Disney Channel this week announced it has extended the second season of its popular live-action comedy series Wizards of Waverly Place, doubling its production order from 13 to 26 episodes.

The series for kids launched in October 2007 and has become one of the channel’s biggest hits, ranking No. 1 among kids 6-11 and tweens in its Sunday 8:30 p.m. timeslot, according to Nielsen Media Research. Created by Hannah Montana’s Todd Greenwald and executive-produced by Peter Murrieta (Greetings from Tucson, Hope & Faith), Greenwald, Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio (Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior) for It's a Laugh Productions, the series stars Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise.

“Wizards is an unqualified hit, and it has turned its cast into bonafide superstars,” Gary Marsh, president of entertainment for Disney Channels Worldwide, said in a statement. “The producers have done a masterful job hand-crafting every story, and adding more episodes will give them the creative freedom and flexibility to be even more adventurous in their storytelling."

Wizards of Waverly Place is seen around the world on 27 Disney Channels and begins rolling out on terrestrial broadcasters in September, Disney officials said. Full episodes are available on DisneyChannel.com's broadband player, on video-on-demand, mobile platforms, iTunes, Xbox and onboard airlines.
The show will remain in production until January, network officials said.

Source: Disney Channel Extends Second Season - 8/29/2008 11:06:00 AM - Multichannel News