Biography
Nancy Kanter serves as executive vice president of Content and Creative Strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide, a position she assumed in 2017. She leads the content creation strategy for original live-action and animated programming aimed at children aged 2-11 on Disney Channels. Additionally, she manages the strategy for acquired content that aligns with the overall creative vision and collaborates with live-action and animation development/programming teams to attract, nurture, and retain top creative talent supporting Disney’s extensive entertainment platforms for kids and families. Kanter reports to Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide.
From 2012 to 2017, Kanter was executive vice president of Original Programming and General Manager of Disney Junior Worldwide. During her tenure, Disney Junior, a 24-hour channel, led as the top preschool network in Total Viewers, Kids 2-5, Girls 2-5, Boys 2-5, and Women 18-49 for six consecutive years (2013-2018). She was instrumental in developing acclaimed series such as the Peabody Award-winning "Doc McStuffins," the Emmy® Award-winning "Sofia the First," the Emmy-nominated "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," and popular shows like "Vampirina," "Fancy Nancy," and "Muppet Babies."
Kanter joined Disney Channel in 2001. She spearheaded the rebranding of Playhouse Disney to Disney Junior in 2011-2012, transforming it into a global brand with 36 channels broadcasting in 27 languages worldwide. She established the Disney Junior Educational Resource Group, an internal team dedicated to curriculum development and focus group research for Disney Junior content and brand extensions. Kanter also created a council of academic advisors with expertise in transmedia, storytelling, early education, language development, diversity, emotional learning, digital trends, and literacy to guide Disney Junior's educational curriculum for children aged 2-7.
Before joining Disney Channel, Kanter was president of Bluecow.com, a children’s entertainment website. She also worked as an executive producer at Sesame Workshop (formerly Children’s Television Workshop), overseeing the development and production of over 30 "Sesame Street" specials and direct-to-video projects, including the Emmy Award-winning "Elmo Saves Christmas."
Her background includes producing ABC Afterschool Specials, film editing—earning her an Emmy Award—and creating several award-winning documentary films for public television. Kanter has also served as an adjunct film professor at Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY).
A native of New York, Kanter graduated magna cum laude from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts in film and theatre. She is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and has served on its Board of Governors. Currently, she serves on the board of Hollywood Health & Society at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Kanter is based at Disney Channels Worldwide headquarters in Burbank, California.
