ITV

Category: Kids

  • Nick US’ education network Noggin celebrates 10 years of ‘Blues Clues’

    MUMBAI: US kids channel Nickelodeon has announced that Noggin its commercial-free, educational network for preschoolers goes ‘Blue‘ this month.


    The network invites American kids and their families to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Blue’s Clues a show that the broadcaster says changed the way preschoolers watch television.


    Throughout this month Noggin will pay tribute to the blue puppy with Blue’s Clues-themed activities at Club Noggin in General Growth (GGP) malls across the US. In addition to appearances by series host ‘Joe‘ (Donovan Patton) in select malls. Noggin will also kick off a month-long on-air celebration of Blue’s Clues with a ‘Red, White and Blue‘ marathon on independence Day 4 July 2006.


    The Club Noggin celebration will lead up to the August anniversary of Blue’s Clues, when Nick Jr. and Noggins will introduce viewers to a new character — Blue’s new brother — on the hour-long movie Meet Blue’s Baby Brother on 6 August on Nickelodeon.


    For the first time, the special melds the two worlds of Joe and the classic animated world of Blue’s Clues with the puppets on Blue’s Room. Meet Blue’s Baby Brother will feature a game of Gold Clues as preschoolers help search for Blue’s baby brother and share another milestone with their favourite blue puppy.


    Blue’s Clues will take over Club Noggin, the network’s interactive educational in-mall experience for preschoolers and their parents. Participating malls will present special Blue’s Clues-themed activities throughout the month of July. Club Noggin reaches consumers in 78 GGP malls across the US. Blue’s Clues host Donovan Patton is scheduled to appear for “meet and greets” and book readings in New York, Chicago, San Jose, Houston and Dallas. Throughout July, GGP and NOGGIN will also launch “Club NOGGIN On the Go!” a take-away extension of Club NOGGIN’s in-mall experience for parents to help entertain and educate their kids wherever they are.


    Club Noggin’s Blue’s Clues educational curriculum will focus on themes from the hit series including:


    Letters: Activity to feature the Blue’s Clues book “Alphabet Power”


    Numbers: Activity to feature a Blue’s Clues video clip with a corresponding lesson


    Shapes: Activity to feature an arts and crafts project — build a sailboat — which mirrors a lesson on Meet Blue’s Baby Brother


    Colors: Coloring activity based on Meet Blue’s Baby Brother


    The earlier mentioned Red, White and Blue on-air marathon will feature the following Blue’s Clues milestones: the three-part special Meet Joe where Steve goes to college and viewers are introduced to new host Joe, the half-hour special Legend of the Blue Puppy where Blue talks for the very first time; Blue’s 100th Episode Celebration a retrospective look at the first five seasons with Steve, Joe and Blue; and the 90-minute movie Blue’s Big Musical.

  • Nick US continues building on leadership position













    MUMBAI: US kids channel Nickelodeon says that its in the top spot for the 11th consecutive year.


    The channel says that it led basic cable as the top-rated network within the total programming day for the second quarter of the year i.e. 27 March to 25 June among total viewers and across all kids‘ demos, according to Nielsen Media Research.



    In addition, the network grew double digits in its multiple media offerings — including Nick.com and Nickjr.com from year-to-year, and video-on-demand — and excelled on its broadband, online gaming platforms.



    Among the network‘s primary demo of kids 2-11, the network posted a 3.8/1.3 million K2-11, up three per cent over second quarter 2005, and 81 per cent ahead of Cartoon Network (2.1/675,000 K2-11) and 52 per cent ahead of Disney (2.5/801,000 K2-11). With preschoolers, the network also ranked first, averaging a 4.5/560,000 K2-5, up 10 per cent over last year‘s like time period, ahead of Cartoon Network by 137 per cent (1.9/237,000 K2-5) and 73 per cent versus Disney Channel (2.6/326,000 K2-5).


    However among tweens 9-14, Nickelodeon remained flat for the quarter, earning a 2.5/526,000 T9-14. It still beat its competition by double digits. Among kids 6-11, Nick is up more than one rating point above its closest competitor (Nick earned a 3.5 rating while The Disney Channel averaged a 2.4 rating), equating to a 46 per cent lead.



