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Tag: Disney

  • Disney reports Q4 profit of $782 million

    Disney reports Q4 profit of $782 million

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Disney has reported a fourth-quarter net profit of $782 million, or 36 cents per share, compared with $379 million, or 19 cents per share, a year before.

    Disney’s revenue rose 14 per cent to $8.78 billion from last year’s $7.73 billion. Analysts expected a top line of $8.69 billion. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter increased 89% to $0.36, compared to $0.19 in the prior-year period, reflecting growth at studio entertainment, parks and tesorts, and media networks. For the year, EPS increased 34 per cent to $1.64, compared to $1.22 in the prior year, reflecting growth at each operating segment.

    Disney president and CEO Robert Iger says, “Disney had a spectacular year, posting record revenues, record net income, and record cash flow. It is a result of the incredible creativity at our company.” Media networks revenues for the year increased 11 per cent to $14.6 billion and segment operating income increased 12 per cent to $3.6 billion. For the quarter, revenues increased 10 per cent to $3.7 billion and segment operating income increased 18 per cent to $883 million.

    Operating income at cable networks increased $259 million to $3.0 billion for the year primarily due to growth at ESPN from higher affiliate and advertising revenues. Higher affiliate revenues were due to contractual rate increases and, to a lesser extent, subscriber growth while advertising revenue growth was driven by higher ratings and rates. The revenue increases at ESPN were partially offset by higher programming expenses primarily due to the new Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Football League (NFL) rights agreements and an additional NFL game.

    Increased costs for the ESPN branded mobile phone service, which the Company recently announced would be transitioned into its existing wireless licensing business, and higher general and administrative costs also impacted results for the year.

    For the quarter, operating income at cable networks increased $156 million to $854 million due to growth at ESPN. The increase at ESPN was driven by higher affiliate and advertising revenues and lower marketing expenses. Higher affiliate revenues were due to the recognition of increased deferred revenues and higher contractual rates. During the quarter, ESPN recognized $171 million of previously deferred programming commitment revenues compared to $84 million in the prior-year quarter.

    These increases in ESPN operating income were partially offset by the higher programming expenses from the new MLB and NFL rights agreements and the additional NFL game.

    Operating income at the broadcasting sector increased by $142 million to $606 million for the year driven by improved primetime performance at ABC and increased sales of Touchstone Television series, partially offset by higher costs at the Internet Group and radio, and the increased number and costs of pilot productions.

    The improved primetime performance at ABC was driven by higher ad rates, strong upfront sales, and continued strength in ratings, partially offset by higher programming expenses. The increase in sales at Touchstone were driven by higher international syndication revenues and DVD unit volumes of dramas Lost, Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives as well as higher license fees for Scrubs, which completed its fifth season on network television.

    Ad revenues for the year at broadcasting also benefited from the Super Bowl, however this revenue increase was essentially offset by related programming expenses.

    The cost increase at the Internet Group was primarily due to the launch of Disney branded mobile phone services as well as the costs of other new initiatives. Higher costs at Radio included an impairment charge related to FCC licenses, primarily at ESPN Radio, reflecting an overall market decline in certain radio markets in which we operate.

    However for the quarter, operating income at broadcasting decreased by $19 million to $29 million as improved performance at ABC and higher DVD unit sales of Touchstone Television series were more than offset by the increased costs associated with the roll-out of Disney branded mobile phone services and the FCC license impairment charge. The improved performance at ABC Television Network was driven by higher advertising rates, increased advertising spots from programming changes, and benefits from replacement programming for Monday Night Football, partially offset by the impact of lower ratings.

    On the film front revenues for the year decreased by one per cent to $7.5 billion and segment operating income increased from $207 million to $729 million. Operating income growth was primarily due to improvements in worldwide theatrical motion picture distribution and worldwide home entertainment.

    For the quarter, revenues increased by 33 per cent to $2 billion and segment operating income increased $527 million to $214 million. The increase in operating income was primarily due to improvements in worldwide theatrical motion picture distribution and worldwide home entertainment.

