Disney Channel in tune with Jonas Brothers

By Kimberly Nordyke

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - After making stars of singer-actors like Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus, Disney Channel has now set its sights on a trio of teen siblings, ordering a series, movie and concert special starring recording act the Jonas Brothers.

Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas will star in a live-action spy comedy titled "J.O.N.A.S.," which is set to go into production early next year. They play government sleuths -- a.k.a. Junior Operatives Networking as Spies (J.O.N.A.S.) -- who thwart evil while working undercover as a superstar teen rock band. The number of episodes has yet to be determined.

Currently in production in Toronto is "Camp Rock," a music-filled original movie that will premiere on the cable channel next summer. The Jonases play members of a leading musical group, Connect 3, who are celebrity guest counselors at a prestigious summer camp for aspiring musicians.

In addition, the network is set to air a concert special, "Jonas Brothers in Concert," originating from New York's Gramercy Park, on October 6. The special will feature songs from the group's self-titled second album, released by Walt Disney Co.-owned Hollywood Records, which recently reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

All three projects also will air on Disney Channel around the world.

Disney Channel does seem to have a magic touch when it comes to making stars. Along with Duff and "Hannah Montana" starlet Cyrus, it also has boosted the careers of such youngsters as Shia LaBeouf, Zac Efron and Raven-Symone.

And the Jonas Brothers already have a following among the tween set. The trio -- who were raised in Wyckoff, N.J., and now live in Los Angeles -- came to the attention of Radio Disney in early 2005 and were added to its playlist in October of that year. Since then, they recorded the theme song to Disney Channel's animated series "American Dragon: Jake Long," and that music video and others have been regularly featured on the network.

The brothers also were showcased in summer 2006 in a concert special from the "Disney Channel Games" at Walt Disney World in Orlando and guest-starred in the record-setting episode of "Hannah Montana" that aired after the premiere of "High School Musical 2" last month.

Gary Marsh, Disney Channel Worldwide president of entertainment, said music has become a big part of Disney Channel's programming, citing other original movies such as the "High School Musical" and "Cheetah Girls" franchises.

Next up for the Jonas Brothers is a 54-date arena tour as part of the Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds jaunt that kicks off in October.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter