ITV

Tag: Disney Channel

  • CCTV renews deal for the Oscars

    CCTV renews deal for the Oscars

    MUMBAI: Disney’s TV distribution arm Buena Vista International Television–Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) has announced a TV licensing agreement with China’s movie channel, CCTV-6.

    This agreement builds on the company’s existing relationship with the broadcaster.

    In the first agreement, CCTV-6 has renewed its multi-year licensing agreement with BVITV-AP to broadcast live The 79th Annual Academy Awards including the 30 minute Red Carpet pre-Show on its movie channel. Since 2003, CCTV-6 has been the exclusive broadcaster in China for the live telecast of The Annual Academy Awards® and pre-Show. In India the Oscars will air on Star Movies on 26 February 2007.

    BVITV-AP senior VP, MD Steve Macallister says, “CCTV-6 has been a key business partner for many years and so we are delighted to be continuing our relationship with this new arrangement. As the leading dedicated movie channel in China, it’s only fitting that CCTV-6’s viewers continue to enjoy exclusive and premier access to the biggest movie event of the year, the Oscars.”

    Disney executive VP, MD for China and Hong Kong Stanley Cheung says, “China is a key strategic priority for the company and with these TV licensing agreements we are delivering our strategy to bring great family entertainment to China”.

    Later this year, the movie High School Musical will air on CCTV-6, in a separate multiple movie package deal concluded with BVITV-AP.

    The High School Musical US premiere in January 2006 broke Disney Channel ratings records, and, for its 16 airings, has now been seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers. The movie has already reached over 100 million total viewers on a global basis and delivered best-ever ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie on Disney Channels in New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia and the UK.

    In the Asia Pacific region High School Musical has been licensed to six broadcasters including Seven Australia, The Movie Network Australia, TVNZ New Zealand, 8TV Malaysia, Fiji TV Fiji, and TVB Pearl Hong Kong. The made-for-TV movie made its international terrestrial TV debut in July 2006 in primetime on Seven Network Australia as the #1 movie in 2006 for Tweens 10-15 delivering a 17.9/67% rating/share and the #2 movie on Seven Network this year with a 9.5/40 per cent rating/share for the Under 55s. It premiered on TV2 New Zealand on 19th August, and was the number one programme of the night among People 5+.

  • Disney powers it up with the first ‘Power Rangers’ tour in India

    Disney powers it up with the first ‘Power Rangers’ tour in India

    MUMBAI: Setting the stage for a mammoth on-ground initiative, the Walt Disney Company has brought the Power Rangers to India for the first time in a multi-city tour called ‘Jetix Live.’ This also marks their first visit to the Asia Pacific region.

    One of the key properties of Disney, the Power Rangers that airs weekly at 4 pm on ‘Jetix’, the action adventure block on Toon Disney, will tour six cities. It will perform a sequence of four half-hour live shows in each city.

    As a prelude to the event, Disney hosted a special welcome for the action heroes at the Gateway of India in Mumbai today.

    The company has launched a mass media campaign and has conducted a three week contest on the Disney Channel, Hungama TV and Jetix that short listed children to attend the performances, as entry is by invitation only.

    The three city outdoor campaign for ‘Jetix Live’

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said that besides using outdoor and print in the six cities, radio will also be used in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata. The company has roped in sponsors to initiate a multimedia co-promotional activity. Partnering Disney are Dabur, Real Fruit Juice, Colgate, Boost ChocoBlast and Nerolac on radio and retail activation.

    Additionally, a special edition of the Power Rangers game was added to the official website www.toondisneyindia.com. While on the mobile route, the Power Rangers Gaming Challenge across principal mobile networks in the country was used to promote the arrival of the super heroes.

    Mumbai’s Inorbit Mall will house the first show on 14 January. Other cities on the agenda include Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The channel promises that the shows will be charged with high octane music, dynamic action, interactive games and on ground contests in each of the six cities.

