Disney Stage 9 Launched

Stage 9 Digital Media production unit unveiled to create original new-media content for online viewing.

Disney-ABC Television Group has launched Stage 9 Digital Media production unit to create original new-media content, kicking off with the well known comedy series Squeegees, which is being sponsored by Toyota.

The debut project, Squeegees, is part of the new Stage 9 Digital Media featuring the Disney new-media content. Squeegees comes from the comedy team Handsome Donkey. It is a character-driven ensemble comedy about entrepreneurial slackers and their fledging window-washing business.

New episodes will debut every Monday and Friday.

The studio's rollout of new short-form programming will continue with Voicemail 2, the second season of ABC's first original series inspired by one man's decade-long collection of phone messages. In addition, slated to debut this spring is the original science-fiction action thriller Trenches, from Shane Felux, the creator of the online hits Pitching George Lucas and Star Wars Revelations.

"An integral part of our overall digital strategy, Stage 9 was created to bridge the gap between user-generated content and traditional production, and is a perfect example of how we are continually looking at innovative methods to develop, produce, market and distribute the high-quality programming that consumers demand," Anne Sweeney, the co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of the Disney-ABC Television Group said.

It is the first of 20 planned online programs currently in initial development.