Disney Increases Presence in Central and Eastern Europe, Launching 5 More Disney Channels

Disney Increases Presence in Central and Eastern Europe, Launching 5 More Disney Channels

LONDON, May 26/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- Disney Channel Grows CEE Distribution to 12 Million Households With
Launches in Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria-

The Walt Disney Company today announced that it will re-brand its Jetix
channels in five Central and Eastern European countries to become Disney
Channel, the world's leading kids TV brand. Kid-driven, family inclusive
Disney Channel is set to launch later this year in Hungary, Romania, Czech
Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria, increasing the channel's distribution to 12
million households in the CEE region. Disney Channel will be localised for
the market with programming dubbed in local languages.

Disney Channel series joined the Jetix CEE schedule last year and have
helped strengthen the channel's position. In just two months following the
series debut in Hungary, Disney's Hannah Montana and Phineas and Ferb
attracted an additional 391,000 viewers*, and propelled Jetix from #3 to #1
kids' channel. The first Disney Channel launch in CEE also proved successful,
the channel began broadcasting in Poland in December 2007 and has since
doubled its reach to become the country's #1 kids' channel.

Giorgio Stock, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Disney
Channels EMEA, comments: "CEE is a key market for The Walt Disney Company and
launching Disney Channel is central to the company's strategic growth plan in
the region. The performance of Disney Channel in Poland and the huge impact
of the channel's content on Jetix have proven the demand for its kid-driven,
family inclusive programming. We look forward to leveraging this demand, the
power of the Disney brand and synergies with other Disney businesses to
become the undisputed leader in the kids' TV market."

Targeted at two distinct age groups, kids aged 2 to 5 and kids aged 6 to
14 and their families, Disney Channel will offer CEE viewers a compelling mix
of programming including live action favourites Hannah Montana, the hit
animated series Phineas and Ferb and Disney Channel Original Movies High
School Musical and Camp Rock. The channel will also feature a daily Playhouse
Disney programming block with a range of entertaining, learning-focused
programming for preschoolers, including global hits Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
and Handy Manny.

Disney Channel Worldwide represents the most successful portfolio of
kids' channels in the world with 98 channels and/or channel feeds available
in 167 countries and in 32 languages. In 2008, Disney Channel ranked as the #
1 kids' channel in 17 countries/territories including Poland in Central and
Eastern Europe. Disney Channel properties continue to rapidly expand into new
markets across the world, playing a key role in introducing the Disney brand
to new consumers.

Notes to editors:

*Source: AGB Hungary, Cab/Sat Homes - April 08 vs July 08 - individuals
4+

About Disney Channel:

Disney Channels Worldwide is a portfolio of 98 kid-driven, family
inclusive entertainment channels and/or channel feeds available in 167
countries in 32 languages, spanning Disney Channel, Disney XD, Toon Disney,
Playhouse Disney, Disney Cinemagic, Hungama, GXT, Jetix and Radio Disney
brands. Through cable, satellite and digital terrestrial television channels
and a strategic partnership with Disney-ABC-ESPN Television for the
third-party distribution of Disney-branded kids' programming across the
globe, Disney branded content reaches hundreds of millions of viewers around
the world.

About Jetix:

Jetix Europe is majority-owned by The Walt Disney Company. It is one of
the leading European kids' entertainment companies with localised television
channels, programme distribution and consumer products businesses in Europe
and the Middle East.

Jetix Europe's 14 Jetix television channels deliver a unique combination
of comedy and action for kids aged 6-14, in 58 countries and 19 languages,
reaching over 52 million households. In addition the company runs GXT, a
pay-TV channel in Italy targeting teenage boys.

Jetix Europe is part of the global Jetix kids' entertainment alliance
launched by Jetix Europe and The Walt Disney Company in 2004. Disney-ABC-ESPN
Television services the distribution of Jetix channels in Europe and the
Middle East, as well as its programming to free TV platforms.

For further information, please contact:
Joss Hastings at Disney Channel
Tel: +44(0)208-636-4544
Email: joss.hastings@disney.com

Source: The Walt Disney Company Ltd

For further information, please contact: Joss Hastings at Disney Channel, Tel: +44(0)208-636-4544, Email: joss.hastings@disney.com

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