Disney Channel Renews 'Bizaardvark'

Disney Channel has renewed its freshman comedy series Bizaardvark for a second season, the network said Thursday.

The series, which follows two friends who create music video on their vlog channel Bizaardvark, will return with new episodes in 2017. The series stars Olivia Rodrigo, Madison Hu, DeVore Ledridge and Ethan Wacker.

"Our hope is that Bizaardvark inspires kids to embrace their own creativity and individuality, and encourages them to express themselves,” said Adam Bonnett, executive vice president, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide in a statement. “We're excited about the direction that executive producer Eric Friedman and the creative team have planned for the new season, which will continue to build on the series' smart and clever storytelling."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.