THE SCHOOL OF FRIENDSHIP IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!  SEASON EIGHT OF MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC PREMIERES SATURDAY, MARCH 24 ON DISCOVERY FAMILY

THE SCHOOL OF FRIENDSHIP IS OFFICIALLY OPEN! SEASON EIGHT OF MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC PREMIERES SATURDAY, MARCH 24 ON DISCOVERY FAMILY

– Season Eight of “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” Picks Up Following the Events of “My Little Pony: The Movie” with New Characters and Songs Throughout 26 Magical Episodes Beginning Saturday, March 24 at 11:30a/10:30c –

(Miami, FL) – Calling everypony (and creature) in Equestria — Twilight Sparkle’s School of Friendship is in session! On Saturday, March 24 at 11:30a/10:30c, Discovery Family premieres the eighth season of MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC with 26 half hour episodes complete with seven original songs, new characters and tons of friendship! New episodes of the Hasbro Studios’ produced animated series will also stream live and on demand on Discovery Family GO, the network’s TV Everywhere app.

Following the events of “My Little Pony: The Movie,” in the back-to-back season premiere episodes titled “School Daze Part 1” and “School Daze Part 2,” the Mane 6 discovers that the Friendship Map has expanded to show the world outside Equestria. Through two exciting original songs, Twilight Sparkle learns that friendship needs to spread beyond the limits of the kingdom and decides to open her very own School of Friendship. But things come to a head when the new non-pony students ditch class on Friends and Family day, putting the entire school in jeopardy!

This season, viewers will witness major milestones featuring the introduction of Starlight Glimmer’s parents, Princess Celestia’s big acting debut and Spike’s journey to adulthood — getting his wings. Additionally, the Mane 6’s Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are accompanied by six new creatures including Ocellus the Changeling, Silverstream the Hippogriff/Seapony, Smolder the Dragon, Gallus the Griffin, Yona the Yak and Sandbar the Pony, joining them on epic adventures throughout new and familiar lands such as Mount Aris, Everfree Forest, Las Pegasus and more. Fan-favorite characters Maud Pie, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Queen Chrysalis and Discord return with exciting storylines and a whole lot of magic!

Leading up to the season eight premiere, Discovery Family celebrates all things pony by binging the most magical episodes from the past seven seasons during the PONY PALOOZA takeover beginning bright and early at 6a/5c on Saturday, March 17 and running all week long during the day up to the season premiere on Saturday, March 24 at 11:30a/10:30c. Revisit legendary moments throughout the series including the royal wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor, the crowning of Twilight Sparkle as a princess, the birth and “Crystalling” of Baby Flurry Heart, the origin of the Mane 6 cutie marks and classic guest appearances from “Weird Al” Yankovic as Cheese Sandwich, Patton Oswalt as Daring Do super fan Quibble Pants and William Shatner as Grand Pear.

Launched in 2010, MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC follows the magical Princess Twilight Sparkle and her trusted assistant Spike, who live in Ponyville in the enchanted land of Equestria, along with her colorful pony friends – honest Applejack, generous Rarity, kind Fluttershy, loyal Rainbow Dash and fun-loving

Pinkie Pie. Together, they teach one another valuable lessons about the most powerful magic of all – the magic of friendship.

MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC is produced by Hasbro Studios for Discovery Family. Stephen Davis is the executive producer for Hasbro Studios. To learn more, go towww.discoveryfamilychannel.com, on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/DiscFamily and on Twitter@DiscoveryFamily.

Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi Reveals Signature Rides in   ‘Metropolis’ and ‘Cartoon Junction’

The adventure begins with a first look at signature rides and iconic characters set to be featured in two of the park’s six immersive lands

Abu Dhabi, UAE 6 February 2018: Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi—the world’s first-ever Warner Bros. branded indoor theme park—revealed for the first time today a closer look at two of its six themed lands,Metropolis and Cartoon Junction, which will showcase signature rides, entertainment and restaurants inspired by the stories and characters from DC and Warner Bros. Animation. When it publicly debuts on Yas Island in summer 2018, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will feature a total of 29 state-of-the-art rides, interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment across six fully immersive lands including Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza.

From the super-heroic action and adrenaline-fueled adventures of DC, to the wacky and wonderful stories of Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. World will offer for the first time in the region captivating and interactive experiences that bring together some of the world’s most iconic characters and stories under one roof. As guests walk through the iconic Warner Bros. shield, they will enter a world where Super Heroes like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman fight for justice and animated stars like Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote and Scooby-Doo come to life.