    Disney MD Rajat Jain strikes a pose with the Power Rangers at the Gateway of India in Mumbai

    Welcoming the action heroes was Walt Disney Company (India) Managing Director Rajat Jain. He said, “Power Rangers is amongst the most popular action adventure series of all time around the globe. With over two years of television viewing on Jetix in India, Power Rangers has created a captivating experience for Indian audiences in the form of merchandise, on air contests, mobile gaming and home entertainment. Power Rangers Dino Thunders Live performance in the country will complete our 360 degrees entertainment offering to consumers around this popular franchise. “

    The Power Rangers franchise lends itself to a range of kid’s merchandise including toys, books, clothes, bags, stationary and bed linen. The Power Rangers mobile game claims to be the most downloaded game in India with over a million downloads.

    The schedule for the six city tour is as follows:
    Mumbai, January 14, at In Orbit Mall
    Ahmedabad, January 18 at 10 Acres Mall
    Delhi, January 21 at Ansal Plaza
    Kolkatta, January 26 at City Centre
    Bangalore, January 28 at Garuda Mall
    Hyderabad, January 31 at Spencers Mall

  • Disney rolls out ‘Disney’s Little Princess’ promotional activity across categories

    Disney rolls out ‘Disney’s Little Princess’ promotional activity across categories

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company in India has launched a country-wide promotion titled – “Disney’s Little Princess”, an across-the-line event around Disney Princess franchise.

    Little girls across India can participate in this festive event by purchasing any Disney Princess product worth Rs 100 or more and win an entry to audition for the ‘Disney’s Little Princess’ contest. Disney Princess spans across categories with merchandise to include toys, clothing, footwear, games, home videos, home products, paints, stationery, television, theatrical content and mobile downloads.

    The Disney Princess franchise has added a noticeable sparkle to the company’s entertainment offerings in the previously underserved segment of girls aged 4-14. The strong presence of the franchise is set to delight little girls throughout the festive season with a host of initiatives and launches planned across all product categories. Disney Princesses are popular across the globe. The franchise is on track to become the largest girls franchise in 2006 with 40 per cent growth in 2005 and 300 per cent growth over the last three years, states an official release.

    “Disney Princess success is an example of the company’s focus on content, creativity and innovation and demonstrates our ability to provide a 360 degree entertainment experience for kids. We have a strong heritage in great story telling and have cemented a rock-solid emotional connection with our consumers through our popular Disney characters and stories,” said Walt Disney Company (India) managing director Rajat Jain.

    Little girls turned up to sing, dance, act and display other talents at auditions in Gurgaon. Besides, auditions will also be held in malls around Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. The event in each of these cities will be recorded and aired in special interstitials on the Disney Channel. The search for ‘Disney’s Little Princess’ is powered by major lines of businesses of The Walt Disney Company India namely consumer products, internet group, home entertainment divisions and ofcourse Disney Channel.

    Disney Princess licensees in India include: United Toys, Me n Moms, Prasima Marketing, Mahindra Intertrade, Bodycare, Nerolac, Sterling Metaplast, Ramlax Exports, Kores India Ltd., H.M. International, Envogue Furnishings and many others. All licensees have come together for this special promotion, adds the release.

    Funskool (India), the licensees for Princess dolls and role play range GM Sales and Marketing R. Jeswant says, “Funskool (India) Ltd has had a long association with Disney. The market response to Disney Princess Dolls and Playsets has been particularly encouraging. This year is being celebrated as the year of the Mermaid and therefore, ‘Ariel, the Little Mermaid’, will be the focus of attention. A full range of Ariel Dolls and Playsets will be on the shelves of leading toy stores shortly. We cherish our association with Disney and expect the relationship to flourish and grow in years to come.”

    Commenting on the popularity of Princess themes of Disney Nerolac Paints- Nerolac GM marketing C. Venugopal says, “Every little girl dreams of a fantasy world where clothes are spun of gold and balls are held in her honor. The princess range allowed Nerolac to do just the same. With a wide range of characters, huge business potential, Disney Nerolac Paint’s Disney Princess range bring the little girls into a world filled with romance and royalty where she can feel as special as a princess.”

