Nancy Kanter is Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channel, a post she was promoted to in October 2004. She oversees all development and production of original series and interstitial content for Playhouse Disney, the network's critically acclaimed daypart for preschoolers, their parents and caregivers.
Kanter is responsible for supervising the development of Playhouse Disney's most successful original series to date, including the top-rated "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," which is currently seen in 119 countries around the world and is available in 19 languages including Cantonese, Thai, Hindi, Finnish and Arabic; the soon to be launched "Johnny and the Sprites" starring Tony Award-nominee and "Sesame Street" veteran John Tartaglia; the recently launched "Handy Manny," which stars the voice of Wilmer Valderrama with music by Los Lobos; and other Playhouse Disney favorites such as "Little Einsteins," "Higglytown Heroes" and "JoJo's Circus." Kanter has also been instrumental in acquiring such hit series as "The Wiggles," "The Doodlebops" and "Charlie and Lola."
Kanter joined Disney Channel in February 2001 as Vice President, Original Programming. Previously, she was President, Bluecow.com, an internet site for children's entertainment. She was previously an executive producer for Sesame Workshop (formerly Children’s Television Workshop) where she supervised the development and production of over 30 Sesame Street broadcast specials and direct-to-video projects including the Emmy Award-winning "Elmo Saves Christmas."
Kanter’s other experience includes producing ABC Afterschool Specials as well as film editing (for which she won an Emmy Award) and several award-winning documentary films for public television. Additionally, Nancy served as an Adjunct Professor of Film at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY).
Kanter is a member of the Executive Committee for Children's Programming for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.