    Nickelodeon adds that it was the only major kid network that posted year to year gains among the preschool (kids 2-5) audience. During its Nick Jr. block (Monday – Friday 9 am – 2 pm), then net beat kid competitors Disney Channel and Cartoon Network by 187 per cent and 196 per cent respectively.


    Nick Jr. maintains the top seven out of 10 preschool programmes on commercial TV. These were Go, Diego, Go! , Dora the Explorer, The Wonder Pets, Blue‘s Clues, The Backyardigans, LazyTown and Miss Spider.



    Contributing to the Nickelodeon‘s quarter-to-quarter growth, were several large events including Nickelodeon‘s 19th Annual Kids‘ Choice Awards (KCAs). This year‘s KCAs garnered an average of 3.2 million kids. In its first ever simulcast on TurboNick – a first in awards show history — the KCAs drove Nick.com to a high traffic day of more than 1.2 million unique visitors. Fairy Idol, a one-hour special based on Nick‘s The Fairly OddParents, also hit high numbers drawing more than five million total viewers and more than three million kids.



    As Nickelodeon continues to build its leadership in new and emerging media platforms, it has increased usership on multiple media platforms in the kids‘ space, particularly with its broadband platforms, TurboNick and Nick Jr. Video, and its online sites, Nick.com and Nickjr.com.



    — TurboNick, Nickelodeon‘s broadband video service on Nick.com, generated 63.2 million streams in second quarter 2006, up +46 per cent over first quarter 2006. It broke its record for the highest monthly streams with more than 28 million streams in June 2006, a 33 per cent increase from May 2006.



    — Nick Jr. Video, Nick Jr.‘s broadband video service on Nickjr.com, garnered more than 27 million content streams in second quarter 2006. Nick Jr. Video is rapidly approaching its 100th million stream since its launch in August 2005.



    — Nick Jr. Parents TV, the networks broadband service geared towards parents, generated almost 14.5 million streams for second quarter 2006, up +14 per cent versus first quarter 2006.



    — For the quarter, Nick.com averaged almost 14 million unique monthly visitors, which is a 67 per cent increase versus first quarter 2006. In May, Nick.com attracted more than 14.5 million unique marking the site‘s best month ever.



    — Nick.com has also had more than 231 million game plays on the site this quarter, and Nickjr.com raked in 183 million game plays, up 69 per cent and 88 per cent respectively over second quarter 2005. Danny Phantom: Freak For All was the number-one game for the quarter recording 7.6 million game plays on Nick.com, while Dora‘s Puppy Adventure was number-one on Nickjr.com recording 11.4 million game plays in second quarter.

  • Nick US continues building on leadership position

    Nick US continues building on leadership position

    MUMBAI: US kids channel Nickelodeon says that its in the top spot for the 11th consecutive year.

    The channel says that it led basic cable as the top-rated network within the total programming day for the second quarter of the year i.e. 27 March to 25 June among total viewers and across all kids’ demos, according to Nielsen Media Research.

    In addition, the network grew double digits in its multiple media offerings — including Nick.com and Nickjr.com from year-to-year, and video-on-demand — and excelled on its broadband, online gaming platforms.

    Among the network’s primary demo of kids 2-11, the network posted a 3.8/1.3 million K2-11, up three per cent over second quarter 2005, and 81 per cent ahead of Cartoon Network (2.1/675,000 K2-11) and 52 per cent ahead of Disney (2.5/801,000 K2-11). With preschoolers, the network also ranked first, averaging a 4.5/560,000 K2-5, up 10 per cent over last year’s like time period, ahead of Cartoon Network by 137 per cent (1.9/237,000 K2-5) and 73 per cent versus Disney Channel (2.6/326,000 K2-5).

    However among tweens 9-14, Nickelodeon remained flat for the quarter, earning a 2.5/526,000 T9-14. It still beat its competition by double digits. Among kids 6-11, Nick is up more than one rating point above its closest competitor (Nick earned a 3.5 rating while The Disney Channel averaged a 2.4 rating), equating to a 46 per cent lead.

