Disney Channel Now in More Than 100 Million Homes Across Europe, the Middle East & Africa

LONDON, January 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Disney Channel Turkey free-to-air launch propels channel to new milestone

20^th international version of Disney Channel hit format Quelli Dell'Intervallo (As The Bell Rings) is announced

Disney Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) today announced that Disney Channel's distribution has passed 100 million households in the region, having trebled in just 3 years. Today's launch of Disney Channel Turkey on Free Sat boosted the channel's reach by 11 million homes to pass the major milestone.

Disney Turkey celebrated the launch with the announcement of the 20^th local version of short form sitcom Quelli dell'Intervallo, which originated in Italy and is now a proven hit on all 5 continents. Locally produced with the title Zil Çalınca it will launch on the channel in April and is set to star ten talented young Turkish actors.

"Our strategy is to make Disney Channel available as widely as possible and reaching 100 million households across EMEA is a true testament to the quality and universal appeal of our programming. We're committed to complementing our fantastic line up of global hits with locally produced series starring local talent, like Quelli Dell'Intervallo now a global success story in its own right. Extending the reach of Disney Channel across Turkey is another demonstration of our commitment to this important market," commented Giorgio Stock, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Content Group (Disney Channels, Music, Publishing, Gaming and Online) The Walt Disney Company EMEA.

Disney Channel offers original, engaging programming for kids and families, ranging from live action and animated series to movies. Its programming reflects Disney core values and themes (express yourself, follow your dreams, celebrate family, believe in yourself), which resonate with kids and tweens around the world.

Disney Channel Turkey will offer viewers a compelling mix of programming targeting kids 2 - 14 and their families. From today viewers in Turkey only need a satellite decoder to access the home of hit live action series including Shake It Up, A.N.T Farm and Wizards of Waverly Place, original movies such as the High School Musical series, Good Luck Charlie: The Road Movie and Lemonade Mouth and popular animations including Phineas and Ferb, Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Quelli Dell'Intervallo (Zil Çalınca) was developed by Disney Channel's European production hub,  which was established to drive the creation of programmes and formats for international distribution and local adaptation in individual markets. The show has been one of its most successful formats to date and has now been recreated in 20 countries worldwide including the US, UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Australia.

About Disney Channels EMEA

Disney Channels EMEA represents the most successful portfolio of kids' channels in Europe, Middle East and Africa with 60 channels* available in 118 countries and in 23 languages. Disney Channel properties continue to rapidly expand into new markets across the region playing a key role in introducing the Disney brand to new consumers.

Globally, the portfolio of channels under Disney Channels' Worldwide management are available in 169 countries/territories**, with 69 visual feeds, in 35 languages. This represents a total of 101 channels.

*Please note: A channel is defined based on customization. A channel is counted separate if: 1) there's a separate visual feed or 2) a dedicated language (is a language feed that is targeted to a specific country, however if there are two or more languages in the same country or countries with the same visual feed, it is still one channel).

** APAC references markets not countries but for consistency we will define them as countries. American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands are US territories.

About The Walt Disney Company Turkey:

The Walt Disney Company (TWDC), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: studio entertainment, media networks, consumer products, interactive media group, and parks and resorts.

The first Turkish office for Disney was set up in 1996, with specific responsibility for merchandise licensing and has since grown to encompass Disney's broad business areas including movies, home entertainment, television distribution, music and online. Disney's #1 Turkish box office hit is Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with a gross box office of over $7.2 million. Other recent Disney successes include Cars 2 becoming the top animated Disney title with a gross box office of $3.6 million to date.