    “Disney’s classic Princess stories are extremely popular with kids across the country. We have 12 princess titles in three different formats and each of these are loved not just by kids but also their parents alike. The stories reflect values and ethos that Indian readers relate to. We are proud to bring these stories from the Disney stable to kids across India,” adds Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. director Gaurav Ghai.

    Furthermore, Disney Princess is also being promoted in the television space with a branded block – Disney Princess hour. Viewers can also experience the magical world of Disney Princesses through Disney Movie Magic, every weekend in select Adlabs locations in cities across India through classic titles like Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and the Prince of Thieves.

    The latest Princess platinum title movie was released in October on Home Video – Little Mermaid, a special edition DVD. Taking home, Disney’s Classic, the ‘Little Mermaid’ will also help little girls gain an entry to participate in the mega event this festive season, Excel Home Videos MD M.N. Kapasi said, “Disney Princess celebrates the spirit of the endearing female characters created by the Walt Disney Company over the years. We are pleased that Little Mermaid’s DVD will be an opportunity for children to participate in this prestigious event.”

    This franchise also extended itself to an on-ground experiential delight last year – Disney Channel’s ‘My Little Princess Hunt -2005’.

  • Comcast inks distribution deal with Walt Disney; acquires E! Networks

    Comcast inks distribution deal with Walt Disney; acquires E! Networks

    MUMBAI: Comcast Corporation and The Walt Disney Company announced that they have entered into long-term comprehensive distribution agreements that will extend their relationship into the next decade for the 10 ABC-owned broadcast television stations and an array of Disney’s networks and services including: Disney Channel, ABC Family, Toon Disney, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN HD and increased carriage of SOAPnet.

    Comcast will also launch ESPN Deportes, a stand-alone Spanish-language sports network, and the companies formalised their ESPN2 HD agreement.

    In addition, Comcast has acquired The Walt Disney Company’s 39.5 per cent ownership stake in E! Networks. Following this acquisition, E! Networks, which includes E! Entertainment Television and Style Network, is now wholly owned by Comcast. The purchase price for the 39.5 per cent stake was $1.23 billion, states an official release.

    The companies have also agreed to add primetime television programs, cable network shows and Disney movies to Comcast’s signature On Demand service. Marking the first time ABC broadcast programs will be available on video on demand (VOD) by any cable company, several ABC primetime series will be offered free by Comcast in ABC-owned television station markets. The companies also said they will work together to make promotional content from the Disney-ABC Television Group available on Comcast’s broadband portal, www.comcast.net, adds the release.

    “This agreement reflects our ability to distribute content on multiple platforms and signals another first for Comcast and Disney as we continue to explore the evolving possibilities of digital technology. We could not have gotten this deal done without Bob Iger’s leadership and vision. Putting Disney, ESPN and ABC’s extremely popular content on Comcast VOD is a watershed event for both of our companies,” said Comcast chairman and chief executive officer Brian Roberts.

    “This is the first cable on-demand agreement for hit ABC primetime broadcast programs like Desperate Housewives and Lost and, when combined with Disney movies and other ABC/Disney/ESPN television programs, gives Comcast access to the most Disney content available.”

    The Walt Disney Company president and chief executive officer Robert A. Iger commented, “This is one of the broadest distribution agreements in the history of our company. Disney’s great brands and great content combined with Comcast’s leading distribution platforms provide an incredibly compelling consumer experience in sports, family, news and entertainment. We look forward to working with Brian and Steve Burke on a range of future projects as technology continues to evolve.”

  • Disney’s dance contest ‘My School Rocks’ kicks off in Mumbai

    Disney’s dance contest ‘My School Rocks’ kicks off in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Disney Channel’s interschool group-dance competition ‘My School Rocks’ kicked off in Mumbai today with students from over 50 schools in Mumbai competing to enter the semi finals of the contest.