    Nickelodeon adds that it was the only major kid network that posted year to year gains among the preschool (kids 2-5) audience. During its Nick Jr. block (Monday – Friday 9 am – 2 pm), then net beat kid competitors Disney Channel and Cartoon Network by 187 per cent and 196 per cent respectively.

    Nick Jr. maintains the top seven out of 10 preschool programmes on commercial TV. These were Go, Diego, Go! , Dora the Explorer, The Wonder Pets, Blue’s Clues, The Backyardigans, LazyTown and Miss Spider.

    Contributing to the Nickelodeon’s quarter-to-quarter growth, were several large events including Nickelodeon’s 19th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards (KCAs). This year’s KCAs garnered an average of 3.2 million kids. In its first ever simulcast on TurboNick – a first in awards show history — the KCAs drove Nick.com to a high traffic day of more than 1.2 million unique visitors. Fairy Idol, a one-hour special based on Nick’s The Fairly OddParents, also hit high numbers drawing more than five million total viewers and more than three million kids.

    As Nickelodeon continues to build its leadership in new and emerging media platforms, it has increased usership on multiple media platforms in the kids’ space, particularly with its broadband platforms, TurboNick and Nick Jr. Video, and its online sites, Nick.com and Nickjr.com.

    — TurboNick, Nickelodeon’s broadband video service on Nick.com, generated 63.2 million streams in second quarter 2006, up +46 per cent over first quarter 2006. It broke its record for the highest monthly streams with more than 28 million streams in June 2006, a 33 per cent increase from May 2006.

    — Nick Jr. Video, Nick Jr.’s broadband video service on Nickjr.com, garnered more than 27 million content streams in second quarter 2006. Nick Jr. Video is rapidly approaching its 100th million stream since its launch in August 2005.

    — Nick Jr. Parents TV, the networks broadband service geared towards parents, generated almost 14.5 million streams for second quarter 2006, up +14 per cent versus first quarter 2006.

    — For the quarter, Nick.com averaged almost 14 million unique monthly visitors, which is a 67 per cent increase versus first quarter 2006. In May, Nick.com attracted more than 14.5 million unique marking the site’s best month ever.

    — Nick.com has also had more than 231 million game plays on the site this quarter, and Nickjr.com raked in 183 million game plays, up 69 per cent and 88 per cent respectively over second quarter 2005. Danny Phantom: Freak For All was the number-one game for the quarter recording 7.6 million game plays on Nick.com, while Dora’s Puppy Adventure was number-one on Nickjr.com recording 11.4 million game plays in second quarter.

  • Hungama TV ad revenues rise 30 – 40%

    Hungama TV ad revenues rise 30 – 40%

    MUMBAI: Ups and downs are a part of each and every one’s life and such is also the case with Hungama TV. While a couple of months back the channel rocketed into the second position in the kids channels’ space; Harry Potter on Pogo proved a dampener for Hungama TV and thus it plummeted to the third position yet again.

    Nevertheless, driver shows for Hungama TV have been performing well and thus managed to increase the channel’s share.

    With a positive move on the channel share front, the ad revenues of Hungama TV have also increased by 30-40 per cent. “Since the TRPs of the channel have shown a steady hike, clients have also appreciated it and are willing to pay more. All credit goes to Nilofer and her team for this,” says Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta.

    But notwithstanding that, Mehta is confident that the channel will clamber up again riding on the success of the ratings raker Doremon and the new season of Hero, which has opened well for the channel. Add to that the hype that will be built around the channel’s talent hunt for kids – John Aur Kaun?

    The channel has also lined up big ticket movies like Baby’s Day Out and Tom Hanks starrer Big in August and September. What’s more, Doremon has been joined by another popular Japanese animation show Shin Chan, which Mehta hopes is going to be as accepted by kids as is Doremon. Shin Chan has garnered huge popularity in Europe, Latin America and the Far East. The show was launched on 19 June at 5 pm and will be aired from Monday to Friday.

