• February 29, 2008

The Disney-ABC Television Group on Thursday announced the launch of Stage 9 Digital Media for creating original short-form programming.

The studio's experimental new media content will premiere with the comedy series "Squeegees" in a co-exclusive premiere on ABC.com and YouTube on February 28, 2008. The series' initial run will be sponsored by Toyota.

Producer and studio executive Barry Jossen has been named general manager of Stage 9. The studio already has an active slate of more than 20 programs in comedy, drama, animation and reality content geared toward the 18-34 demographic. "Squeegees" comes from comedy team Handsome Donkey.

The studio's roll out of new short-form programming will continue with "Voicemail 2," the second season of ABC.com's first original series.

--Gavin O'Malley