The next generation of “Power Rangers” are already on toy shelves all over the country, but they won’t be hitting the airwaves for a few more months.

The official start date for the 17th season of the long running children’s series is scheduled for March 7, 2009 on ABC Kids.

Disney is rebranding their “Toon Disney” network to “Disney XD” in the very near future. It’s possible that the series will premiere on that network before it makes it to ABC Kids.

I’ve always enjoyed the “Power Rangers” concept, and my daughter is very into the show. I’ve found it to be “hit and miss” sometimes on the quality level. In recent years the “Ninja Storm”, “Dino Tunder”, and “Jungle Fury” incarnations have been great, while “S.P.D.”, “Mystic Force”, and “Operation Overdrive” have been almost unwatchable.

I’m hoping RPM is like the former.