    “Shin Chan, like Doremon, is one of the top three shows in the Asian region. Shin Chan’s innocence and antics form a deadly mix designed to give entire families a wonderful time. We welcome Shin Chan to the Hungama family of fabulous, memorable characters, which include Hero, Sanya, Doremon, Kochikame and YuGiOh!” says Mehta.

    Driver shows like the above mentioned Hero and Doremon coupled with the UTV show Shakalaka Boom Boom have constantly managed to push Hungama TV up on the popularity charts. Hungama TV has also rolled out a contest around Shakalaka Boom Boom called – Right here, Right now – wherein kids can participate and get to know whether they have won or not immediately, while the show is airing.

    “All they have to do is answer a question that will be flashed on the channel and SMS their replies with their name, age and phone number to us. The name of the first person who sends in the correct reply will be flashed immediately on the channel. We will be giving away Doremon and Hero merchandise and also Hungama TV bags to the winners,” says Mehta.

    The channel share of Hungama has been steadily rising, thus beating the norm where other kids’ channels’ shares have been falling barring that of Toon Disney.

    In the week beginning 21 May, Cartoon Network’s share was 30.8 per cent, which fell to 27.1 per cent in the week beginning 11 June 2006, according to Tam, in the C&S 4-14 years Hindi speaking markets. Pogo’s shares, on the other hand, fell from 26.2 per cent to 25.9 per cent in the above mentioned period.

    Hungama TV’s shares in the week beginning 21 May was 17.8 per cent and touched a high of 20.3 per cent in the week beginning 11 June in the C&S 4-14 years Hindi speaking markets. Toon Disney, which had a share of seven per cent as of 21 May, also managed to raise the bar with a channel share of 10.8 per cent in the second week of June, whereas its sibling Disney Channel lost one per cent share to settle at 11.2 per cent in the second week of June.

    While Pogo and Cartoon Network shows like Mr Bean, Tiny TV – Make Way for Noddy, Baby Looney Tunes, Toonami – Pokemon and Half Ticket Express – Dragon Tales rule the roost of the TRP front, Hungama TV shows like Doremon, Hero and Shakalaka Boom Boom topped on the GRP front.

    While Doremon managed GRPs of 47 in week 24, Hero and Shakalaka Boom Boom got GRPs of 26 and 24 respectively.

    It remains to be seen, who takes the cake in the number game, but for the time being, Mehta seems to be content with Hungama TV’s performance.

  • Disney Online to offer public libraries free access to Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online

    Disney Online to offer public libraries free access to Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online

    MUMBAI: Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG), will offer public libraries free subscriptions to Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online, a safe, ad-free interactive learning experience for preschoolers.

    Disney Online will offer this service, normally a $49.95 annual subscription fee, beginning 24 June 2006 at the American Library Association conference.

    Developed in conjunction with education experts, Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online offers entertaining, story-driven games and activities that teach skills in crucial areas such as letter and number recognition, shape and color identification and counting.

    “Librarians often play a significant role in helping preschool-age children prepare for kindergarten. Resources that support early learning are valuable and allow parents and children to work together,” said Teachers College Columbia University professor and Education for the 21st Century president Renee Cherow O’Leary.

    Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online is hosted by “Bear” from Disney Channel’s Bear in the Big Blue House. Bear and other Disney characters lead activities that focus on eight key skill areas including reading readiness, thinking skills, daily living skills, social skills, imagination and self-expression, motor skills and computer skills. Lessons automatically adjust to each individual child’s skill level, keeping preschoolers engaged and challenged. New content is introduced every two weeks, letting each child continue to advance at his or her natural pace.

    “We’re very pleased to be able to offer Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online free to public libraries. We believe the public library is a perfect fit for the fun learning offered in Preschool Time Online, especially for guests who may not have easy access to a broadband connection elsewhere,” said Disney Online vice president of premium products Steve Parkis.

  • Disney taps former P&G’s John E. Pepper as chairman

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company has elected independent Disney director and former Procter & Gamble chairman and CEO John E. Pepper, Jr., to serve as non-executive chairman of the board with effect from 1 January 2007.


