LPWire: DIS Channel Returns To Basic Programming Package on DIRECTV Latin America

Disney Channel Returns To DIRECTV, On The Basic Programming Package
As Of Tomorrow, January 15, DIRECTV Latin America Adds Disney Channel To Its Basic Programming Line-Up Across The Region

As of tomorrow, January 15, Disney Channel will rejoin the programming line-up on DIRECTV Latin America's basic distribution.

Diego Lerner, president of The Walt Disney Company-Latin America and general manager of Disney Channel and Fox Kids Latin America, said, "This is great news to begin the year. Both companies have worked intensely to reestablish the service and satisfy consumer expectations. This launch propels the expansion of Disney Channel in its new stage as a basic channel and greatly increases the number of subscribers who can now enjoy the magic of Disney throughout Latin America."

Larry N. Chapman, president of DIRECTV Latin America, LLC, commented, "We are very pleased to have Disney Channel back on our channel line-up. DIRECTV Latin America wanted Disney's excellent programming back as part of its offer, and this is now a reality. DIRECTV Latin America subscribers can now enjoy Disney's high-quality, family-friendly programming. This new addition to DIRECTV's basic line-up is yet another indication of our commitment to our subscribers."

Disney Channel will become immediately available to 1.3 million subscribers in the region excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the U.S. version of the Disney Channel is already available.

Disney Channel has an exciting programming line-up planned for January that is packed with fun. During the "Wonderful World of Disney" block every Sunday evening, the channel presents fabulous films for the entire family to enjoy, such as "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins"; "Inspector Gadget's Last Case"; and "Air Bud 4: Seventh Inning Fetch."

On January 24, Disney Channel premieres the second season of the popular series "That's so Raven," starring Raven Symone. The first episode of the second season will air during a special premiere prior to the programming marathon called "Your Visions of Raven." In keeping with the special powers of the star's show, Disney Channel invites its audience to try out their skill at psychic powers and predicting the future by voting on www.disneylatino.com and www.disney.com.br to determine which of the episodes will be seen in the marathon.

Every weekend at noon, Disney Channel airs a new segment of "Disney Princesses" featuring two animated series whose stars are princesses: Jasmine in "Aladdin" and Ariel in Disney's "Little Mermaid."

And as always, the channel continues to air its stellar original productions created specially for the local markets: "Playhouse Disney," "Zapping Zone," "Disney Planet" and "Disney's Art Attack."

Disney Channel Network

Launched in July 2000 for Spanish-speaking Latin America and in 2001 for the Brazilian territory, Disney Channel presents a variety of original and acquired programming, airing 24 hours a day, for kids 2 to 14 years-old and their families. The channel broadcasts four exclusive original productions: "Playhouse Disney," "Zapping Zone," "Disney Planet" and "Art Attack"; in addition to cartoons; series; feature films; Disney's animated hits; and special events.

Disney Channel includes daily blocks of programming created specifically to satisfy the tastes of Latin American families, from the youngest children to pre-teens and adults. These are: "Playhouse Disney," an original production for pre-school kids and their caregivers, with shows such as "Book of Pooh," "Stanley" and "Rolie Polie Olie"; "Toon," with kids' favorite animated characters, such as "House of Mouse" and "Buzz Lightyear: Star Command"; "Tween," which includes "Zapping Zone," an original production, as well as hip series for pre-teens and teens, such as "Lizzie McGuire" and "Kim Possible"; and "Family," a block especially designed for the entire family to watch with hit movies, such as "Monsters, Inc." and "The Sleeping Beauty," as well as other Disney animated classics. The channel has the support of two websites, www.disneylatino.com (Spanish) and www.disney.com.br (Portuguese). Press can received additional information on our specialized websites: www.disneychannelpack.com (Spanish) and www.disneychannelpack.com.br (Portuguese).

Disney Channel was created and launched by Walt Disney Television International-Latin America. WDTVI-LA is responsible for the free and pay television business in Latin America, including sales, production and development of programs, and the development and administration of the Disney Channel and Fox Kids, as well as other international broadcasting investments.

DIRECTV Latin America

DIRECTV is a leading direct-to-home satellite television service in Latin America and the Caribbean. Currently, the service reaches approximately 1.5 million customers in the region, in a total of 28 markets. DIRECTV is currently available in: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela and several Caribbean island nations.

DIRECTV Latin America, LLC is a multinational company owned by DIRECTV Latin America Holdings, a subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corporation; Darlene Investments, LLC, an affiliate of the Cisneros Group of Companies, and an affiliate of Grupo Clarin. DIRECTV Latin America and its principal operating companies have offices in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Cali, Colombia; Mexico City, Mexico; Carolina, Puerto Rico; Fort Lauderdale, USA; and Caracas, Venezuela. For more information on DIRECTV Latin America please visit www.directvla.com.

Hughes Electronics Corporation is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment, broadband satellite networks and services, and global video and data broadcasting.

--Posted January 15, 2004
Source: DIRECTV Latin America