Disney Publishing Worldwide, in collaboration with its siblings in the Disney corporate family, ABC Audio and Walt Disney Animation Studios, is launching a podcast based on the hit Frozen films, marking the company’s inaugural audio-first storytelling extension for any Walt Disney animated franchise. The launch date for the 12-episode first season of the podcast, Disney 'Frozen' Podcast: Forces of Nature Presented by Macy’s, will be in October 2023 and will feature two episodes.
“The Disney 'Frozen' Podcast is an expansive endeavor made possible through deep collaboration with creative teams across our company,” said Lynn Waggoner, v-p of global publishing, franchise content, and creative, in a statement.
The podcast, which is a standalone story with themes of science and the environment that takes place after the events of Frozen 2, introduces four new characters. They include Queen Disa, who joins Anna and Elsa on their adventure; Lord Wolfgang, nephew of Frozen antagonist the Duke of Weselton; and the magpies Astrid and Magnus. ABC News chief meteorologist Ginger Zee, who hosted ABC Audio’s Inside Frozen 2 podcast, is a voice presenter within the series, which will be promoted with a visual trailer and audio clips. DPW also has a book based on the Disney 'Frozen' Podcast planned for the fall.
Audio programming, including podcasts, have been on the upswing in the kids’ entertainment space as parents and caregivers look for ways to engage their families off the screen. Properties such as Peppa Pig, Sesame Street, Arthur, and American Girl are among those that have been featured in original podcast storytelling for young fans.
Edison Research and Kids Listen’s latest Kids Podcast Listener Report found that 63% of children aged 6-12 are aware of podcasts, 46% have listened to a podcast, 29% have listened in the last month, and 23% have listened in the last week. Of monthly listeners aged 6-12, 25% listen to a podcast nearly every day.
The new Frozen podcast is being released as Disney approaches the 10th anniversary of the November 17, 2013, release of the first film. The milestone will be an occasion for new book releases, including All is Found: The Frozen Anthology, which will include 10 original stories, each by a different author.
