LPWire: ABC Cable Networks Grp, Fox Kids Europe And Fox Kids LA Launch Jetix
ABC Cable Networks Group, Fox Kids Europe And Fox Kids Latin America Launch Jetix As New Global Action-Adventure Kids Programming Business
Fox Kids channels worldwide will be renamed Jetix; Programming blocks in the U.S. to air on ABC Family and Toon Disney
Jetix will reach 137 million television homes worldwide
ABC Cable Networks Group, Fox Kids Europe N.V. and Fox Kids Latin America today announced that they will launch Jetix as the name for their joint kids programming alliance around the world, featuring original, acquired and library action-adventure series, including such globally recognised programs as Power Rangers. Jetix programming will reach a combined 137 million television households in 77 countries and 18 languages.
Jetix-branded programming blocks will debut in the United States in February with morning programming on ABC Family and prime time programming on Toon Disney. Fox Kids channels in Europe and the Middle East will begin airing Jetix programming blocks in April, and will begin transitioning to Jetix-named channels beginning in Autumn 2004. Fox Kids channels in Latin America, including Brazil, will be renamed Jetix in mid 2004.
The unique name Jetix was developed with the goal of finding a word that implied action and adventure and yet could be used in a number of international markets without being a proper name for something else. The international research among children conducted specifically for this project showed that this objective was achieved.
"Jetix will be among the most widely distributed television brands for kids around the world and a showcase for new and existing action-adventure programs, including the new season of the best-known series in the genre, Power Rangers," said Anne Sweeney, President of ABC Cable Networks Group and Disney Channel Worldwide. "Jetix is a strategic, ad-supported complement to Disney-branded television around the world, including our 22 Disney Channels."
Bruce Steinberg, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Fox Kids Europe said: "Jetix propels Fox Kids' offering of high-energy entertainment to a worldwide kids audience. This will strengthen Fox Kids Europe's partnership with Disney and enable us to develop exciting original programming to bring to this expanded audience and continue our success as the leading pan-European kids action-adventure entertainment company. We will build on this new alliance to continue to successfully leverage our programming library through our channels, consumer products, programme distribution and online and interactive businesses."
Commenting on the launch of Jetix, Diego Lerner, President, The Walt Disney Company Latin America, and General Manager, Disney Channel and Fox Kids Latin America, said: "With the successful action-adventure kids programming on Jetix and the superb kids and family programming on Disney Channel, we now have an unparalleled offer in Latin America-a powerful, top quality combination of channels for kids and families in this region, and a perfect venue for advertisers to reach their consumers."
Jetix will celebrate and build upon the success of Fox Kids and will bring its core values of action, adventure, daring, humour and high energy to kids worldwide.
--Posted January 8, 2004
Source: Disney Company Release