In a first for original Disney Channel series, Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens will live on in syndication, as Superstation WGN secured the exclusive rights to the tween-targeted shows.
Beginning this fall, WGN will begin airing Lizzie, starring actress and singer Hillary Duff, and Stevens, starring Shia LaBeouf and Christy Carlson Romano, weekdays during the early-fringe daypart, as well as on weekends.
Negotiated by distributor Buena Vista Television, WGN acquired all three seasons -- 65 installments apiece -- of both shows. Deal-term specifics were not disclosed, but sources familiar with the negotiations said The Walt Disney Co. properties didn't retain any barter inventory. However, Disney does retain the shows' rights for other vehicles and platforms, according to the sources.
Officials at WGN, now available in some 68 million cable and satellite homes, said the superstation will run the shows back-to-back, along with Moesha, Home Improvement and AFV, as part of its family-entertainment block.
"Advertisers are consistently asking for objection-free programming, and the addition of the award-winning Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens to Superstation WGN's pre-dinner entertainment block further enhances our comprehensive, family-friendly lineup," Superstation WGN general manager Bill Shaw said in a prepared statement. "These programs target tweens and teens, but they are still very popular among the entire family."
