Disney Renews ‘Austin & Ally’

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Disney Channel has ordered a fourth season of its comedy series Austin & Ally, the network announced Saturday.

The series, which stars Ross Lynch, Laura Marano, Raini Rodriguez and Calum Worthy, finished as the top series on TV among tweens in 2013, as well as the second most watched series among kids 2-11 and kids 6-11.

"The strength of this series helped make 2013 Disney Channel's highest rated year ever among Tweens, an audience that is invested in the Austin & Ally stories, and the fun they experience on a journey with the characters,” said Adam Bonnett, executive vice president of original programming for Disney Channels Worldwide. “We're looking forward to delivering many more engaging stories soon."

R. Thomas Umstead
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.