    Pepper will succeed Senator George J. Mitchell, who has served as Disney chairman since March 2004.


    Last December, the Disney Board of Directors requested that Senator Mitchell postpone his planned retirement at the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders and stand for re-election to facilitate an orderly chairman succession process. With the selection of his successor as chairman now in place, Senator Mitchell will step down and retire from the board on 31 December 2006.


    “Since joining the Disney Board, John has quickly immersed himself in our business and shared his broad and deep expertise in corporate management, global brand building and leadership development. In John‘s leadership of the board, Disney‘s shareholders will benefit from his notable record of success in leading and growing one of the world‘s largest consumer products companies. He is a man of great integrity and we all look forward to working with him in his new role,” said The Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert A. Iger.


    “I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Senator Mitchell for many years, both as a director and as chairman. He is an extraordinary leader with numerous and significant accomplishments both nationally and internationally. The Walt Disney Company has benefited greatly from George‘s wisdom and leadership, and I am deeply appreciative of having him as our chairman during my first year as CEO,” he added.


    Senator Mitchell stated, “During the past year, the board undertook a very thoughtful and deliberative approach to the chairman succession process. With the election of John as chairman, Disney will benefit from his outstanding leadership skills and unique experience in cultivating global brands. It has been a true privilege for me to serve the shareholders of Disney and we will now begin a smooth transition with John.”


    Pepper said, “I am incredibly honoured to be elected the next chairman of the world‘s preeminent entertainment company. The board recognises the trust investors have placed in us with respect to corporate governance and long term shareholder value creation. I look forward to continuing my close collaboration with the directors and senior management as the company takes full advantage of the significant and exciting opportunities before us to grow and build our brands and businesses worldwide.”

  • Disney taps former P&G’s John E. Pepper as chairman

    Disney taps former P&G’s John E. Pepper as chairman

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company has elected independent Disney director and former Procter & Gamble chairman and CEO John E. Pepper, Jr., to serve as non-executive chairman of the board with effect from 1 January 2007.

    Pepper will succeed Senator George J. Mitchell, who has served as Disney chairman since March 2004.

    Last December, the Disney Board of Directors requested that Senator Mitchell postpone his planned retirement at the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders and stand for re-election to facilitate an orderly chairman succession process. With the selection of his successor as chairman now in place, Senator Mitchell will step down and retire from the board on 31 December 2006.

    “Since joining the Disney Board, John has quickly immersed himself in our business and shared his broad and deep expertise in corporate management, global brand building and leadership development. In John’s leadership of the board, Disney’s shareholders will benefit from his notable record of success in leading and growing one of the world’s largest consumer products companies. He is a man of great integrity and we all look forward to working with him in his new role,” said The Walt Disney Company president and CEO c.

    “I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Senator Mitchell for many years, both as a director and as chairman. He is an extraordinary leader with numerous and significant accomplishments both nationally and internationally. The Walt Disney Company has benefited greatly from George’s wisdom and leadership, and I am deeply appreciative of having him as our chairman during my first year as CEO,” he added.

    Senator Mitchell stated, “During the past year, the board undertook a very thoughtful and deliberative approach to the chairman succession process. With the election of John as chairman, Disney will benefit from his outstanding leadership skills and unique experience in cultivating global brands. It has been a true privilege for me to serve the shareholders of Disney and we will now begin a smooth transition with John.”

    Pepper said, “I am incredibly honoured to be elected the next chairman of the world’s preeminent entertainment company. The board recognises the trust investors have placed in us with respect to corporate governance and long term shareholder value creation. I look forward to continuing my close collaboration with the directors and senior management as the company takes full advantage of the significant and exciting opportunities before us to grow and build our brands and businesses worldwide.”

  • DIC Entertainment & AOL partner to create strategic TV & online programming block

    MUMBAI: DIC Entertainment (DIC), an independent global brand management company based in the US, and AOL online kids destination, KOL, have formed a partnership to co-produce a new Saturday morning branded programming block, KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS, which will premiere 16 September 2006.


