ITV

Tag: Disney

  • Disney Channel Fun Zone creates rollicking time for over 15,000 kids

    Disney Channel Fun Zone creates rollicking time for over 15,000 kids

    MUMBAI: Disney Channel brought yet another innovative opportunity for kids to experience the Disney Channel shows, win goodies and have a blast with their family. Over 15,000 kids and families had a rocking time this weekend at Disney Channel Fun Zone at the DNA YA! Station, an indoor festival for kids organised by the English daily DNA.

    In response to a clear need gap for weekend activities that are fun and involving for the entire family, Disney Channel – the entertainment partner for the DNA YA! Station designed the Disney Channel Fun Zone offering kids an opportunity to enjoy themselves with involving activities along with their families.

    Of the 2500 who registered at the Disney Channel Fun Zone, 40 kids got the opportunity to watch the ever best Disney movies in a specially designed Movie Theatre.

    What’s more, kids tested their acting skills at a special audition booth mimicking their favorite Disney characters and two lucky winners will be featured on Disney Channel.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said, “We believe in providing a complete Disney brand experience every time we establish a contact with the viewer. There is a huge need gap today, of suitable content that has stickiness on-air which can also create involving on-ground-experiences. With innovative initiatives like Disney Channel Fun Zone, we aim to bridge the gap between TV content and on-ground brand experience for the viewers and enable viewers to develop a much stronger bond with Disney Channel.”

    The DC Fun Zone comprised six sub-zones, each representing a key property, which include That’s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire, Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Recess, American Dragon: Jake Long and the Disney Movies.

  • Disney ties up with CinemaNow to offer films online

    Disney ties up with CinemaNow to offer films online

    MUMBAI: CinemaNow, which provides on-demand movies online, has announced an agreement with Buena Vista Home Entertainment. CinemaNow will offer select movies on a download-to-own basis through its website (www.cinemanow.com).

    Buena Vista Home Entertainment will also offer select new movies beginning with Glory Road on 6 June, which will coincide with the timing of its home entertainment window. This agreement will also allow on-demand viewers to move their content onto approved portable devices for a broader digital experience.

    Movies initially offered on a download-to-own basis will include Flightplan, The Insider. Additional movies available the same day as their DVD release will include Eight Below on 20 June and Annapolis on 27 June. Customers can purchase and download a legal, permanent copy of a Buena Vista Home Entertainment movie for unlimited playback on the download device.

    CinemaNow president Bruce Eisen says, “We are very proud to have been selected by Buena Vista Home Entertainment as an Internet company to distribute its movies on a download-to-own basis.

    “Buena Vista Home Entertainment not only produces and distributes some of the highest quality movies in the world, but they have also been a leading force in the adoption of new distribution platforms and we are excited that they recognize CinemaNow as a leader in this emerging space.”

  • Disney Publishing Worldwide names Hampton as president

    Disney Publishing Worldwide names Hampton as president

    MUMBAI: R Russell Hampton Jr., has been named president of Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW). The announcement was made by Disney Consumer Products chairman Andy Mooney.

    Hampton will be replacing Deborah Dugan who announced her resignation earlier this week. In this capacity, he will be responsible for overseeing DPW’s various book imprints and magazines around the world. Based in New York City, he will report to Mooney.

    Mooney said, “Russell is taking over Disney Publishing at a time when its reputation for creating exciting new entertainment is flourishing. His leadership in turning Baby Einstein from a small video company to a significant multi-media infant developmental brand is well suited to overseeing DPW’s positive momentum.”

    Hampton was named executive vice president of DCP’s global Home and Infant business in 2005 in addition to being general manager of The Baby Einstein Company, which he held since 2001 when The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) bought it.

    “I’m honored to be given the responsibility of overseeing a division of The Walt Disney Company, which has such a rich history of extending and creating great stories for families around the globe,” said Hampton.

    Disney Publishing Worldwide celebrates its 75th year in 2006 and is the largest publisher of children’s books and magazines in the world, selling 160 million books in 2005 and publishing 222 million magazine copies. DPW also publishes Family Fun magazine and the new Wondertime magazine for adults.

    “The Disney treasure chest of characters and stories is much fuller today thanks to Deb’s oversight. The comic book series W.I.T.C.H. that has sold over 20 million copies and became a TV series and the creation of the Disney Fairies franchise are just two examples of Deb’s legacy at Disney Publishing,” said Mooney.

