Nancy Kanter
Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide
Photos
Nancy Kanter is Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide.
Kanter is responsible for Disney Junior, the multiplatform destination for kids age 2-7 that reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. Disney Junior's programming invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for young kids. Disney Junior is available on basic cable in more than 99 million U.S. homes (via a daily block on Disney Channel) and to millions of other viewers on 30 Disney Junior channels and free-to-air broadcast partners around the world, including a Disney Junior channel in the U.S. which launched March 23, 2012.
Kanter leads the development and production of creative content for Disney Junior, unifying the creative vision and ensuring cohesiveness between programming, promotion and extensions of the brands. She also oversees strategic direction for the multiplatform Disney Junior brand on TV, digital, and radio platforms.
Kanter oversees development and production of Disney Junior's out-of-the-gate hit series "Doc McStuffins" and "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," as well as hit short-form series "Minnie's Bow-Toons," "A Poem Is...," and "Mickey Mousekercize." Kanter's upcoming programming slate for Disney Junior includes: "Sofia the First," a full length animated TV movie and series set in the storybook world of a brand new little girl princess, and "Sheriff Callie's Wild West," a western for preschoolers starring Mandy Moore as the voice of Sheriff Callie.
Kanter has held the position of Senior Vice President, Playhouse Disney Worldwide from 2008-2011. She joined Disney Channel in 2001 as Vice President, Original Programming and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Playhouse Disney U.S., in 2004. Under her leadership, the critically acclaimed Playhouse Disney creative content burgeoned on a global basis, and delivered hit series including "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Handy Manny," "Special Agent Oso," "Little Einsteins" and "Imagination Movers," as well as short-form content development, further adding dimension to the brand and platform. She also oversaw the creation of a global development and production operation for Playhouse Disney, based in London. Playhouse Disney was re-branded Disney Junior in 2011.
Prior to joining Disney Channel, Kanter was President, Bluecow.com, an internet site for children's entertainment. She was previously an executive producer for Sesame Workshop (formerly Children's Television Workshop), where she supervised the development and production of over 30 "Sesame Street" broadcast specials and direct-to-video projects, including the Emmy Award-winning "Elmo Saves Christmas."
Kanter's other experience includes producing ABC Afterschool Specials as well as film editing (for which she won an Emmy Award) and several award-winning documentary films for public television. Additionally, she served as an Adjunct Professor of Film at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY).
A native of New York, Kanter graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Theatre. She is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and has served on the Board of Governors. She currently sits on the board of the Hollywood Health & Society at USC's Annenberg School for Communication. Kanter is based in Burbank, California, at the headquarters of Disney Channels Worldwide.