    The performances from Mumbai kids will be pitted against schools from four other cities including Kolkata, Amritsar, New Delhi and Ahmedabad. Bollywood dance queen Saroj Khan will judge the competition and pronounce five schools with the best dancing talent as semi finalists.

    Vignettes of these five semi finalists’ performances will then be aired for audience poll via various voting mechanisms. The school to win the hearts of the viewers will take away the title – ‘My School Rocks’, states an official release.

    In addition, the winning group will star in a special music video which will be choreographed by Saroj Khan and will premier on Disney Channel on 25 December.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director – programming and production Nachiket Pantvaidya said, “Disney Channel reflects real kids’ lives, their aspirations and dreams. ‘My School Rocks’ is all about encouraging kids to express themselves while learning the value of teamwork. As in the movie High School Musical, this contest is about believing in yourself and following your dreams.”

    “We believe in creating multiple touch points for our young viewers to experience our brand in an engaging and fun way. My School Rocks is an extension of our on-air programming philosophy,” he adds.

    Drawing inspiration from this year’s Disney Channel original movie High School Musical, particiapnts for My School Rocks were required to choreograph their own dance sequences to the High School Musical song ‘Ho ek hi aim’.

    The music of the High School Musical was rendered in Hindi by Sunidhi Chauhan, Naresh Kamath, Shweta Pandit, Neuman Pinto, and directed by John Stewart, programmed by DJ G and John Stewart.s

  • PlayStation 2 launches Disney’s ‘Kim Possible: What’s The Switch?’ in US

    PlayStation 2 launches Disney’s ‘Kim Possible: What’s The Switch?’ in US

    MUMBAI:Based on the Disney Channel show Kim Possible, yet another video game Kim Possible: What’s The Switch? has been developed for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. This will be available in retail stores throughout the United States.

    “As the fifth video game starring Disney Channel favourite, Kim Possible, Disney’s Kim Possible: What’s The Switch? is an exciting opportunity for video game players to follow the crime-fighting heroine’s exploits on the living room TV,” said Buena Vista Games vice president marketing Craig Relyea. “Kim Possible is an extremely successful handheld video game franchise and this game looks to repeat that success on the console by bringing more fun and thrills to this engaging PlayStation 2 title.”

    In Disney’s Kim Possible: What’s the Switch?, players control Kim, Shego or Rufus the naked mole rat as they traverse the globe to defeat enemies. Published by Buena Vista Games and developed by A2M, Disney’s Kim Possible: What’s The Switch? is rated E for Everyone and is available for a suggested price of $29.99, states an official release.

    Features of Disney’s Kim Possible: What’s The Switch? include 11 missions as one of three characters (Kim Possible, Shego or Rufus); the ability to acquire and use six gadgets; and a two-player mode.

    The Kim Possible video game franchise has sold more than 1 million units to date worldwide since its debut in 2002. The first three Kim Possible games appeared exclusively for the Game Boy Advance. Disney’s Kim Possible: Kimmunicator, which was released in 2005, was the first Kim Possible title developed for the Nintendo DS, adds the release.

    Disney’s Kim Possible: Global Gemini for the Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in February 2007 throughout the United States.

  • Disney US signs deal with Nintendo for games

    Disney US signs deal with Nintendo for games

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Disney and games firm Nintendo have announced a deal.

    Characters from shows The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana, American Dragon: Jake Long and That’s So Raven are available on Nintendo handheld video game systems.

    Buena Vista Games VP marketing Craig Relyea says, “This fall, kids of all ages can experience the fun of following characters from their favorite Disney Channel shows through a series of great new video games. Whether at home or traveling during the holidays, kids can enjoy these all-new adventures on the Nintendo handheld system of their choice.”