    Previously, Hampton served as vice president of strategic planning and corporate development for TWDC. He joined TWDC in 1996 as manager of strategic planning.

    Before joining Disney, Hampton was vice president of J.P. Morgan & Co. in New York.

  • Disney signs VoD deal in Germany

    Disney signs VoD deal in Germany

    MUMBAI: Disney’s international TV distribution arm Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) has concluded a multi-year agreement with German video-on-demand (Vod) operator HanseNet.

    The German firm will air a selection of upcoming, current and library movies from BVITV’s portfolio on its new set top box VOD and TV service Alice homeTV.

    With this agreement, Alice homeTV’s customers will be able to enjoy a selection of current and upcoming features from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films via the new set top box service.

    Titles include The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, its upcoming sequel The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The agreement also includes recent titles such as Flightplan and Cinderella Man. Subscribers will also be able to enjoy a selection of library features, and a selection of local German acquisitions such as Die Wilden Kerle 3.

    The agreement also includes provisions for co-operation between BVITV and Alice against piracy of BVITV’s content, while at the same time appropriately safeguarding the privacy of Alice’s service subscribers and remaining consistent with local law. Under the agreement, Alice will forward notices to its internet subscribers allegedly engaged in the unauthourised distribution of BVITV’s copyrighted works, without identifying the subscribers to BVITV.

  • Disney and Optus to launch Disney Connection in Australia

    Disney and Optus to launch Disney Connection in Australia

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) and Optus have signed an agreement to launch an interactive broadband service Disney Connection on the Optus broadband portal.

    The service will offer kids and families a broad range of media-rich Disney entertainment and learning activities. It will be available to Optus broadband customers in July 2006.

    The agreement marks the Australian launch of the popular Disney-branded internet channel, which is available in eight other countries, including the US, Japan, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Argentina.

    “We’re very pleased to work with Optus to make this high-quality broadband content available to Australian consumers,” said Walt Disney Internet Group International executive vice president and managing director Mark Handler.

    “Disney Connection provides unique, high-quality and differentiated online entertainment that kids and families can enjoy. We look forward to bringing more of our rich library of online interactive entertainment to this market,” he added.

    Disney Connection will offer Optus broadband customers a regularly-updated slate of interactive games and activities, as well as video, based on both classic and new Disney characters. Its Studio Showcase will provide video shorts from Disney, including Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney clips, cartoon shorts, music videos, and movie trailers.

    “As Australians increasingly embrace broadband, we are pleased to launch an interactive and educational entertainment destination designed especially to meet the needs of children and families,” said Optus Consumer group director products and delivery Chris Lane.

    “This is a cornerstone deal in Optus’ strategy of featuring the internet’s leading online brands and entertainment providers. It is another step in Optus’ vision of a digital future where PC and mobile phones become sources of everyday entertainment,” he added.

    Disney Connection content on the Optus broadband portal will be refreshed every other week. Kids and families will be able to personalise their site experience through the “My Disney” link by selecting their favourite theme – from Buzz Lightyear to Disney Princess – and choosing their preferred games and other content to appear on the Disney Connection home page.

    A separate mobile section will highlight Disney-branded mobile content available on the Optus Zoo WAP portal.

    In the Asia Pacific region, Disney.com has well-established, localized Internet sites in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Australia. WDIG launched its first broadband content service in Japan in 2003 with NTT FLET’s broadband network, reaching more than 7.9 million subscribers. In June 2005, it launched its first broadband service in Taiwan with Chungwa Telecom’s HiNet ADSL, the country’s leading broadband provider, with more than 3.5 million subscribers.

    WDIG has mobile content distribution in 13 markets in the Asia Pacific region, including Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, China, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Macau. In this region, more than 695 million mobile consumers have access to Disney-branded mobile content.

  • Disney completes Pixar acquisition

    Disney completes Pixar acquisition

    MUMBAI: Advancing its strategy of developing outstanding creative content, The Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert A. Iger announced today that Disney has completed its acquisition of animation company Pixar. In the all-stock transaction, 2.3 Disney shares will be issued for each Pixar share.

    Former Pixar president Dr. Ed Catmull will serve as president of the new Pixar and Disney animation studios, reporting to Iger and The Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook.

