as Emmy Lou; Tia Carrere ("Wayne's World") as Antie Olina; and comedian Patton Oswalt as Mr. McSnorter.

About Disney Junior

Disney Junior 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 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. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel reaching over 73 million U.S. homes. In total, there are 35 Disney Junior channels in 27 languages around the world.