    The improvement in worldwide theatrical motion picture distribution for the year was primarily due to lower distribution costs resulting from fewer domestic Miramax releases and the performance of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. Other successful current year titles included The Chronicles ofNarnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Disney/Pixar’s Cars.

    Worldwide home entertainment growth for the year was primarily due to reduced marketing and trade programs, lower distribution costs driven in part by fewer returns, and improved margins from increased sales of television series DVD box sets, partially offset by a decline in unit sales resulting from a higher number of strong performing titles in the prior year. Significant current year titles included The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Cinderella Platinum Release, and Chicken Little, while prior-year titles included Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles, National Treasure, Aladdin Platinum Release, and Bambi Platinum Release.

  • Disney’s ‘Cars’ & ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ available on iTunes

    Disney’s ‘Cars’ & ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ available on iTunes

    MUMBAI: Two of Disney’s big releases, the animated Disney/Pixar film Cars and Walt Disney Pictures’ motion picture Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest will now be available for download at the Apple’s iTunes store from Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment.

    Cars, the comedy-adventure about a hotshot rookie race car who along with a cast of car-acters goes on the ride of his life. Starring Owen Wilson (‘Wedding Crashers’) and Paul Newman, the movie takes audiences of all ages on an adventure. The film will be available for download at the iTunes store beginning 7 November, states an official release.

    Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow is an epic adventure that has become Disney’s most successful movie of all time, adds the release. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest will be available for download at the iTunes store beginning 5 December.

  • Big brawl in the kids arena

    what‘s the next big thing on television? The response comes from a rather discerning bunch of little champions, kid‘s channels as a category have seen an exponential growth over the year, as 2005 saw this genre close at a 10 per cent genre share (Period: Jan – Dec 05 ; All India, TG: CS 4yrs-14yrs).

    The story this year seems to suggest that the whole category is heading further North, with the previous quarter (July, August, September 2006) clocking 15 per cent genre share.

    Year

    July – Sep 06

    Jan- June 06
    Jan- Dec 05
    Kids‘ genre share
    15
    14
    10

    Genre Share (%) of Kids‘ Channels
    TG: CS 4yrs-14yrs
    Market: All India

    Within this arena and from an all India perspective, the latest TAM data of third quarter results seem to indicate that all of the players are experiencing an upward trend except for the two from the Turner stable, which have slipped somewhat as their rivals upped their collective acts. However, Turner continues to be in the lead, with Toon Disney, which is rocking in the South, following closely behind.

    Channel / Year Jul-06 Aug-06 Sep-06
    Cartoon Network
    26
    24
    24
    Pogo
    23
    22
    21
    Toon Disney
    18
    18
    20
    Hungama TV
    17
    18
    19
    Disney Channel
    11
    11
    9
    Nickelodeon
    5
    6
    7

    Relative Shares (%) of Kids‘ Channels
    TG: CS 4yrs-14yrs
    Market: All India

    When slicing the kid‘s category and looking more specifically at the HSM segment, which is a core market for most players, the same is applicable. Cartoon Network reigns supreme but sibling Pogo appears to be battling it out with potential challenger for the pole position Hungama TV.
     

     

    Some industry observers are of the opinion that this is a landmark quarter, marking the beginning of the end of the dominance Turner has enjoyed all these years, as the carpet is being laid for other players to enter the fray. Data no doubt indicates that other players are slowly eating into the pie. Whether this is a one-off phenomena or will change the course of events for the category as a whole is yet to be determined though.

    What will be under close scrutiny is whether this will create an upheaval that may trickle into the fourth quarter of the year. But with the combination of Disney Channel, Toon Disney, which is the clear leader in the South and Hungama TV (for whom its only a matter of time before it comes under Disney‘s wing), does pose a deadly combination. Also, given the benefits that Toon Disney‘s experiment with local feeds in the South have brought to the network, it won‘t be a surprise to see Disney Channel also tread the same localization path in due course.