Metropolis

Beyond the arches of Warner Bros. Plaza, guests will be transported to the bright, bustling and modern cityscape of Metropolis. Known as “The City of Tomorrow,” the Manhattan-like skyscraper city is protected from villains by DC Super Heroes like Superman and other members of the Justice League,including Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern,Cyborg and The Flash, in addition to the Teen Titans.

The iconic Daily Planet, Metropolis’ famed media conglomerate, is home to Superman 360: Battle for Metropolis, a pulse-pounding attraction that featuresthe Man of Steel in a riveting battle of good versus evil that will decide the fate of Metropolis. Thrill enthusiasts entering the legendary Hall of Justice, the massive headquarters of the Justice League, can hop onboard Justice League: Warworld Attacks, a thrilling dark ride that utilizes immersive media and special effects to take guests on an unforgettable ride as they team up with the Justice League to fight off invaders from another galaxy.

Other exciting attractions that Metropolis will include are Green Lantern: Galactic Odyssey, an awe-inspiring 4D “flying theatre” that transports guests across the cosmos to extraordinary worlds enriched by multi-sensory special effects, and Teen Titans Training Academy, a multi-level play area featuring a zipline and other physical activities that invite aspiring heroes to showcase their skills alongside the legendary Teen Titans.

When it comes to dining, guests can choose from Ace O’ Clubs, Bibbo Bibbowski’s quick service restaurant or Park Ridge Market, a grab-and-go café, to satisfy their hunger.

Guests can also take home a piece of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi by visiting souvenir shops such asZatanna Books & Magical Curiosities and Justice League Hero Supply. Fans can memorialize their visit to the Daily Planet at Front Page Photo, where they can appear on the front-page of the famed publication, and pick up special editions of the newspaper from the Daily Planet Newsstand.

“With the park well on track to open its doors to the public within mere months, we are incredibly excited to share our story with audiences around the world, and will be announcing the exact opening date very soon.” said Mark Gsellman, Park General Manager.

“The six different and immersive lands will seamlessly transport guests of all ages to the lands of their favorite DC Super Heroes and beloved Warner Bros. Animation characters. As guests enter Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, they’ll discover the Warner Bros. Plaza—a land inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood—to celebrate all things Warner Bros.! From there, park-goers can step through one of the many portals that lead to our other lands including Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Bedrockand Dynamite Gulch—each of which offers a unique set of experiences and authentically themed restaurants and shopping outlets.”

Cartoon Junction

Childhood memories come to life in Cartoon Junction, where guests will discover the wit and whimsy of the most iconic characters and animated stories from Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera. In a land filled with fun adventures, Tom and Jerry can be spotted getting up to their usual hijinks, while Scooby-Doo and the gang follow clues in the hunt to solve spooky mysteries. Additional animated stars like Bugs Bunny,Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester, Tasmanian Devil (Taz), Pepé Le Pew, Elmer Fudd and many others can also be found roaming around in Cartoon Junction.

Featuring nine family-friendly rides and attractions, this whimsical carefree land offers fun for both kids, and kids at heart. In the center of Cartoon Junction’s town square is the Tom and Jerry Swiss Cheese Spin, a ride where guests can experience a dizzying spinning coaster that careens them throughout the dynamic duo’s house on a fast-moving chase full of twists and turns (and cheese). On the outskirts of town, a classic haunted dark ride gets a trackless twist in Scooby-Doo: The Museum of Mysteries. Guests will hop in their very own Mystery Machines to follow Scooby and the gang as they try to untangle the silly, spooky secrets of the museum, culminating in a crazy chase reminiscent of the hijinks in the classic cartoons.

Other exciting attractions include Ani-Mayhem, an interactive dark ride that takes passengers on a rollicking mission to deliver their own cartoon chaos,Meet Bugs! (and Daffy), a one-of-a-kind walk-through experience at the vintage downtown theater where guests can join Bugs Bunny on stage, and Cartoon Junction Carousel, a colorful twist on a classic carousel. Cartoon Junction is also home to ACME Factory which features three kid-friendly rides of its own, including Ricochet Racin’ with Taz, a car ride that whips racers around a track, and Daffy’s Jet-Propelled Pogo Stick, featuring a vertical ‘jump’ tower, Tweety Wild Wockets, a fun ride that spins its passengers “awound and awound” as they try to avoid that “bad ol’ puddy tat,” Sylvester.

Hungry guests drop in at ACME Commissary, where quick service food is served with ACME flair, and those with a sweet tooth can indulge in a sweet treat at Huckleberry Hound Pies, Penelope Pitstop Cotton Candy, Daffy Snacks, or Yogi Bear and Boo Boo Ice Cream.

