Disney Channels Launch in Four Asian Markets Within Six Months

Disney Channels Launch in Four Asian Markets Within Six Months

Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel Now in Cambodia

SINGAPORE, June 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Walt Disney Television International (South East Asia/Korea) (a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, NYSE: DIS) announced the launch of Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel into Cambodia today, making it the fourth Asian market within six months to have launched Disney channels -- this after launching into Palau, Thailand and most recently, Vietnam. The announcement was made by WDTVI (SEA/Korea) Managing Director Raymund Miranda. The deal also announced the appointment of Cambodia Entertainment Production Co. Ltd. as the distributor of both channels into Cambodia.

Nicky Parkinson, senior vice president and managing director of Walt Disney Television International Branded TV (Asia Pacific): "Disney's expansion in Asia continues with the entry of Disney Channels into Cambodia this month. The rapid growth of our pay-TV presence into four markets within six months signifies our unwavering commitment to deliver quality Disney family entertainment to the region."

Raymund Miranda, managing director of Walt Disney Television International (Southeast Asia/Korea): "The Walt Disney Company has identified international growth as one of its key strategic initiatives in the years to come. With the dramatic potential of Asia, it was important for us to build an entry vehicle for our brand in as many countries as possible. Cambodia adds to that process for this phase of our business."

Cambodia becomes the 11th market in the Asia Pacific region that shares its Asian Disney Channel regional feed and the ninth market in Asia to carry its Playhouse Disney Channel feed.

Disney launched its first channel outside of the US in 1995 with the launch of Disney Channel Taiwan in March of that year. Since then, its Asian footprint has grown into four Disney Channel feeds into Taiwan, Australia/New Zealand, South East Asia/Korea and India. Disney also launched Playhouse Disney Channel, its second channel brand, in April 2004. Toon Disney, its third channel brand, debuted into India last December.

To date, Disney Channels are now in 15 markets in the Asia Pacific region. Playhouse Disney Channel is in nine markets while Toon Disney is in one. Disney broadcasts its feeds in 6 languages and 5 subtitle tracks.

Disney Channel is the most watched pay-TV kids channel in the region where it ranked first among kids viewers in markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand where cable/satellite TV ratings are available. Playhouse Disney programming blocks on Disney Channel regularly win their timeslots versus other cable/satellite channels in the region among young children. Disney branded shows consistently win their timeslots among children viewers.

On terrestrial television, Disney has continued its long standing tradition of Disney Clubs and Disney branded programming blocks in multiple markets. To date, Disney branded blocks are available in 11 markets in the Asia Pacific broadcasting over 60 hours of Disney programming every week to over 380 million households.

About Walt Disney Television International (Asia-Pacific)

Walt Disney Television International -- Asia Pacific (WDTVI-AP) is responsible for all of The Walt Disney Company's (NYSE:DIS) free and pay television activities across the Asia Pacific region (excluding Japan). These activities include branded and non-branded program distribution through Buena Vista International Television -- Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), as well as production, broadcasting, development and management of Disney Channels and other media investments.

Disney Branded Television oversees WDTVI-AP's pay TV channels such as Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel now seen in 15 countries/territories region-wide, as well as Disney Clubs and Disney branded programming blocks on free-to-air networks, reaching more than 380 million households in the region.

For programming information, log on to www.disneychannel-asia.com for Disney Channel and www.playhousedisneychannel-asia.com for Playhouse Disney Channel.

For more information, please contact:

Mai Tatoy Walt Disney TV International (Southeast Asia/Korea) Tel: +65-65489287 Email: mai.tatoy@disney.com

Web sites: http://www.disneychannel-asia.com http://www.playhousedisneychannel-asia.com

Source: Walt Disney Television International

CONTACT: Mai Tatoy of Walt Disney TV International (Southeast Asia/Korea), +65-65489287, or mai.tatoy@disney.com

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