    However, the first international kids channel to touch Indian shores and long time leader Cartoon Network, asserts it is not threatened at all by all that is happening in its wake. Says Turner International India vice president advertising sales and networks (India & South Asia) Monica Tata, “When there‘s a successful, dominant player in the market, competition is a natural progression of a dynamic business model. Having blazed a successful trail in the kids‘ entertainment segment, it is only natural for others to see the potential. However, having said that, our biggest competitor is not other kids‘ channels, but ourselves. We are continually striving to raise the bar, build on our success, and continue to innovate and improve our array of matchless content that we offer to the discerning Indian viewer.

    “We believe it is not about shifting or changing strategies to meet competition, but to continually assess and anticipate what the audience wants and deliver in accordance with their viewing needs. As the market place changes, we will respond rapidly to the changing market dynamics. If you don‘t, then you will be left behind!”

    All said and done, the kids category is experiencing dynamic nationwide growth and capitalising on this are advertisers that see it as a worthwhile proposition to hop on board.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communication Tushar Shah states that currently the network has roped in 155 advertisers. Says Shah, “With the kids arena exploding, more players coming into the fray, in addition to the market growth, there are now more options available to advertisers to address kids predisposed in their own environment.”

    Counters Tata, “Cartoon Network and Pogo enjoy a lion‘s share of the advertising pie in the kids‘ television genre. We have witnessed consistent increase in ad sales revenue over the years with top International and Indian brands advertising their products and services on our channels. Moreover, both Cartoon Network and Pogo, through their leadership in reach and viewership, have also partnered with every major kids‘ marketer and several non-traditional clients like BPCL, ING-Vyasa, All-Out, Citibank, Bombay Dyeing, Red Label, amongst many others.”

    “Seeing this phenomenal growth in viewership, we believe there is still tremendous scope for advertisers to further increase their ad spends in the kids‘ genre. Cartoon Network and Pogo‘s ad sales have witnessed a 24 per cent combined growth over Jan-Sep 05 to Jan-Sep 06. The client base of Pogo grew nearly by 50 per cent from 2004 to 2005 with 56 new clients added in 2005. These include, TVS Motors, ICICI Bank, HDFC Standard Life (Insurance), McFills,” she adds.

    Apart from the traditional advertisers, several non-traditional players are also eying this option as a favourable one. Along with some of the prominent advertisers on Nick like Coca Cola, and Nestle, another strategic tie-up with the mother network Viacom sees Microsoft advertising on the channel. MTV Networks India director – Communications and Consumer products Sandeep Dahiya alludes, “This deal has given way to Viacom Brand Solutions which offers multiple integrated solutions, promoting the latest gaming console Xbox 360 on all three channels of the network. In line with this, Nick‘s show with sci-fi kid Jimmy Neutron has an Xbox segment where he provides tips on gaming.”

    Commenting on the pen brand categories that did not previously favour kids as a target as they would primarily use pencils, Hungama TV Senior VP marketing and communication Siddharth Roy said, “Presently we have close to 120 brands on board, out of which pens include Linc Pens, Add Pens, Cello Pens, and Reynolds. Predominantly pens did not advertise in the kid‘s space.”

    He added, “Reliance Infocomm first ad in the kid‘s space, Teleshopping category: a first in the kid‘s space. In the Entertainment category: all Hindi, English movies advertise on Hungama TV. It was also the first to bring in Hindi Movies to the kids space. The real significant victory for the kids space is the diversity of clients willing to experiment on it from FMCG, to banks, to insurance to telecom, to Hindi movie promos to other mass TV channels like Set, Sahara.”

    On non-traditional advertisers rationale for entering kids space, Kapur says that kids pester power now shifts to contributing to the purchasing decision in the household, which is why marketers are looking at kids space to advertise.

    “Advertisers at large recognises kids as an extremely important category within the family and therefore, be it cars, white goods, household items, etc, are also indirectly targeted at kids. The lines between a traditional and non-traditional advertiser have blurred.

    “Cartoons as brand ambassadors are gaining as much popularity as film and cricket stars! Today, an ICICI, BPCL or even an All-Out want to sign on a Tom and Jerry or a Scooby-Doo as their brand ambassador – because they realise the importance of speaking to kids and we have several brand extensions like merchandising, theme parks, etc,” says Monica Tata.