    DIC and KOL will also develop online and on-air co-production initiatives in conjunction with the block. DIC and KOL are also now in development on programs for the 2007 season, informs an official release.


    As per the agreement, KOL and DIC will co-produce programming for the 2006 broadcast season, including the new television series Dance Revolution. This series is inspired by Konami‘s hit video game franchise Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). The new dance competition series will be hosted by Radio KOL DJ Rick Adams, who will also continue to maintain his live online radio show for kids available on KOL.


    In addition, KOL and DIC will develop a website designed to transform the programs airing on KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS into a comprehensive and interactive experience for kids. KOL will also offer special online programming including games, program clips, behind-the-scenes features and more to drive on-air viewership.


    Dance Revolution and the online activities will support the schedule of programming debuting this fall on the E/I compliant branded block. Other programming on the Saturday Morning line-up includes Cake, Horseland, The Animated Trollz and Madeline.


    Additionally, KOL will create public service announcements on healthy eating, to air during the block and online utilizing KOL‘s popular original animated character Princess Natasha, adds the release.


    DIC will seek initial guidance on all programming to air on the KOL‘s Saturday Morning Secret Slumber Party on CBS, from children‘s experts from the DIC Educational Advisory Board — a group comprised of leading media experts, educators and pediatricians created to provide information, guidance, advice and general expertise to DIC in the development of multimedia programs and projects for children.


    “With AOL‘s expertise in developing online programming and our success in building brands such as ‘Princess Natasha‘ and Radio KOL, appealing to millions of kids, we are confident that this landmark partnership with DIC will be a tremendous success,” says AOL Kids & Teens SVP Malcolm Bird. “Once again, AOL is leading the industry by building another initiative that taps the power of television and the online medium to ultimately grow a larger audience across both platforms.”


    “Kids today continue to expand their entertainment options beyond television, and our new partnership with KOL will provide us with a tremendous opportunity to reach kids through the launch of the new Saturday morning programming block on CBS as well as through KOL‘s growing online destination,” comments DIC Entertainment chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. “We are thrilled to work with KOL to co-produce innovative programming and to create a unique cross-promotional program that will drive kids online; increase on-air viewership and provide our clients with an effective way to reach kids in a progressive safe environment.”

  • Disney Records celebrates 50 years; unveils classics on iTunes, ‘The Music Behind the Magic’ CD & exhibition

    Disney Records celebrates 50 years; unveils classics on iTunes, ‘The Music Behind the Magic’ CD & exhibition

    MUMBAI: In celebration of the 50th anniversary, Walt Disney Records has lined up a preservation and restoration process for the label’s earliest classic recordings and an archival CD collection and exhibition titled The Music Behind the Magic.

    As part of this celebration, the label will begin releasing these restored titles and will be available through digital outlets, including iTunes, marking the release of Disneyland and Buena Vista records. The vast quantity of archive song material consists of classic Disney songs, original material performed by popular artists of the day and movie soundtracks. These songs will be digitally restored beyond the sonic brilliance of the original masters, allowing them to sound better than they did when they were first issued nearly 50 years ago, informs an official release.

    Walt Disney Records’ The Archive Collection is a special iTunes digital-only release featuring 50 WDR recordings from a wide range of artists including, Cliff Edwards (voice of Jiminy Cricket), Mary Martin, Hayley Mills, Burl Ives, Louis Prima, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Armstrong, Little Richard, Peter Frampton, They Might Be Giants, The Cheetah Girls and many more. The Archive Collection will be available on iTunes beginning November 7.

    In addition to the digital releases, the label will also unveil a special two disc commemorative edition, Disney’s The Music Behind the Magic. The collection highlights 50 of the most loved musical classics from movies, television shows, theme parks, Broadway musicals and unique WDR recordings.

    These will include, Some Day My Prince Will Come from Snow White (first soundtrack), When You Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio (theme song for TWDC), The Ballad of Davy Crockett (first single from a television show), Tall Paul by Annette Funicello (the label’s first teen sensation), tracks from Mary Poppins (album held the #1 position on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart for 14 weeks) and Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King (soundtrack earned WDR its first Diamond Award from the RIAA, certifying sales of 10 million units), adds the release.

