DISNEY-ABC TELEVISION GROUP MAKES MULTIPLE BROADBAND ANNOUNCEMENTS, TAKING ABC PRIMETIME ONLINE AND EXTENDING SOAPNET BRAND WITH SOAPENETIC
Full-Length Episodes of �Lost,� �Desperate Housewives,� �Alias� and
�Commander In Chief� Stream Free to Consumers During Two-Month ABC.com Trial
Disney-ABC Television Group made two announcements today which further demonstrate the Group�s dedication to expanding its network and channel brands across multiple platforms and connecting viewers with their favorite shows anytime and anywhere. Both releases, complete with full details, can be found at www.disneyabctv.com.
�These two announcements represent the next steps in our comprehensive, digital media multiplatform business initiative,� said Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney-ABC Television Group. �In the future, consumers will rely more and more on strong brands to help them navigate the digital world, and we have some of the strongest brands in entertainment. Our digital media efforts will help us strengthen our connection with our consumers. Stay tuned... because this is just the beginning.�
The Group announced today that it will offer ad-supported, full-length episodes of four ABC primetime series online at www.ABC.com as 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. Participating advertisers include AT&T, Cingular, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, Unilever�s Suave, Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures, among others.
Additionally, the Group announced it will launch SOAPNETIC, the first-ever, always-on broadband channel dedicated to soap fans, on April 17, 2006. Providing comprehensive coverage of all nine current soap operas, as well as classic and original programming, the gated broadband service, an extension of the linear SOAPnet channel, will be accessible at launch to Verizon consumer broadband customers.
Previously, the Disney-ABC Television Group announced that full episodes of popular original series from Disney Channel and Jetix will be available for viewing online starting later this spring. Kids will be able to log on to DisneyChannel.com and Jetix.tv and stream full-length episodes of the hit series �That�s So Raven,� �The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,� �Kim Possible,� �Power Rangers� and �Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!,� among others, free and on-demand.
The Disney-ABC Television Group is home to all of The Walt Disney Company�s worldwide entertainment and news television properties. The Group includes the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel�s worldwide portfolio of kids channels, ABC Family and SOAPnet; as well as television production and syndication divisions Touchstone Television, Walt Disney Television Animation, Buena Vista Television and Walt Disney Television International. Disney-ABC Television Group also manages the Company�s equity interest in Lifetime Entertainment Services, A&E Television Networks and E! Networks cable groups.
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