    An inevitable outgrowth of greater consumption is a rise in ad rates and industry sources opine that there has been a jump of about 10 – 15 per cent in ad rates across channels over this year. Well that‘s yet another reason for these broadcasters to be happy!

    On looking at the factors that have propelled kid‘s channels out of control, Kapur attributes Hungama TV‘s success story to three main factors – programming, marketing and distribution. Along these three parallels the channel had adopted a strategy where they play with time slots every week to give kids what they demand, when they want it, as well as on air contests like Right Here Right Now.

    On the marketing front he feels that interactivity through on ground initiatives like the Hungamathon, the Fireman Sam Safety Drive and the contest that has proved advantages as it provides the much needed feeback on their efforts, The Captains Hunt. Besides, the channel also boasts that the two Japanese acquisitions Doremon and Shinchan have done wonders for them.

    Disney‘s Shah believes that their volume of commitment to the Indian market is seen in the their efforts to create an overall Disney brand experience through a 360 degree solution to consumers via multiple touch points that includes the contribution of every one of their businesses.

    Their consumer products division supplies items from character based stationary to undergarments, to branded Disney apparel while the key drivers for their triumph include, That‘s So Raven, Mickey Mouse Club house and recent local production that the company claims is giving them good numbers Vicky Aur Vetaal. He also feels that entertainment at the ground level in India is something highly under-rated and speaks with reference to the event Disney Magic by saying, “Interactivity gives top gratification to the consumer and therefore, brand and character experience, is a turning point for entertainment in the country.”

    Also seeing the value in events, Monica Tata adds that their aim is to provide, new shows, themes, unique and fun-filled on-ground experiences – giving a 360-degree experience that is safe, enjoyable, fun and memorable. “Every year, we organise multi-city events such as Toon Cricket, Toon Yatra, Toon Games, Next Big Toon, Pogo Amazing Kids Awards, Fun Day Out, amongst others.” Recently, Cartoon Network also announced a pan-asian initiative titled Snaptoons (Short New Asia Pacific Cartoons).

    Category leader Cartoon Network forsees clear skies ahead for the kids category as a whole, “There is huge potential in the kids‘ segment and the Industry is definitely growing at a rapid pace. The viewership category has expanded. Plus, now it is not just about television/on-air programming or passive viewership – today kids‘ channels have the ability and option to offer viewers and clients multiple touch points and 360 degree solutions.”

    “This is definitely the age of the kids‘ segment and we have a bright future ahead. However, I would also like to add that even though adspends of brands targeting kids has grown over past years, this has not happened in line with the scorching viewership growth of the genre which has grown from 3.7 per cent in 2002 to 14.7 per cent in 2006, in terms of fair share of spends allocated to kids‘ channels. I am confident if advertisers targetting kids invest more on kids‘ channels than on general entertainment channels, audience deliveries will be much higher!” she adds.
     
  • Disney Consumer Products adds MusicIP’s ‘MyDJ’ technology to it’s portable media player range

    Disney Consumer Products adds MusicIP’s ‘MyDJ’ technology to it’s portable media player range

    MUMBAI: MusicIP, music search engine has announced that Disney Consumer Products has licensed MusicIP’s MyDJ embedded technology, which allows users to find the music they want to hear and to create instant playlists with a single button, to power the ‘MixIt!’ feature on its Disney Mix line of portable media players for kids.

    MyDJ does a musical scan, playing samples from the musical zones on the device, creating instant playlists of similar songs. Because MyDJ acts on the musical patterns within each track, instead of metadata, it creates fresh and interesting playlists with songs from every corner of a listener’s collection, informs an official release.

    Disney Consumer Products vice president Global electronics Chris Heatherly said, “With the Disney Mix line of media players, we are making digital music more accessible for kids than ever before. Most players on the market today, are just not intuitive to kids. MusicIP’s technology lets us make it magically simple for kids to surf their music collections and make playlists in a fun, innovative way that is fresh in the marketplace.”