    Based on the TV show American Dragon: Jake Long and developed by WayForward, American Dragon: Attack of the Dark Dragon for the Nintendo DS lets players take control of Jake, who must punch and kick his way through an onslaught of villains to save girlfriend Rose from the Dark Dragon. American Dragon: Attack of the Dark Dragon boasts five distinct worlds with more than 20 levels. When Jake transforms into the America Dragon, players can release dragon fire, perform jump attacks, whip with a tail swipe and take flight in 3D with up to four friends in wireless mode.

    In the game based on the show Disney’s Hannah Montana 13 year-old Miley Stewart lives a double life as girl-next-door and pop sensation in the Disney Channel original show, Hannah Montana. In Disney’s Hannah Montana for the Nintendo DS, developed by DC Studios, someone is threatening to reveal Miley’s secret and it’s up to the player to determine who it is.

    Playing as Miley, gamers must use spy skills and gadgetry to investigate their school, the boardwalk, stadium and beach to uncover hidden clues and solve the mystery. Players can interact with their favorite characters from the show using a branching dialogue system while exploring familiar Hannah Montana environments, and meet hilarious new characters along the way. Mini-games include a wireless two-player skateboard, rollerblade and scooter challenge and a mode that enables players to share clothes in Miley’s secret wardrobe with others via wireless connection.

    The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Caper for the Game Boy Advance takes players on a daring adventure with the 12-year-old twins at the Tipton Hotel. The boys are on a mission…crawling, climbing, jumping, racing and wearing disguises to conquer enemy forces, when they discover a plot to steal the crown from a Teen Beauty Pageant being held at the hotel. Players control the twins independently or team up in fun-filled missions to ensure the thief is stopped and the night is a success, all while trying not to get caught.

    Developed by Handheld Games, That’s So Raven: Psychic on the Scene challenges players to solve a hare-brained mystery brought on by one of Raven’s psychic visions. Taking the role of Raven or one of her friends, Chelsea or Eddie, players must gather clues to solve the mystery, fix fashion mishaps, save friends and progress through an array of fun puzzle challenges – all in 3D and for the first time ever on the Nintendo DS.

    Players can mix and match more than 40 different outfits, hairstyles and disguises, create custom clothing styles that can be shared over the wireless connection, sew new garments, and take the driver’s seat in several mini-games.

  • Disney Channel inks pan-European mobile deal with Orange

    Disney Channel inks pan-European mobile deal with Orange

    MUMBAI: The Disney Channel has announced that it has signed its first pan-European deal to provide content to mobile phones. Through an agreement with Orange, the service will be available to customers in the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Holland, Romania, Slovakia and, in time, France.

    The service will consist of 65 to 120 minute programming loops featuring some Disney Channel’s most popular content, including full 22-minute episodes of live-action programming franchises That’s So Raven and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and animated hits like Kim Possible and Disney’s Recess. In addition, consumers will be able to watch clips from Hannah Montana and a selection of Disney Channel Original Movies, informs an official release.

    Disney Channels, EMEA executive vice president and managing director John Hardie said, “This is a break-through deal which we expect to be a huge hit with kids all over Europe. With parents’ consent and knowledge, it allows kids to watch their favourite Disney Channel programmes on the way home or wherever they are. It’s how today’s kids are growing up to watch TV – at a time and in a place they choose and it’s important that content providers are able to deliver that.”

    In other agreements announced by the two companies, Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), Disney’s international TV distribution division, and France Telecom-Orange will extend their existing broadband VOD movie licensing agreement in France across other markets in Europe. With these agreements, Orange VOD subscribers in Spain and TPSA VOD subscribers in Poland will be the first to enjoy movies from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films. 

    Titles include global box office hit Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and the forthcoming sequel The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian are also included in the agreements. 

    Orange currently boasts of more than 2.9 million mobile broadband customers. France Telecom Executive Vice President Patricia Langrand said, “The agreement for the mobile services illustrates our desire to develop dedicated formats and programs specifically adapted for our mobile services with prestigious partners. Our agreement with Disney for VOD will enrich the content offer for our on demand services across multiple territories and platforms.

