Hit Animated Show "OCTONAUTS," Based On The Popular Children's Book Series, To Debut On Disney Junior Monday, January 9

"Octonauts," the BAFTA-nominated animated show for preschoolers, based on the popular children's book series of the same name, will make its U.S. debut MONDAY, JANUARY 9 (11:30 a.m., ET/PT) on Disney Junior, the daily programming block for kids age 2-7, on Disney Channel. Created by award-winning design team Vicki Wong and Michael Murphy of Meomi Design, the series follows the lively underwater adventures of Captain Barnacles Bear, Lieutenant Kwazii Cat and Medic Peso Penguin, as they explore the ocean and work to protect all of its unique sea creatures.

Produced by Silvergate Media with animation by Academy Award-nominated Brown Bag Films, the animated series made its initial debut in the UK in October 2010.

"Octonauts" introduces young viewers to exciting new underwater worlds and fascinating marine life. In each 22-minute episode, Captain Barnacles, Lieutenant Kwazii and Medic Peso receive an "octo alert," which serves as a call to action for the heroes to embark on the day's mission. With help from their extended crew -Tweak, a bunny mechanical engineer; Shellington, a marine biologist sea otter; Dashi, a dependable dog who serves as the Octonauts' official mission photographer; Professor Inkling, the Octonauts' octopus founder; and Tunip, a special breed of underwater sea creature called a vegimal - the team sets out to explore, rescue and protect their unique underwater habitat.

"Octonauts" will air weekdays at 11:30 a.m., ET/PT and weekends at 7:00 a.m., ET/PT during the Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel. The series carries a TV-Y parental guideline.