    MusicIP’s patented MyDJ embedded navigational technology can work within all portable, home, auto and mobile devices, utilizing new or existing user interfaces.

    Launched in 2005, the Disney Mix Stick has established Disney among the top 10 best-selling flash-based MP3 players at U.S. retail, according to The NPD Group. In September, Disney announced two new Disney Mix branded products including the Disney Mix Max which plays videos in addition to music. MyDJ will be supported across the entire line of Disney Mix players, adds the release.

  • Disney’s ‘My School Rocks’ gears up for National roll out in November

    Disney’s ‘My School Rocks’ gears up for National roll out in November

    MUMBAI: Following the global success and drawing inspiration from Disney Channel’s original movie High School Musical, Disney in India is set to introduce a country wide interschool group-dance competition ‘My School Rocks.’

    Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director – programming and production Nachiket Pantvaidya said, “Disney Channel programming 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.”

    The last date for schools to register with the Disney Channel is 10 November. Participating schools will choreograph a dance sequence on the High School Musical hit song ‘Ho ek hi aim’ and appear for auditions at select locations in cities across India. Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan would then shortlist five finalists from the entries received. Disney Channel will air vignettes of these five performances in December and the final winner will be decided based on audience polls by Disney Channel viewers and Saroj Khan’s evaluation of the teams, informs an official release.

    The winning group will star in a special music video, which will be choreographed by the Khan that will premiere on Disney Channel on 25 December 2006. 

    Nachiket added, “High School Musical has created rating highs across the globe. Its popularity among Indian audiences symbolizes the popularity of Disney Channel’s contemporary and universally relevant content. ‘My School Rocks’ contest is an effort, in the context of the movie, to provide Disney Channel viewers delightful moments to be enjoyed with the peer group and the entire family.”

    Audition dates across select cities in India include: 
    – Amritsar: 9 November 
    – Kolkata and Delhi: 15 and 16 November 
    – Mumbai: 16 and 17 November 
    – Ahmedabad: 17 November 

    Khan and Nachiket today visited the Father Agnel School, Gautam Nagar, New Delhi to congratulate the school on being the first to register in this all-India event.

    Saroj Khan said, “Being associated with kids through a Disney Channel event is definitely a very different experience. I am extremely excited about this dance contest and am looking forward to meeting and dancing with a lot of kids! The uniqueness of the event is in its philosophy of self-expression and that’s a beautiful thing to teach our kids today.” 

    The foot tapping music of High School Musical was rendered in Hindi by industry stalwarts Sunidhi Chauhan, Naresh Kamath, Shweta Pandit, Neuman Pinto, and directed by John Stewart, programmed by DJ G and John Stewart. The on-ground events include the ‘My School Rocks’ school contact program across 650 schools in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Amritsar where principals and art teachers are being briefed about the contest. They are being presented with the ‘My School Rocks’ kit complete with the VCD, lyric sheets, dance moves etc. 

    My School Rocks is being presented by Cadbury Bournvita in association with Reynolds Pens, Nippo Batteries, Candyman Cofitino, Peppy and Pizza Corner.

     

  • Disney to encourage kids to eat healthy

    Disney to encourage kids to eat healthy

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company has introduced new food guidelines for licensed foods and promotions aimed at children that will govern Disney’s business partnerships and activities in the U.S. on a going-forward basis and will be adapted internationally over the next several years.

    The new policies call for Disney to use its name and characters ond fat and sugar. ly on kid-focused products that meet specific guidelines, including limits on calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar.

    Disney also announced nutritionally-beneficial changes in the meals served to children at all Disney-operated restaurants in its parks and resorts and unveiled a company-wide plan to eliminate added trans fats from food served at its parks by the end of 2007 and from its licensed and promotional products by the end of 2008.

    “Disney will be providing healthier options for families that seek them, whether at our Parks or through our broad array of licensed foods,” said Disney president and CEO Robert Iger. “The Disney brand and characters are in a unique position to market food that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them.”