  • BVITV inks multiple deals at Los Angeles Screenings

    BVITV inks multiple deals at Los Angeles Screenings

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) has concluded multiple deals at the Los Angeles screenings. The first one was inked between BVITV Japan and Jupiter Entertainment, which is the provider of the Movie Plus channel, for distribution of visual entertainment consisting mainly of live action and animated movies.

    The closure of this contract guarantees the provision of hit releases as Six Days, Seven Nights, Snake Eyes and The Crimson Tide. It also means that popular Disney animated productions like The Nightmare Before Christmas will be available for view over the Movie Plus channel.

    BVITV Japan has also inked a new agreement with Pay-Per-View Japan, Inc. for distribution of visual entertainment consisting mainly of cinema-release movies and TV series.

    With this deal, movies such as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Cinderella Man and Flight Plan will be availabe for Pay-Per-View Japan.

    It also means that the successful TV series Lost, along with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest will be available for view over the Pay-Per-View Japan platform.

    BVITV has also announced multi-genre deals with Pop TV to bring a range of new and returning series, features and TV movies to viewers across Slovenia.

    This was announced by BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis and Pro Plus general manager Marijan Jurenec.

    With these agreements, Pop TV has licensed the second series of Lost and Desperate Housewives as well as Grey’s Anatomy, the drama Criminal Minds and the family comedy According to Jim.

    Pop TV has also picked up the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical. A contemporary “break into song” production, the comedic movie tells the story of two teens who must learn to believe in themselves despite the polarization of high school cliques. The US premiere of High School Musical delivered the highest ever household ratings for Disney Channel original programming.

    Pop TV’s selected first run features include M Night Shyamalan’s movies Signs and The Village. Other features include the classic movies Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and Con Air.

    In a separate agreement introduced by BVITV, Pop TV has licensed a selection of action-packed Jetix Europe programming. Younger viewers will be able to enjoy a selection of popular series including W.I.T.C.H. and Power Rangers: Dino Thunder.

    Toumazis said, “Following the continued success of our programming on Pop TV, including Lost and Desperate Housewives, we are delighted to be working with the channel to bring this broad selection of new, schedule-driving entertainment to its viewers.”

  • Disney Channel rings in Teacher’s Day celebrations

    Disney Channel rings in Teacher’s Day celebrations

    MUMBAI: Disney Channel is paying tribute to teachers by dedicating a whole week in September to observe Teacher’s Day in a distinctive style. The channel is offering children across the country, a unique opportunity to acknowledge their teacher’s efforts and to make them feel very special.

    Children can write in to Disney Channel and have personalised greeting cards sent to their teachers. Disney Channel will also run a contest based on popular characters playing “teacher” from various Disney Channel shows with five kids getting a chance to take their teacher and entire class out for a Disney Channel treat. Teacher’s Week will be celebrated from 5 – 9 September on Disney Channel.

    Disney Channel is also running a contest to find “the coolest teacher of them all” based on the channel’s most popular characters playing “teacher” namely Miss Finster from Recess, Mr Keith and Mr Dig from Lizzie McGuire and Mr Petracelli and Mr Lawler from That’s So Raven. Kids writing in to Disney stating who they think is the coolest character teacher stand to win fabulous prizes. Five kids will bag a chance to take their teachers and the whole class out for a Disney Channel treat.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said, “Teacher’s play an integral role in the overall growth and development of kids in their efforts to teach and impart knowledge. They are one of the main influencers in a child’s formative years that enable kids to nurture and chase their dreams wholeheartedly and make them a reality. Through the initiatives on Disney Channel we hope to create magic in the lives of kids and their teachers on this special occasion.”

    The celebrations are underway with promos running right up to 5 September on Disney Channel, on disneychannelindia.com and through school contact programmes in Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Faridabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Meerut and Rohtak. Kids can write into the channel or log on to the website or simply SMS us to participate.

    During “Teacher’s Week”, Disney Channel will also air teacher-student related episodes of various Disney Channel shows including That’s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire and Recess.