Jetix Europe, Disney in Distribution Deal

AMSTERDAM/LONDON,
June 9: Jetix Europe has inked an agreement with an affiliate of its majority
shareholder, The Walt Disney Company, for the distribution of its channels and
digital content across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), effective
July 1.

Under
the agreement, the distribution of Jetix channels in the region will now be
serviced by Disney-ABC International Television's (DAIT) newly integrated TV
distribution business.

DAIT
already services program sales for Jetix content to free-to-air broadcasters
globally. The new deal will strengthen this partnership, which currently
represents the kids’ networks Disney Channel, Disney Cinemagic, Playhouse
Disney and Toon Disney, as well as the sports services ESPN Classic and NASN.
DAIT's responsibilities will span all platforms, including cable and satellite,
as well as digital services such as IPTV and pay per view.

Paul
Taylor, the chief executive of Jetix Europe, said: "The new deal with DAIT
will allow us to benefit from Disney's strong market presence in all of our key
territories. Channel distribution is a key revenue stream for us and I am
confident that being part of this first class integrated distribution operation
will deliver significant benefits over the medium to long term."

Tom
Toumazis, the executive VP and managing director of DAIT in EMEA and Canada,
added: "This agreement completes the EMEA integration of our channel and
program distribution assets and teams, to better serve our international
clients and deliver value for our company, adding Jetix channels to the unique
brand strength of Disney and ESPN channels."

—By Irene Lew