    Disney Consumer Products has already begun to offer many licensed products which comply with the guidelines. They include breakfast items such as instant oatmeal featuring characters like The Incredibles and Kim Possible, and Disney Garden fresh produce such as kid-sized apples and bananas. Lunch and dinner foods such as Mickey-shaped organic ravioli and other pastas are also now available, informs an official release.

    Beginning this month in U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts, kids’ meals are automatically being served with low fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice or water along with side dishes like apple sauce or carrots in place of the traditional soft drinks and French fries. Initial tests involving 20,000 kids’ meals show that as many as 90 percent of parents and kids stayed with the more nutritious option.

    Added trans fats are in the process of being removed from all Disney food offerings. Food served at the U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts will be free of added trans fats by the end of 2007. Disney’s U.S. licensing and promotional groups are aiming to meet an end-2008 deadline.

    These guidelines are based on The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and have been developed in cooperation with two child health and wellness experts, Dr. James O. Hill, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and Dr. Keith Thomas Ayoob, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

  • Virgin America signs on Disney, Fox, Paramount & Warner Bros for in-flight content

    Virgin America signs on Disney, Fox, Paramount & Warner Bros for in-flight content

    MUMBAI: Virgin America, the new U.S. start-up airline has announced a collection of launch studio partners for its in-flight entertainment (IFE). The airline has reached individual agreements with Disney, Fox, Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers to provide theatrical content at every seat and on every flight.

    Although details of the deals are not being disclosed, the agreements will provide Virgin America’s guests with the best in motion picture and television entertainment. The airline’s industry onboard entertainment will offer its customers ‘pay-per-view’ movies, live TV via satellite, a wide array of audio music entertainment including the ability to compile individual audio playlists, a broad selection of popular electronic games, and even meals on-demand, informs an official release.

    “Our partnerships with Disney, Fox, Paramount, and Warner Brothers are helping us redefine the travelling experience as it exists for airline customers today,” said Virgin America director inflight entertainment and partnerships, Charles Ogilvie. “Our guests will be able to pick from the latest and greatest Hollywood has to offer and enjoy their entertainment selections on their own schedule from the comfort of their seat.”

    “Disney is happy to be part of the Virgin America team’s challenge to redefine the inflight entertainment experience,” said Disney Non-Theatrical Distribution senior vice president, Linda Palmer. “All arms of this studio are excited about Virgin America taking flight!”

    “Interactive entertainment is a space that Paramount is excited about. Being members of the Virgin America launch team is something that we are excited about and is an important milestone as the U.S. domestic industry progresses toward more interactive inflight entertainment,” said Paramount non-theatrical distribution senior vice president Joan Filippini.

    The airline previously announced entertainment partners including CoKinetic Systems Corporation, IMS, Inflight Canada, Pace Communications, Panasonic Avionics, Spafax, and Wunderman. A new addition to team is the New York-based Anomaly agency.

  • Disney’s ABC News Now to be available via Dish TV

    Disney’s ABC News Now to be available via Dish TV

    MUMBAI: Disney-ABC Television Group’s ABC News Now channel will soon launch on Dish TV, the direct-to-home platform.

    This is the first deal outside of United States that the Walt Disney Company’s Buena Vista International Television-Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) has entered into.

    The 24-hour ABC News Now channel is likely to launch on Dish TV later this year – subject to downlinking approval by the information and broadcasting ministry, according to an official statement.

    ABC News Now is a 24/7 international news channel that provides live breaking news coverage, complete shows, exclusives, news specials, in-depth coverage and more. The channel also offers viewers exclusive uncut interviews from award-winning ABC news programming such as 20/20, Primetime and World News with Charles Gibson as well as insightful, original programs with the latest on health, money and Hollywood.

    “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Dish TV for the ABC News Now channel, and look forward to working closely with them to bring ABC’s first class news service to the Indian audience,” commented BVITV-AP senior vice president and managing director Steve Macallister. “India is a key strategic market for our company so this deal marks a particularly significant achievement.”

    “This is a major step forward for ABC News Now,” said ABC News president David Westin. “As ABC News strives to reach news audiences anytime and anywhere around the globe, we are delighted that one of the largest English-speaking countries in the world should be our first step.”