    In addition, former Pixar executive vice president John Lasseter, will be chief creative officer of the animation studios, as well as principal creative advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he will provide his expertise in the design of new attractions for Disney theme parks around the world. Lasseter will report directly to Iger.

    Former Pixar chairman and CEO Steve Jobs has joined Disney’s board of directors as a non-independent member. With the addition of Jobs, 11 of Disney’s 14 Directors are independent.

    “For the last 15 years, Disney and Pixar have shared one of the most successful partnerships in entertainment history. From Toy Story through The Incredibles, the success of these animated films was due to the creativity, innovation and immense talent of the phenomenal Pixar team, led by Steve, Ed and John. We also fully recognize that Pixar’s extraordinary record of achievement is in large measure due to its vibrant creative culture, which is something we respect and admire and are committed to supporting and fostering in every way possible. As we begin the next chapter, all of us at Disney are pleased to welcome the incredibly talented Pixar team to our company to continue to create quality entertainment for audiences to enjoy around the world,” said Iger.

  • Disney’s ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ launches on DVD

    Disney’s ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ launches on DVD

    MUMBAI: Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is out on Excel Home Videos DVDs this summer. Winner of 13 awards and nominated 40 times, the movie was the highest grosser worldwide in recent times.

    Based on C.S. Lewis’ timeless adventure, the DVD is packed with added features like fun facts on Narnia, bloopers on the sets and making of the movie. The DVD has options for Hindi and English audio tracks. Other regional language editions will also be launched shortly.

    The movie’s popularity across the globe reverberated extensively during the theatrical launch in India with dubbed versions in several Indian languages, ahead of many Hindi and regional movies. The movie was among the top three movies in India, topping the list in the south ahead of regional movies for several weeks.

    The Walt Disney Company India managing director Rajat Jain said, “With our range of world-class business assets and the productive working relationships we’ve developed, India represents excellent opportunities to create meaningful and across-the-board presence. Our Home Entertainment business in the country through local partnership with Excel Home Videos represents long term growth potential as more and more consumers are being exposed to Disney hallmark quality entertainment.”

    Excel Home Videos managing director M N Kapasi added, “Considering the huge theatrical response, the positive reaction from retail and the impending summer vacations, we have doubled the number of DVDs to be released, making it the largest release in recent times. The huge retail penetration Excel enjoys in the country, with DVDs sold out from local stationery and general stores to premium book stores and malls further justify the magnitude of the release. The DVD is a value product with its inbuilt language selection feature (English, Hindi) enabling the viewer to watch the Movie in the language of his choice.”

    The DVD launch will be bolstered with an exciting pan-India contest on Disney Channel, promotion on Disney Channel India website and several on ground events. Kids buy the DVD and avail a chance to win wardrobes full of Disney goodies and other prizes.

  • Disney expands ToonTown Online

    Disney expands ToonTown Online

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) has introduced Lawbot Headquarters (HQ), the highly-anticipated expansion of Disney’s Toontown Online.

    Toontown Online is the critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online (MMO) game for kids and families. Lawbot HQ has been designed for advanced players and delivers more challenges and enemies, including new stealth-based gameplay and an epic final battle.

    Within Toontown, using personalised Toon avatars, players join forces to save Toontown from the robot Cogs – Bossbots, Lawbots, Cashbots, and Sellbots – who are attempting to turn the colourful world of Toontown into a dark metropolis of skyscrapers and businesses.

    Toons can now team up to infiltrate the Cog legal system by making their way through a maze-like office building using stealth and secrecy to avoid detection. They will have to overcome various obstacles such as security guards, searchlights, crashing traps and more on their way to the courtroom of the chief justice.

    “Toontown is a unique gaming experience in many respects. Not only is the game widely recognised as fun and safe for children to play, it continues to evolve with exciting new features that bring additional challenges and environments added every few months at no extra cost,” said the Walt Disney Internet Group, Europe managing director Attila Gazdag.

    Disney’s Toontown Online is the first MMO game for kids and families. Anyone can try Toontown free for three days at www.disney.co.uk/toontown.

  • Buena Vista Intl TV EMEA appoints Taylor as VP legal & business affairs

    Buena Vista Intl TV EMEA appoints Taylor as VP legal & business affairs

    MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) EMEA has appointed Simon Taylor as vice president legal and business affairs. This was announced by BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis and Disney senior vice president and European general counsel Peter Wiley.