Fans in search of themed-souvenirs should stop at the ACME Company Store, which is dedicated to fun and playthe Looney Tunes way, and C.J. Mercantile,Cartoon Junction’s General Store located in the town’s emporium, to find souvenirs inspired by fan-favorite characters. This vibrant land is also home to the Hare Salon, a shop that celebrates Bugs Bunny’s fun disguises and Fudd Hardware, featuring Elmer Fudd‘s collection of toys and tools for kids,

Stay tuned for more exciting information on the park’s six uniquely themed lands, as well as details on the opening date and more.

DC ENTERTAINMENT REVEALS NEW YOUNG ADULT AND MIDDLE GRADE IMPRINTS: DC INK AND DC ZOOM

World Class Roster of Bestselling Authors Tapped to Pen Original Graphic Novels that Will Bring DC’s Iconic Super Heroes to a Whole New Generation of Young Readers

DC Ink and DC Zoom All-Star Talent Line-up Includes Laurie Halse Anderson, Meg Cabot, Melissa de la Cruz, Shea Fontana, Kami Garcia, Minh Lê, Marie Lu, Lauren Myracle, Michael Northrop, Danielle Paige, Ridley Pearson, Mariko Tamaki, Gene Yang, and more!

Burbank, Calif., February 5, 2018 – DC Entertainment revealed two new original graphic novel publishing imprints today, DC Ink focused on young adult (YA) readers, and DC Zoom focused on middle grade (MG) readers. Both imprints will feature a world class line-up of authors who have established YA and MG fan bases. These authors will bring their storytelling expertise to a DC Universe filled with iconic characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and many more. The first titles from DC Ink and DC Zoom will be released in Fall 2018.

“Superheroes are more popular than ever so it only makes sense to bring these DC characters to an entirely new generation of young readers,” stated Diane Nelson, president of DC Entertainment and president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “The first comic books created decades ago were for kids, and as the business evolved and matured, it became more focused on adult readers. DC Ink and DC Zoom present an exciting new opportunity to grow our publishing business and ensure beloved stories built around iconic characters like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are endeared as part of the fabric of childhood for years to come.”

“Two of the recent areas of growth in publishing include graphic novels and books for young readers – we’re bringing those formats together with DC Ink and DC Zoom,” said DC Entertainment Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee. “We’ve already experienced tremendous success with our DC Super Hero Girls graphic novels. The new DC Ink and DC Zoom slate, paired with a stellar author line-up, presents a major business growth opportunity and we couldn’t be more excited – we’re going big.”

The first titles from DC Ink include HARLEY QUINN: BREAKING GLASS by Mariko Tamaki (SUPERGIRL: BEING SUPER) with art by Steve Pugh, and MERA by Danielle Paige (DOROTHY MUST DIE series). The first title to hit shelves from DC Zoom will be DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: SEARCH FOR ATLANTIS from writer Shea Fontana and artist Yancey Labat. All three titles will go on sale in Fall 2018, with many more titles from DC Ink and DC Zoom set to follow in 2019.

Additional confirmed upcoming titles and authors for DC Ink include:

  • BATMAN: GOTHAM HIGHMelissa de la Cruz (ALEX & ELIZA, BLUE BLOODS series, WITCHES OF EAST END series)
  • BATMAN: NIGHTWALKER – THE GRAPHIC NOVEL – Marie Lu (LEGEND series)
  • TEEN TITANSKami Garcia (BEAUTIFUL CREATURES series)
  • UNDER THE MOON: A CATWOMAN TALE – Lauren Myracle (INTERNET GIRLS series, KISSING KATE)
  • WONDER WOMAN: TEMPEST TOSSED – Laurie Halse Anderson (SPEAK and CHAINS)

Additional confirmed titles and authors for DC Zoom include:

  • BATMAN TALES: ONCE UPON A CRIME – writer and artist: Derek Fridolfs, Dustin Nguyen (BATMAN: LI’L GOTHAM)
  • BATMAN: OVERDRIVE – Shea Fontana (DC SUPER HERO GIRLS series)
  • BLACK CANARY: IGNITE – Meg Cabot (THE PRINCESS DIARIES series)
  • DEAR JUSTICE LEAGUE – Michael Northrop (TOMBQUEST series)
  • GREEN LANTERN: LEGACY – Minh Lê (DRAWN TOGETHER)
  • SUPER SONSRidley Pearson (KINGDOM KEEPERS series)
  • SUPERMAN OF SMALLVILLE – writer and artist: Art Baltazar & Franco (TINY TITANS)
  • SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN – Gene Yang (AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER series, NEW SUPER-MAN), will be released as periodicals first, then collected