    “As technology rapidly evolves in the Indian media landscape, a new generation of consumer is embracing all it has to offer. With Dish TV, the Walt Disney Company would be able to provide top-of-the-class global news coverage to a savvy and discerning Indian audience,” said The Walt Disney Company India MD Rajat Jain.

    “In the last year, Dish TV has emerged as one of the fastest growing digital platforms in Asia. Our association with ABC News Now is in line with our commitment to provide the best of infotainment, available in India or abroad, to our subscribers. We are sure that Dish TV subscribers would be happy to access ABC News Now in India shortly,” mentioned Dish TV business head Jawahar Goel.

  • Disney targets five local productions; to kick off with ‘Vicky Aur Vetaal’

    Disney targets five local productions; to kick off with ‘Vicky Aur Vetaal’

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney is stepping up its localisation drive in India. One major push in this: have five locally produced live-action Hindi shows tailored for Disney Channel in a year’s time.

    “Local live-action programming is the way to pump up Disney Channel. We plan to have five original shows within a year and are in talks with various production houses,” Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director, programming and production, Nachiket Pantvaidya tells Indiantelevision.com.

    Disney will have 130 hours of locally produced content over the next one-year period. “India is the first market in the TV business outside the US where Disney has gone in for original local production,” adds Pantvaidya.

    The plan is to increase local content on Disney Channel from 20 to 40 per cent in a year’s time. The move falls in line with Disney’s step-wise localisation strategy. This involved languaging the content, creating local environments through interstitials, acquiring local content like Karishma Ka Karishma and lastly, original local production.

    Disney Channel is all set to premiere its first original live action Indian production Vicky Aur Vetaal, a contemporary version of ancient Indian folklore, on 8 October.

    Disney is also actively considering the option of producing a local movie for TV aimed at the Indian audiences, Pantvaidya says.

    So is Disney also looking at producing animation content in India? “We have nothing planned at this stage. The problem with animation is that the costs do not justify a product just for local TV. It has to spread across markets,” says Pantvaidya.

    Disney has commissioned production house Cinevistaas Ltd. for making Vicky Aur Vetaal. Disney has joined hands with other prominent names in the industry like programming director Suraj Rao, music duo Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire (composer and lyricist) and singer Babul Supriyo.

    The series will air every Sunday at 10:30 am on the Disney Channel. Speaking on the developments of the new show, Cinevistaas vice chairman and managing director Sunil Mehta said, “We started production in August last year, with six episodes complete. We have signed on for 26 episodes which can be extended.”

    The story pans out with Vetaal trapped upside down from a banyan tree for three hundred years and is rescued by an eleven year old brat Vicky. Vetaal’s magical powers have also become rusty landing the pair into trouble, thus the chosen theme “Vetaal ka magic gadbad ghotala.” To undo the mess, Vetaal uses an eccentric ‘spell book’ which has a life and attitude of its own. Inspite of the havoc the pair bring to the show, it also promises to subtly bring out certain moral undertones of responsibility for ones actions.

    “Disney Channel’s commitment to localisation has been a well planned endeavor and we are extremely happy to be delivering on it. We believe in the strength of Indian stories. Our creative idiom with Vicky Aur Vetaal was to contemporize and keep it relevant to today’s generation. In the process of narration, we are able to involve kids in the storyline by addressing their day to day issues in a fun way,” says Pantvaidya.

    With its entry into India, Disney sought pioneer live action programming in a cartoon driven kids market and, according to Pantvaidya, within a span of two years the market has tripled its size.

    Says Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) senior vice president and managing director Nicky Parkinson, “We seek to strengthen connections with kids and their families by developing creative, quality local content that reflects the lives of the local audiences. This major initiative is a strong step forward in establishing Disney Channel further as a committed local player in this country, and also a reflection of the Walt Disney Company’s commitment to seeking great creative from the global marketplace.”

    For the promotional activity around Vicky Aur Vetaal, Disney Channel has launched a theme-driven marketing campaign involving TV, Radio, Internet, and outdoor apart from an off-air promotion which includes touch-points at McDonalds and other outlets frequented by kids.

