[Press Release - Released by Disney Channel]

DISNEY CHANNEL ORDERS ADDITIONAL EPISODES OF ITS EMMY-WINNING COMEDY, "WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE"

Kids and Tweens Connect to Milestone Making Series on TV, Online and at Retail

Disney Channel has ordered additional third-season episodes of its Emmy Award-winning comedy series, "Wizards of Waverly Place," bringing the episodic count to 86 episodes thus far, plus a blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie that premiered in August.

In making the announcement, Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide, said: "The appeal of 'Wizards' is simple: it's our extraordinary cast. This is undoubtedly one of the strongest comedic ensembles on television. When you couple that with an incredibly gifted writing and producing team, the result is pure comedic magic."

Created by Todd J. Greenwald and executive-produced by Peter Murrieta, Greenwald, Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio, the series stars Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise.

The series recently reached a new pinnacle of achievement by winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program, and inspiring the critically acclaimed "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie" that ranks as cable TV's #2 scripted telecast of all time in Total Viewers (13.5 million), Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14, and TV's #1 telecast of 2009 among Kids 6-11, surpassing NBC's Super Bowl coverage. The series was also a key part of a special Disney Channel series crossover episode, "Wizards On Deck with Hannah Montana," which delivered a noteworthy 9.2 million Total Viewers.

Its solid rapport with kids and tweens has also cast a spell off TV with a Walt Disney Records CD that ranks #3 on the Billboard Kids Chart. Its debut track, "Magic," by Selena Gomez, has been on Radio Disney's Top 5 most requested chart since its July premiere. Also available are books, two compilation DVDs from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, and a fast-selling DS console game from Disney Interactive Studios. The Disney Consumer Products "BoHo Chic"-inspired back to school fashion collection, available nationwide at retailers including Sears, Kmart and Wal-mart, exceeded expectations, and new lines are currently in development with character Alex Russo's style as inspiration. The consumer products line also includes accessories, bedding, stationery and fashion dolls and will continue to expand as the franchise grows.

Series star Selena Gomez makes her solo recording debut with the CD "Kiss & Tell" from Selena Gomez & The Scene, releasing September 29 on Hollywood Records.

Selena Gomez is the national spokesperson for Sears' Back to School initiative, "Don't Go Back Arrive." Sears was the exclusive sponsor of "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie" premiere and "Wizards of Waverly Place Arrive in Style" sweepstakes on Disney Channel, Radio Disney and Disney Online and in-store at Sears.

Sara Lee features "Wizards of Waverly Place" on 40 million packages and in-store displays as part of its school year-long promotion of Soft and Smooth bread products. A sweepstakes promotion for a chance to win lunch with the stars of "Wizards of Waverly Place" is on Disney Channel, Disney Online and Radio Disney and in FamilyFun Magazine.

"Wizards of Waverly Place" anchors 'Wiz-tober,' a Halloween programming event hosted by Gomez, Henrie, Austin and Stone, beginning THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1. Season three premieres FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT), with new episodes presented on Friday nights throughout October on Disney Channel.

"Wizards of Waverly Place" is a production of It's a Laugh Productions for Disney Channel and carries a TV-G parental guideline.

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 98 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.

This is a post from Daemon's TV.

Disney Channel Orders More Episodes of WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE

Discovery Channel's new show, INTO THE UNKNOWN WITH JOSH BERNSTEIN, premieres tonight, August 18, at 10pm. We were able to get our hands on a clip and promo video to share with you, as well as take a sneak peek at the first episode.

International explorer Josh Bernstein travels the world on epic quests for knowledge and discovery. Inspired by deep mysteries and burning questions, he takes a series of unforgettable journeys into the unknown; no location is too remote, no culture too exotic, no goal too ambitious. Each quest sparks new revelations and incredible insights as Josh takes us on a thrilling hunt for answers

The first episode of Into the Unknown, "The Secret Life of Gladiators," follows Josh Bernstein as he tries to separate the truth from the myth about Gladiators.

Turns out, Hollywood might not have gotten everything right about them. Movies like Gladiator perpetuate the myth that gladiators were forced into that life, when actually they decided to become gladiators for the prestige it brought them (which is compared to being a Rock Star nowadays).

I found the first episode quite enjoyable. I am always fascinated by how we so easily take certain things as fact without anything to back it up. I actually learned quite a lot about gladiators and never realized what it really meant to be one.

You can watch a promo for Into the Unknown and a clip from the first episode below.

This is a post from Daemon's TV.

Review & Videos: INTO THE UNKNOWN "The Secret Life of Gladiators"

This week, the Smash Lab team tests an idea to use giant airbags on the front of a train to push cars safely out of the way. That would be a neat trick, but then again if that worked then movies could not use the cliche of the car stuck in the middle of a train track anymore... oh welll...

This is a post from Daemon's TV.

SMASH LAB - Preview Clip: A train with giant airbags...

You can expect a lot crashing and exploding. Each episode has the goal of answering out of the box questions like "Could bullet proof Kevlar protect an airliner from bombs?" or "could truck dampers be used to earthquake proof a house?" I know I am curious about the answers

Smash Lab airs Wednesdays at 10pm starting Jan. 16 on Discovery Channel, right after Mythbusters.

Check out a preview of the show!

This is a post from Daemon's TV.

SMASH LAB on Discovery Channel