    The 50th anniversary celebration will continue as Walt Disney Records’ and The Walt Disney Company’s legacy is brought to life with an exhibit, also titled Disney: The Music Behind the Magic. Opening 5 November, the exhibit will be housed at Seattle’s Experience Music Project (EMP) for one year before traveling to cities across the U.S. and around the world.

    Disney: The Music Behind the Magic claims to be the first comprehensive exhibit devoted to exploring and examining the role music has played in The Walt Disney Company’s successes and its cultural impact over the past 80 years.

    “There is no other record label in the history of the industry with as diverse and eclectic a catalog as Walt Disney Records,” said Walt Disney Records Sr vice president/general manager Robert Marick. “Our catalog is comprised of 15,000 recordings including releases from a variety of superstars from every era — from Louis Armstrong to Peggy Lee to Annette Funicello and Christina Aguilera.”

    Marick adds, “Music has always played an integral role in the success of all facets of The Walt Disney Company. The Experience Music Project exhibit captures, for the very first time, the lasting legacy and impact Disney has made in the music industry and pop culture around the world. The exhibit, along with our catalog preservation efforts, Commemorative Edition two-disc release and Billboard Tribute Issue are terrific ways to celebrate the label’s 50th Anniversary.”

    Since its launch as Disneyland Records by Walt and Roy Disney in 1956, the label has earned more than 275 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards from the R.I.A.A., 22 Grammys and 18 Academy Awards. The label started as an extension of The Walt Disney Company’s film, television and theme park projects. Well-known offerings such as High School Musical (3x platinum), the Disneymania franchise (3 million units), The Lion King franchise (15+ million units) and Mary Poppins (3x platinum) showcase the enduring popularity of WDR’s catalog, with several releases ranking among the top-selling singles and soundtracks of all time.

    Details of the label’s contribution to the music industry and The Walt Disney Company for its 50th celebration will be featured in the forthcoming Billboard Magazine Tribute issue, on sale 4 November.

  • Disney channels now available on Thailand’s True IPTV

    Disney channels now available on Thailand’s True IPTV

    MUMBAI: : A partnership deal has been signed between Walt Disney Television International (Southeast Asia) and True Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd. to make Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel available on True IPTV, slated to start this month.

    True IPTV Thailand’s Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) provider, is a pay-TV service with an ‘a la carte’ pricing model. It is available to viewers at a monthly subscription of Baht120 (US$3) for each of the commercial-free Disney channels, informs an official release.

    Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) Senior VP and MD Nicky Parkinson said, “It has been Disney’s strategic focus to develop compelling content and utilize leading-edge technologies in response to consumer demands of getting quality entertainment experiences in the most relevant way. IPTV is anticipated to be a major entertainment platform in Thailand and we are extremely excited to work with True, an innovative industry player providing the first IPTV here, to embrace this fast-growing opportunity and bring our two branded channels to Thai kids and families.”

    Walt Disney Television International (Southeast Asia) MD Raymund Miranda said, “Being responsive to the technological advances of TV programming distribution is a priority for us at Disney Television and the launch of our channels on True IPTV marks an exciting milestone in our business in Southeast Asia. In the long-term, IPTV is expected to penetrate 55 per cent share of the Thai TV market and we look forward to working with True IPTV, the leader in this space, to make that forecast a reality.”

    True IPTV was launched by True Corporation Plc, Thailand’s integrated telecom operator providing fixed line telephone, mobile, broadband and multimedia services. The company plans to expand its operations in Thailand to reach out to local audiences through selected animated programming on both Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel which are dubbed in Thai. Also, number of live-action series have Thai subtitling. In addition, an English language feed is also available in appropriate areas, adds the release.

    Commenting on the partnership, True Corporation Plc MD Thiti Nantapatsiri said, “We’re pleased to have the two Disney channels on our new IPTV offering and we’re confident that our growing number of subscribers will enjoy Disney’s unique brand of quality entertainment.”