LONDON, May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- Disney Channel Grows CEE Distribution to 12 Million Households With Launches in Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria-

The Walt Disney Company today announced that it will re-brand its Jetix channels in five Central and Eastern European countries to become Disney Channel, the world's leading kids TV brand. Kid-driven, family inclusive Disney Channel is set to launch later this year in Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria, increasing the channel's distribution to 12 million households in the CEE region. Disney Channel will be localised for the market with programming dubbed in local languages.

Disney Channel series joined the Jetix CEE schedule last year and have helped strengthen the channel's position. In just two months following the series debut in Hungary, Disney's Hannah Montana and Phineas and Ferb attracted an additional 391,000 viewers*, and propelled Jetix from #3 to #1 kids' channel. The first Disney Channel launch in CEE also proved successful, the channel began broadcasting in Poland in December 2007 and has since doubled its reach to become the country's #1 kids' channel.

Giorgio Stock, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Disney Channels EMEA, comments: "CEE is a key market for The Walt Disney Company and launching Disney Channel is central to the company's strategic growth plan in the region. The performance of Disney Channel in Poland and the huge impact of the channel's content on Jetix have proven the demand for its kid-driven, family inclusive programming. We look forward to leveraging this demand, the power of the Disney brand and synergies with other Disney businesses to become the undisputed leader in the kids' TV market."

Targeted at two distinct age groups, kids aged 2 to 5 and kids aged 6 to 14 and their families, Disney Channel will offer CEE viewers a compelling mix of programming including live action favourites Hannah Montana, the hit animated series Phineas and Ferb and Disney Channel Original Movies High School Musical and Camp Rock. The channel will also feature a daily Playhouse Disney programming block with a range of entertaining, learning-focused programming for preschoolers, including global hits Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Handy Manny.

Disney Channel Worldwide represents the most successful portfolio of kids' channels in the world with 98 channels and/or channel feeds available in 167 countries and in 32 languages. In 2008, Disney Channel ranked as the # 1 kids' channel in 17 countries/territories including Poland in Central and Eastern Europe. Disney Channel properties continue to rapidly expand into new markets across the world, playing a key role in introducing the Disney brand to new consumers.

Notes to editors:

*Source: AGB Hungary, Cab/Sat Homes - April 08 vs July 08 - individuals 4+

About Disney Channel:

Disney Channels Worldwide is a portfolio of 98 kid-driven, family inclusive entertainment channels and/or channel feeds available in 167 countries in 32 languages, spanning Disney Channel, Disney XD, Toon Disney, Playhouse Disney, Disney Cinemagic, Hungama, GXT, Jetix and Radio Disney brands. Through cable, satellite and digital terrestrial television channels and a strategic partnership with Disney-ABC-ESPN Television for the third-party distribution of Disney-branded kids' programming across the globe, Disney branded content reaches hundreds of millions of viewers around the world.

About Jetix:

Jetix Europe is majority-owned by The Walt Disney Company. It is one of the leading European kids' entertainment companies with localised television channels, programme distribution and consumer products businesses in Europe and the Middle East.

Jetix Europe's 14 Jetix television channels deliver a unique combination of comedy and action for kids aged 6-14, in 58 countries and 19 languages, reaching over 52 million households. In addition the company runs GXT, a pay-TV channel in Italy targeting teenage boys.

Jetix Europe is part of the global Jetix kids' entertainment alliance launched by Jetix Europe and The Walt Disney Company in 2004. Disney-ABC-ESPN Television services the distribution of Jetix channels in Europe and the Middle East, as well as its programming to free TV platforms.

    For further information, please contact:
    Joss Hastings at Disney Channel
    Tel: +44(0)208-636-4544
    Email: joss.hastings@disney.com

SOURCE The Walt Disney Company Ltd

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