Disney Channel to Launch on Free to Air TV in Spain, Global First for Leading Kids Channel

Disney Channel Spain Set to Help Drive DTT Platform

London and Madrid, May 28, 2008 -- In a global first, Disney Channel Spain will launch on free Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) on Tuesday, 1 July, 2008, with the ability to reach all television viewers in Spain. The most popular kid’s channel in the country, Disney Channel debuted on pay cable in 1998 and will now launch on DTT as an ad-supported channel. It is expected to be a key driver of the adoption of Spain’s DTT platform, which will replace analogue terrestrial television and become the standard in 2010, reaching all Spanish homes. The announcement was made today at a presentation to advertisers and media in Madrid.

Beginning Tuesday, 1 July, all viewers via DTT and existing pay platforms, can access Disney Channel's hit programming for kids and families including ‘Hannah Montana’, ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’, ‘Phineas and Ferb’, ‘High School Musical’ and the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movies, ‘Camp Rock’ and ‘The Cheetah Girls One World’.

John Hardie, Executive Vice President and Managing Director Disney Channels EMEA comments, “Our goal is to deliver Disney Channel programming to the most viewers and DTT, as the technology of the future, will enable us to reach our goal."

José Vila, Vice President and General Manager, Disney Channel Spain says, “This is not just important news for Disney Channel, but for the success of DTT in Spain. There is a big call for family-appropriate content and making Disney Channel available is an incredibly attractive incentive for families to make the switch over to DTT before the official date. ”

The channel is currently leading the Pay TV market with children aged 4-12 and expects to consolidate this position. Disney Channel is the children’s channel with the highest awareness in Spain amongst both parents and children aged 8 to 12, at both 95% and 96% respectively, and is the favourite channel for over 60% of both groups.

“At the core of our success is our creative content and we're thrilled to make it widely available to kids and families in Spain,” states Gary Marsh, President, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide, who was in Spain for a presentation to advertisers and media.

Marsh continues, "We thought we'd show our clients how we approach the core of our business -- finding and developing talent -- for the series and movies that are responsible for making us a leader in television for kids and families and are the launch pad for extensions of our content, including nearly 25 million CD sales in the past two years."

Themed "The Next Big Thing," the advertiser meeting was held at Madrid's Casa Décor and led by José Vila, Vice President and General Manager, Disney Channel in Spain, alongside Gary Marsh, President, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide, and Eduardo Olano, Managing Director, Atres Advertising.

Disney's presentation was highlighted by a musical performance from 15-year-old singer/songwriter/actress Demi Lovato, star of the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movies ‘Camp Rock’ (along with the Platinum-selling rockers Jonas Brothers) and ‘Princess Protection Program’ (with Selena Gomez of Disney Channel's ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’). Lovato is already known to Disney Channel viewers as the star of the hit sitcom shorts, ‘As the Bell Rings.’ ‘Camp Rock’ will premiere in an unprecedented multiplatform roll-out in the U.S. and in September on Disney Channel Spain. ‘Princess Protection Program’ is scheduled to premiere during the 2008-09 season.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. There are 27 Disney Channels around the world. Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

Source: Disney Channel

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