Disney Junior Will Launch Saturday, July 14 to Millions of DIRECTV Customers Nationwide
BURBANK, Calif. & EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
DIRECTV and Disney have reached a new agreement to add Disney Junior, a
24-hour channel expressly for kids age 2-7 and their parents/caregivers,
to DIRECTV's programming lineup beginning tomorrow on channel 289.
Disney Junior launched in 2011 as a daytime programming block on Disney
Channel and expanded to a 24/7 channel in 2012. It is one of the most
sought after channels by DIRECTV customers and will be permanently added
to their programming options as a basic channel.
Disney Junior's animated and live action programming blends Disney's
unparalleled storytelling and beloved characters with learning
components, including early math and language skills, as well as healthy
eating and lifestyles, with an emphasis on social and emotional
development. The original series include "Jake and the Never Land
Pirates," "Doc McStuffins," "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "A Poem Is…,"
"Handy Manny," "Little Einsteins" and "Special Agent Oso." Disney Junior
also airs Walt Disney Studios' and Pixar's classic and contemporary
animated films, as well as Disney's many non-theatrical sequels so
popular with children and parents.
"When it comes to children and families, nobody has the tremendous
programming to compare with Disney," said Derek Chang, executive vice
president of Content Strategy and Development for DIRECTV. "Our
customers have been clamoring for us to add Disney Junior since they
first heard about the concept, and DIRECTV is happy to place our trust
in Disney as a partner in building this exciting new family service."
"We are pleased to reach this agreement with DIRECTV to provide Disney
Junior's high quality, valuable and family-friendly programming to their
customers," said David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney &
ESPN Affiliate Sales and Marketing. "We know parents are passionate
about having top quality television options for their families, and now
millions will be able to watch outstanding preschool programming on a
24/7 channel unlike any other on television. With the addition of
DIRECTV, the 24-hour Disney Junior channel has distribution agreements
that cover approximately 55 million U.S. households."
Disney Media Networks' flagship Disney Channel is fast becoming the most
popular programming service among DIRECTV homes. The number of children
viewers aged 2 through 11 has surged more than 19 percent in the past
year alone, and total viewership has increased 15 percent during those
same 12 months. Disney Junior will now take a place in the DIRECTV
channel guide directly adjacent to Disney Channel at channel 289.
About DIRECTV: DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's
leading providers of digital television entertainment services
delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art
technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service
to 33 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S.,
DIRECTV offers its 19.9 million customers access to more than 170 HD
channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to
exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award
winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading
cable companies for 11 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its
subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina,
Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the
pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an
unrivaled digital television experience to 12 million customers. DIRECTV
sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports
Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 60
percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date
information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.
About Disney Junior:
Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers
have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and
contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney
experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters,
while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed
for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled
storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including
early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social
skills. Disney Junior launched in February 2011 with a daily programming
block on Disney Channel. In its first year, Disney Junior posted the
network's biggest yearly audience in the daypart in Total Viewers, Kids
2-5, Boys 2-5 and Women 18-49, increasing by double-digit margins among
preschooler demographics over year-ago levels. On March 23, 2012 Disney
Junior added a cable and satellite channel in the U.S. bringing the
total number of channels to 30 worldwide.
DIRECTV
Robert Mercer, 310-964-4683
rgmercer@directv.com
or
Darris
Gringeri, 212-205-0882
dagringeri@directv.com
or
Disney/ABC
Television Group
Karen Hobson, 818-569-7789
Karen.Hobson@disney.com
or
Disney
Channel
Patti McTeague, 818-955-6743
Patti.McTeague@disney.com
Source: DIRECTV
News Provided by Acquire Media
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