    In this London-based role, Taylor will be responsible for managing all legal and business affairs for BVITV’s television and new media distribution business. Within this, he will work closely with both Toumazis and Wiley, and will manage a BVITV legal and business affairs team of 11 based in London and Paris. He will also become a member of BVITV’s executive team.

    Taylor will join BVITV next month from his role as business consultant to a range of clients in the entertainment broadcasting, production and distribution sectors. Prior to this, he was HIT Entertainment’s legal and business affairs director from 2000 to 2002. Before that he was at BBC TV Programme Acquisition as head of business and legal affairs from 1994 to 2000.

    Toumazis said, “I’m delighted that someone with Simon’s experience and knowledge of the industry will help us manage the number of business opportunities and legal issues we face in the industry, including emerging new technology platforms and assisting with our continued efforts against piracy.”

    Wiley added, “Simon’s extensive track record of in-house legal experience in the international media industry will prove invaluable for our whole company.”

    “I’m excited to be joining such a dynamic business and looking forward to working with the team to further success, working with the great content BVITV has, and helping take advantage of the opportunities that the market has to offer,” said Taylor.

  • Disney-ABC to offer hit shows online in May and June

    Disney-ABC to offer hit shows online in May and June

    MUMBAI: Get ‘Desperate’ and ‘Lost’ online! With an aim to expand its network and channel brands across multiple platforms and connecting viewers with their favorite shows anytime and anywhere, Disney-ABC Television Group will be offering ad-supported, full-length episodes of four ABC primetime series online at www.abc.go.com.

    However, this offer will be a part of a two-month-long experiment. Current episodes of Lost, Desperate Housewives and Commander In Chief, as well as the entire present season of Alias, will be available for streaming during May and June, marking the first time a broadcast network has made multiple series available for viewing online, free of charge to consumers.

    “The evolution of ABC.com is just one piece of our comprehensive, digital media multiplatform business initiative. This announcement highlights the momentum we’ve achieved both in launching new broadband services and working with strategic partners in the digital media space, to ensure that our high-quality, informative and entertaining content is available to consumers whenever and wherever they choose,” said Disney Media Networks co-chair and Disney-ABC Television Group president Anne Sweeney.

    ABC is also exploring ways to work with its local broadcast affiliates on these online offerings as they continue to evolve. “Our ultimate goal is to find an effective online model, one in which our affiliates can take part. To that end, we’ll be sharing information from this two-month test in our discussions going forward, and working on ways for them to participate in this new method of delivering ABC programming,” added ABC Television Network president operations and administration Alex Wallau.

    “Our mission with this trial is to gather key learning about the technology and the consumers who utilize it in order for ABC.com to become the leading broadband digital entertainment experience, packed with innovative, immersive content for our viewers. In the months ahead, ABC.com will not only deliver a high quality, on-demand viewing experience to users, but will also gain valuable knowledge and research to help us better understand and serve our consumers in the rapidly evolving digital world,” said Disney-ABC Television Group executive vice president digital media Albert Cheng.

    As part of the trial, ABC has offered 10 advertisers the opportunity to test possible in-stream broadband advertising models as well as the ability to take advantage of sponsorships. The unique interactive video ads will take many different forms and will be seen within each episode. The advertisers include AT&T, Cingular, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, Unilever’s Suave, Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures, among others.

    “We have said all along that we are dedicated to finding ways to bring our advertiser partners along with us as we embrace new ways of doing business in the world of digital media. This unique project has allowed us to offer our advertisers the ability to deliver increased effectiveness in their messaging through targeted and engaging interactive ads that offer compelling consumer experiences,” said ABC Television Network president sales and marketing Mike Shaw.

    Combining an all-new sleek, modern design with user-friendly functionality, ABC.com will offer episodes the day after they premiere on the linear channel. Consumers will be able to pause and move back and forth between “chapters” within each episode, but will not have the ability to fast-forward through advertisements. Episodes will be streamed in 16×9 formatting which offers a cinema-like feel to the viewing experience.

    Encoded and streamed in Flash 8, which offers the best video quality and allows users on both Mac and PC platforms to watch the video episode, will be offered in two different sizes. The standard viewing size is 500×282 pixels (streamed at 400kbs), and the larger viewing size is 700×394 pixels (streamed 700 kbps).