    In the week preceeding the launch, an on-ground teaser campaign was unveiled whereby ‘authentic duplicates’ of certificates were issued announcing a change of name of the person in question. This, along with marriage proposals from strangers and even inanimate objects like trees got people really curious about what was going on, creating the much desired buzz around the campaign. Besides, Disney has used out of home initiatives in malls across 22 odd markets in the country to create optical illusions. The revealer campaign will be unveiled in 2-3 days.

  • Disney unveils its first branded apparel store ‘Disney Jeans’ in Mumbai

    Disney unveils its first branded apparel store ‘Disney Jeans’ in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Disney India has the launched the first of its non-character franchise stores ‘Disney Jeans’ in Mumbai.

    This is the first of 20 exclusive ‘Disney Jeans’ stores that Disney, along with Indus Clothing plan to set up between now and end-2007

    As reported earlier, Disney and Indus Clothing have inked a licensing agreement wherein the latter would be pumping in approximately Rs 210 million towards the setting up of the stores.
    The Disney Jeans concept will soon be followed by three more stores to be launched in Delhi with another two more opening in Mumbai. next on the list are Pune, Chandigarh, Dehradun and Kanpur.

    The first phase of expansion will target the Northern and Western regions while the Southern and Eastern markets will see Disney Jeans stores by spring next year.

    The core denim range is complimented with tees, fleece, jackets, woven shirts, woven bottoms and accessories in for kids between the age of 4-14 years. Elements such as adjustable waist bands which loosen and tighten according to the child’s growth, hook buttons that are easy for children to manage, offer a casual and fun option. T-shirts and tops will be priced from Rs 99 onwards while the range of jeans will be priced between Rs 800 – 1300.

    Explaining the rationale for introducing non-character merchandise as opposed to the much loved Disney characters, Softlines – Disney Consumer Products (DCP) Regional Director Lester W Lee said, “The non character market is seven to eight times larger than the character market, comprising almost 85 per cent and therefore we see this as a big opportunity for us. From packaging, labels and tags the range will bear the Disney identification.”

    The Disney Jeans product range will however, have cartoon strips and comics on the inner pockets and undercuffs of jeans. This range will also extend to accessories lie bags, hats, socks and footware.

    “We wanted to create a non-character apparel brand that kids like. Ultimately the range will evolve, to provide a total head-to-toe fashion experience for kids through diversification into footwear, eyewear, watches and innerwear,” added Lee.

    “The launch of Disney Jeans is an exciting milestone as we continue to build the depth and breadth of Disney brand among new consumers in India,” said The Walt Disney Company (India) MD Rajat Jain. “We are focused on delivering internationally successful products that appeal and offer great quality, “fashionability” and functionality and are appropriately customized for the local consumers.”

    Eyeing the ‘tween’ market as having great potential, Lee added, “Tween consumers are a key segment, they will be the new generation of spenders as they determine the trends in the market.”

    The Kids branded Apparel and Accessories market in India was at $ 600mn in FY’05 and is estimated to grow to $ 850mn by 2010. The Softlines revenue generated from Asia is pegged at 300 million, China making up for 40 per cent and India 10 per cent of overall revenues.

    “Indus Clothing continues to be the front-runner in the organized Indian fashion business. Our mission is to lead the apparel industry through a superior product portfolio, innovative technology and an unrivalled commitment to customer driven excellence. We have aggressive marketing and promotional plans to build and strengthen our portfolio of brands in India,” said Indus Clothing managing director HP Singh.

    In addition to an extensive retail push, ICL plans innovative marketing initiatives to drive optimum product visibility for the consumers. ICL also plans to invest around 210 million rupees to set up the exclusive ‘Disney Jeans Stores’ by the end of 2007. The number of Disney Jeans Stores is expected to be increased to 50 by year 2008.

    The brand is already present in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. The range will be launched shortly in North America and other parts of Europe. In Asia, the brand is currently available in Taiwan, Thailand, China and in Hong Kong the store as even been extended to include adult merchandise.