Full-day Austin & Ally marathon ushers in the highly anticipated sequel sneak peak of new live-action comedy Hank Zipzer follows movie premiere
Toronto, ON – 8 June 2015 – DHX Media – Family Channel kicks off the summer by hanging ten as the eagerly awaited movie sequel Teen Beach 2 adds some sizzle to the network’s can’t-miss Big Ticket Summer programming lineup. Surfing onto the small-screen on Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (day-and-date with Disney Channel in the U.S.), the Disney Channel Original Movie stars fan-favourites Ross Lynch (Austin & Ally) and Maia Mitchell (The Fosters) as summer sweethearts Brady and McKenzie. Ahead of the beach flick, Family’s getting up early for a full-day Austin & Ally marathon starting at 4:30 a.m. ET/PT, leading up to a brand new episode at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT. Immediately following the movie’s debut, viewers will be treated to an exclusive first look at the new series Hank Zipzer which premieres on Family later this summer.
The music and dance-driven sequel, Teen Beach 2, picks up shortly after Teen Beach Movie left off. With surf season over and high school back in session, laid-back Brady and studious Mack’s relationship seems to be headed for a wipeout. But when Lela and Tanner, the main characters of Brady’s favourite 1960s movie “Wet Side Story,” turn up in the “real” world followed by their biker and surfer friends, the gang must come up with a plan to get everyone back into the movie before it’s too late. The television event features an entirely original soundtrack made up of contemporary and 1960s-inspired songs performed by the cast, along with an end credit song performed by pop-rock band R5 and an up-beat track performed by Sabrina Carpenter (Girl Meets World). Fans can harmonize to the sing-a-long version, Teen Beach 2: Sync It, on Friday, July 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the same day Teen Beach 2 is made available on Family OnDemand.
Following the movie, viewers will want to stick around for an introduction to the world’s greatest underachiever with a special sneak peek at the hilarious and heartfelt new series Hank Zipzer. Based on the real life experiences of Henry Winkler (Arrested Development), the live-action comedy follows an exuberant and inventive 12-year-old whose struggles with a learning disability give him a unique perspective on the world. In the preview episode, “The Classroom Catastrophe,” Hank’s radical approach to essay writing lands him in hot water with his hardnosed teacher Mrs. Adolph.
Viewers can ride a virtual wave to Family.ca to learn more about their favourite characters, watch exclusive video content and dance along with Mack, Brady, Lela and Tanner in the awesome new game “Beach Bop Adventure.” Fans can also enter the “Sunsational Dance Party Contest,” sponsored by Best Western, for the chance to win the ultimate Teen Beach experience. The grand prize includes a trip for four to Los Angeles and a party on the beach with the movie’s stars.
Reuniting a multi-talented young cast, Teen Beach 2 stars Ross Lynch (Austin & Ally) as Brady; Maia Mitchell (The Fosters) as McKenzie (“Mack”); Grace Phipps (Baby Daddy) as Lela; Garrett Clayton (The Fosters) as Tanner; John DeLuca (Twisted) as Butchy; Jordan Fisher as Seacat; Mollee Gray (So You Think You Can Dance) as Giggles; Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect 2) as Cheechee; Jessica Lee Keller (Dancing with the Stars) as Struts; William Loftis as Lugnut; and Kent Boyd (So You Think You Can Dance) as Rascal. New to the sequel are Piper Curda (I Didn’t Do It) as Alyssa; Raymond Cham, Jr. (Jessie) as Devon; and Ross Butler (K.C. Undercover) as Spencer.
Teen Beach 2 is directed by Jeffrey Hornaday (A Chorus Line, Flashdance) who also choreographed with Christopher Scott (So You Think You Can Dance). The movie is executive-produced by Michelle Manning (The Breakfast Club) and David Buelow (Teen Beach Movie, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish). Teleplay is by Matt & Billy Eddy (Zapped, Bad Hair Day) with story by Dan Berendsen (Baby Daddy, Hannah Montana The Movie and Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie) and Robert Horn (Teen Beach Movie,Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, Designing Women). A production of Rain Forest Productions, LLC, Teen Beach 2 is based on characters created by Vince Marcello (Teen Beach Movie) and Mark Landry (Teen Beach Movie).
Family Channel offers the best in family television entertainment in a premium, commercial-free environment. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a daily vacation for children and their families, Family airs a unique mix of top-rated Canadian and Disney series, movies and specials. Family Channel subscribers also have access to Family OnDemand and Family OnLine at no additional cost, to see hit movies and series when they want them, where they want them. Visit us at Family.ca.
About DHX Television
DHX Television is comprised of Family Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior (English & French) and is part of DHX Media Ltd., a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Media Ltd. markets and distributes its library of more than 11,000 half-hours of entertainment programming worldwide, and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media Ltd.’s full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media Ltd. has offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Halifax, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam and is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
For additional information, please contact:
Joanna Landsberg
Publicist – DHX Television
joanna.landsberg@dhxmedia.com
416.977.7458