Disney Forms New Global Distribution Division

BURBANK, June 20: In the
wake of Laurie Younger’s decision to retire as the president of Disney-ABC
Worldwide Television in January 2008, The Walt Disney Company is forming a new
global television distribution division under Ben Pyne.

Until her retirement, Younger
will assist in transitioning to the new structure and will be available to
provide counsel to the management team. “This decision was not arrived at
lightly, nor is it one that comes without some real sadness regarding the
amazing people I’m leaving behind,” Younger said in a statement. “For 20-plus
years, I have had the privilege of touching every aspect of the television
business and now seems the appropriate time to start the next chapter and
explore some new avenues.”

Pyne will serve as the
president of global distribution for Disney-ABC Worldwide Television and Disney
Media Networks, effective immediately. He reports to Anne Sweeney, the co-chair
of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney-ABC Television Group, and to Alan
Bergman, the president of The Walt Disney Studios. For U.S. responsibilities
concerning ESPN, Pyne will continue reporting to Sean Bratches, the executive
VP of sales and marketing at ESPN and ABC Sports. He will also work closely
with Andy Bird, the president of Walt Disney International. Pyne, previously
president of Disney & ESPN Networks affiliate sales and marketing, will
assume chief responsibility for the international distribution and sales of the
Disney library. This includes feature films, television series, kids’
programming, made-for-TV movies, mini-series, news documentaries, TV animation
and direct-to video content, to all platforms. He will also oversee U.S.
distribution of the company’s television content handled by Disney-ABC Domestic
Television, and will assume responsibility for the ABC Television Network’s
affiliate relations department.

As part of the new
structure, David Preschlack has been promoted to executive VP of Disney &
ESPN Networks affiliate sales and marketing, with oversight of Pyne’s previous
areas of responsibility, including direction of all affiliate distribution,
affiliate relations, affiliate marketing and local ad sales for the U.S. cable
and satellite networks of The Walt Disney Company. He will also be in charge of
U.S. distribution of related HDTV, broadband, video-on-demand, subscription
video-on-demand, interactive television, pay-per-view, Spanish-language, and
sports syndication products.