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Disney ordered 20 episodes from Dhar Mann Studios

Disney said the programming will target kids, tweens, teens, and families. Disney has not named a platform or episode format.

The Walt Disney Company announced Friday that Dhar Mann's Dhar Mann Studios will produce 20 original episodes for Disney, Tubefilter reported. Disney said the shows will target kids, tweens, teens, and families. Disney has not said whether the episodes will run on Disney+ or elsewhere, or whether they will be short-form or long-form.

Mann said in a statement that the agreement meant more to him than a standard licensing arrangement. "For me, this is so much bigger than a content deal," he said. "I grew up with Disney stories. Now I get to experience that same magic through the eyes of my own family, and the idea that we now have the opportunity to create stories for Disney for the next generation is incredibly meaningful to me."

Disney praised Mann's audience reach, saying he and his studio "have forged an extraordinary connection with their audience, and we believe their optimistic, deeply relatable storytelling will connect in a meaningful way with Disney fans." Mann's main YouTube channel counts about 28 million subscribers.

Sean Atkins, chief executive of Dhar Mann Studios, wrote on LinkedIn that two Burbank companies from different media eras were joining forces. His studio has built a direct audience of more than 170 million followers, he said, while Disney has spent generations on characters and worlds that become part of people's lives.

In January, Mann signed a separate deal with Fox Entertainment for 40 narrative microseries. He also serves as the NFL's Chief Kindness Officer.