Disney XD Teams with NBA for 'Pranksgiving' Programming Event

NBA players will join Disney XD in "giving pranks" throughout November as Disney XD returns the hit programming event "Pranksgiving," beginning MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 -- with new episodes available earlier each week to verified WATCH Disney XD users. A specially drafted NBA pranking crew -- Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets) and DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers) -- get in the pranking game with the comedic and unpredictable puppet Crash (of the sitcom "Crash & Bernstein") and together, they pull fun and over-the-top tricks on Disney XD's biggest stars. Each Monday, a new fan-voted prank will be revealed on Disney XD along with new prank-themed episodes including Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) guest starring in the new comedy series "Mighty Med."

Verified WATCH Disney XD users can access first looks at the new episodes of "Lab Rats," "Kickin' It," "Crash & Bernstein" and "Mighty Med" at WATCHDisneyXD.com or by downloading the WATCH Disney XD app for smart phones and tablets.

"Pranksgiving" will also feature the return of the hidden camera series "Just Kidding" and the launch of a comedic Japanese-style game show "Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!" Both series will roll out with new episodes weeknights throughout the month beginning Monday, November 4 (7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., ET/PT, respectively).

On Monday, November 4 (8:30 p.m., ET/PT), Dwight Howard guest stars as The Great Defender, a superhero with the ability to create a defensive shield and make powers rebound off of him, in the new sitcom "Mighty Med." When Kaz and Oliver (played by popular Disney stars Bradley Steven Perry and Jake Short) learn that pranks do not exist in the world of their superhero friend Skylar (played by newcomer Paris Berelc), they set out to teach her how to prank. When The Great Defender joins in, he takes the pranks too far and wreaks havoc on the hospital. The episode will be available to verified users on the WATCH XD app and HYPERLINK "http://watchdisneyxd.go.com/"WATCHDisneyXD.com, beginning Friday, November 1.

"Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!" features four teams who are dropped into a Japanese-style game show filled with high energy at every turn including outrageously fun physical challenges and wildly entertaining characters. It is hosted by the enthusiastic and hilarious Yoshi ("I Survived a Japanese Game Show") and his hyper-intense sidekick Judge Masa. Produced by marblemedia, "Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!" carries a TV-G parental guideline.

"Just Kidding" returns to Disney XD with new hosts Tyrel Jackson Williams ("Lab Rats") and Jason Earles ("Kickin' It"). This duo's impeccable comedic timing keeps the laughs rolling in, and sets the stage for kid and tween pranksters who, with good-natured tricks, deliver laugh-out-loud reactions from unsuspecting bystanders. "Just Kidding" is produced in association with Juste Pour Rire Les Gags Inc. and carries a TV-Y7 parental guideline.

Fans are invited to visit DisneyXD.com/Crash starting Monday, October 21 to determine which Disney XD stars will get pranked including "Kickin' It" stars Dylan Riley Snyder and Olivia Holt; "Lab Rats" stars Billy Unger and Tyrel Jackson Williams; "Crash & Bernstein" stars Cole Jensen, Landry Bender, Oana Gregory and Aaron R. Landon; and "Mighty Med" stars Bradley Steven Perry, Jake Short, Paris Berelc and Devan Leos. Fans can also vote for Crash to cross over into the animated world of "Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja" to get Randy in on the "Pranksgiving" fun.

Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 80 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates.