John Lasseter spoke in depth abut the upcoming slate of disney animated films on day four of the D23 Expo. This article does a good job of summarizing all of the announcements he made.

John Lasseter, chief creative officer, Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Animation Studios, made several announcements regarding upcoming animated motion pictures while presenting at the Odeon Leicester Square in London (9/10/09) and at the D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center (9/13/09).

The news coming out of Lasseter’s presentations at both events include:

Timothy Dalton, Ned Beatty, Bonnie Hunt, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeff Garlin and John Morris joining the talented voice cast of Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 3 along with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, Laurie Metcalf, R. Lee Ermey, Jodi Benson and Michael Keaton. Directed by Lee Unkrich and produced by Darla K. Anderson, this comedic and heartwarming adventure in Disney Digital 3D(TM), brings moviegoers back to the world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters as Andy prepares to leave for college. “Toy Story 3″ opens in theaters June 18, 2010.

Walt Disney Pictures’ Rapunzel has found its lead voice in singer/actress Mandy Moore (“Saved,” “American Dreamz”) starring in the title role along with Zachary Levi (hit TV series “Chuck,” “Big Momma’s House 2″) as the dashing bandit. This action-packed, swashbuckling, animated musical comedy about the girl behind 70 feet of magical, golden hair who takes off on a hilarious, hair-raising escapade with the help of a dashing bandit directed by Byron Howard and Nathan Greno, produced by Roy Conli with music by Alan Menken. This Disney Digital 3D(TM) adventure opens in theaters Holiday2010.

Disney-Pixar’s Cars 2 combines thrills, intrigue and high octane comedy as Lightning McQueen and his trusty-but-rusty friend Mater race across five countries – England, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – where they face a host of new and worthy competitors. “Cars 2″ is being directed by the producer of the Oscar-winning animated feature “Ratatouille” Brad Lewis and produced by Denise Ream. This Disney Digital 3D(TM) race begins in theaters June 24, 2011.

The fifth film in Disney’s enormously popular fairy film franchise is Tinker Bell and the Race through the Seasons. Veteran Disney writer/producer/director Bobs Gannaway (“Stitch! The Movie,” “House of Mouse”) is set to direct. The second entry in the popular direct-to-DVD and Blu-ray series, “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure,” is due for release on October 27th, 2009. In this latest adventure, all the fairy talents compete in a challenging and traditional leap year race through the four seasons of Pixie Hollow. With Tinker Bell’s help, Clank and Bobble enter the race and all the hopes of the Tinkers rest on their shoulders. But the pressures of competition and Bobble’s desire to impress a beautiful lightning fairy threaten Clank and Bobble’s longtime friendship. In the end, will Bobble place winning a race above losing a best friend?

Winnie the Pooh marks the first time in more than 35 years that a feature film staring Disney’s beloved characters is being produced at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Under the supervision of John Lasseter and producer, Clark Spencer (“Lilo & Stitch,” “Bolt”) the movie is due out in theaters spring 2011. Steve Anderson (“Meet the Robinsons”) and Don Hall (head of story on “The Princess and The Frog”) will co-direct this heart-warming motion picture that reunites five stories from the original books by A.A Milne with Disney’s classic, hand-drawn art style. Tidbit: Burny Mattinson, who worked as an animator on the original “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” featurette in 1964, will serve as the lead story artist on the project.

“Unidentified Flying Mater,” the latest in a series of Disney-Pixar animated shorts called Cars Toons, is set to debut on Friday, November 20th on Disney Channel, Disney XD, and ABC Family. Directed by Academy Award(R)-winner John Lasseter with Rob Gibbs co-directing, the film stars Lightning McQueen’s loyal pal, Mater. Additional shorts – “Monster Truck Mater,” “Heavy Metal Mater,” and “Tokyo Mater” will debut in 2010.

I got to see “Unidentified Flying Mater” and “Heavy Metal Mater” at the Expo. UFM in particular is a great short.

ALL NEW DISNEY PIXAR “CARS TOONS” REV UP AND ROLL OUT
ON DISNEY CHANNEL, DISNEY XD AND ABC FAMILY
BEGINNING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20

– Award-winning Composers Mark Mothersbaugh (“Devo”)
and BT Score Four Episodes –

All-new episodes of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars Toons,” an animated short series directed by Academy Award©-winner John Lasseter with Rob Gibbs co-directing and starring Lightning McQueen’s rusty friend Mater, will debut beginning FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 on Disney Channel, Disney XD and ABC Family. They are titled “Unidentified Flying Mater,” “Monster Truck Mater,” “Heavy Metal Mater” and “Tokyo Mater.”

Mark Mothersbaugh (“Devo”) composed the music for three episodes and BT (“The Fast and the Furious”), a prominent composer of dance and electronic music, scored “Tokyo Mater.”

(Editors please note: photos are available on disneychannelmedianet.com; disneyxdmedianet.com and abcfamilymedianet.com)

The four new stories follow the popular shorts that began debuting in October 2008 and which have reached 22.9 million Kids 2-11, or 56% of all kids in that age group in the U.S., and 67.5 million total unique viewers.

“Cars Toons” are directed by John Lasseter, (“Cars,” “Toy Story 2,” “A Bug’s Life” and “Toy Story”) and co-directed by Rob Gibbs (“Cars,” “Finding Nemo,” “Monsters, Inc” and “Toy Story 2″). Kori Rae (“The Incredibles” and “Monsters Inc.”) is the producer. Victor Navone (“Cars,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo” and “Monsters, Inc.”) co-directed the episode “Tokyo Mater.”

In “Unidentified Flying Mater,” premiering Friday, November 20 on Disney Channel, Mater meets a cute little bucktoothed UFO named Mator, takes him out for a night of fun and they quickly become best friends. But when Mator is captured by the military, Mater and Lightning McQueen come to the rescue.

Subsequent episodes to premiere in 2010 are:

“Monster Truck Mater”
Mater is a professional wrestler who works his way up the ranks from amateur to World Champion Monster Truck Wrestler, wrestling all kinds of characters along the way. When faced with his biggest opponent yet, Mater tags in his “tag team partner,” Frightening McMean.

“Heavy Metal Mater”
Mater is a rock star in a heavy metal band. He starts out in a garage band and rises to the top with his hit song, “Dad Gum.” Lightning McQueen joins him on stage in the middle of a huge concert and they rock into history.

“Tokyo Mater”
A routine towing assignment lands Mater in Tokyo, where he is challenged to a drift-style race against a nefarious gang leader and his posse of ninjas. With the help of his friend, “Dragon” Lightning McQueen, and some special modifications, Mater attempts to drift to victory and become “Tow-ke-O Mater, King of all Drifters.”

About “CARS”
Directed by Academy Award©-winner John Lasseter, “Cars” was the 2007 Golden Globe winner for Best Animated Feature Film and an Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Music – Original Song. The film also won the 2007 Grammy Award and was the #1 animated film on DVD for 2006. Its soundtrack was the first Pixar soundtrack to debut in the Billboard Top 10 and to certify gold.

Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2,” directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film “Ratatouille,” will hit the track on June 24, 2011 and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters. In this thrilling new high-octane installment of the “Cars” saga, all the world’s a racetrack as superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe’s fastest and finest. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades. While racing through England, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, they face a host of new and worthy competitors.

Disney•Pixar’s “Cars” is among the fastest growing franchises for Disney Consumer Products, has a presence at Disneyland Resort where a new Cars Land, a 12-acre world of Radiator Springs with three new attractions, will debut at Disney’s California Adventure in 2012.

This year, Disney Online launched the World of Cars Online (www.WorldOfCars.com), a virtual world that allows fans to immerse themselves in Radiator Springs and beyond, to interact with other players and to create an online community alongside their favorite characters including Lightning, Mater and Doc.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

I’m not convinced that Marvel’s worth $4 Billion, but it’s certainly a good addition to the company.

I can already see Spider Mickey Merchandise. LOL

Walt Disney Co. (DIS) agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment Inc. (MVL), the creator of Spider-Man and thousands of other characters, for about $4 billion.

The deal marks one of the largest acquisitions in Disney’s history and the first big media deal since companies began hoarding cash last fall during the global financial crisis.

It also fits with Disney’s stated strategy of driving revenue from popular content over time across multiple platforms, and it gives the company a boost with young male audiences, where Marvel’s characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor are particularly popular. Disney has shown more strength with females from its properties like Hannah Montana.

Under the agreement, Marvel shareholders will receive $30 a share in cash plus about 0.745 Disney share for each Marvel share. Based on Friday’s closing prices, the deal is valued at $50 per Marvel share, about a 29% premium.

The companies said the amount of cash and stock in the deal will be adjusted at closing so that the value of the Disney stock is at least 40% of the purchase price. Besides shareholder backing, the deal will require antitrust approval.

Miller Tabak analyst David Joyce noted that Disney is paying a steep valuation for Marvel but he views the deal as a “good long-term strategic move” for the company. “This is another sign that confidence is returning to the marketplace,” said Joyce.

Disney shares were down 1.7% at $26.38 in recent trading, while Marvel shares jumped 26% to $48.79.

Marvel has long-term production and distribution deals in place with Disney competitors, including Sony Corp.’s (SNE) Sony Entertainment, News Corp.’s (NWS, NWSA) 20th Century Fox Films and Viacom Inc.’s (VIA) Paramount Pictures, which complicate the company’s strategic position.

(News Corp. is the parent of Dow Jones & Co., publisher of this news service.)

In many cases, it will take years before Disney can garner anything more than licensing fees from some key Marvel characters, but Disney Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs said those revenue are attractive and the company will have the option to produce and distribute Marvel’s content on its own when those deals expire.

“Marvel is worth more inside Disney than outside Disney,” said Staggs.

Marvel Chief Executive Ike Perlmutter called Disney “the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses.”

The comic book maker has been boosting cultural awareness of its characters by continuing to branch out into animated television series and live-action films. However, the company in the spring pushed back its film schedule through 2012 as it looked to build anticipation for its upcoming slate of films.

Marvel’s results have been boosted from its film-production business, and last year was the first year it which it began to produce its own films, taking in all the profits instead of just licensing fees.

In March, it formed an international advisory board made up of business leaders from overseas markets as it looked to expand its global presence.

It’s a little confusing, but what it sounds like is they’re trying to streamline the chain of command. I believe Disney and Hearst previously directly owned half of Lifetime, and now A&E (Which was owned by disney & NBC) owns Lifetime and is itself owned by Disney, NBC, and Hearst.  With a possible requirement that NBC leaves the arrangement in 15 years.

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

A&E Television Networks will acquire Lifetime Entertainment Services in a deal that will consolidate three of the U.S.’s major cable networks.

The deal comes as cable television has been one of the few media outlets to not be walloped by slumping advertising, as the bulk of their revenue companies comes from subscriber fees.

Included in the merger are 10 brands and more than 20 Web sites, with the combined networks expected to reach more than 250 million homes worldwide in more than 40 countries.

A&E is part owned by Walt Disney Co. (DIS) and NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co. (GE), while Lifetime is owned by Disney and Hearst Corp.

Abbe Raven, president and chief executive of AETN, will head up the combined company. Andrea Wong, president and CEO of Lifetime, will continue to run the Lifetime networks and report to Raven. The current leaders of the A&E Network and Biography Channel, as well as History and History International, will continue to run those operations.

Terms weren’t disclosed for the deal, but NBC Universal may opt or be required to exit the venture during the next 15 years. If that happens, Disney and Hearst would be 50-50 co-owners.

Disney and Hearst have been longtime partners, with them owning 80% and 20%, respectively, of cash cow ESPN.

-By Tess Stynes, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2481; tess.stynes@dowjones.com

NEW YORK & BURBANK, Calif., Aug 27, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Disney-ABC Television Group, Hearst Corporation and NBC Universal today announced an agreement for A&E Television Networks to acquire Lifetime Entertainment Services. The parent company will retain the name A&E Television Networks, LLC (AETN), and its subsidiary will retain the name Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to occur in 2009. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Abbe Raven, president and chief executive officer of AETN, will serve as head of the combined company following the closing. Raven has been recognized with numerous industry awards for building some of the most prominent brands in media including A&E Network, History and The Biography Channel, and for spinning them off into successful global franchises. Andrea Wong, president and CEO of Lifetime Entertainment Services, will continue to head the Lifetime Networks and will report to Raven following the closing. Robert DeBitetto, president and general manager, A&E Network and The Biography Channel, and Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager, History and History International, will both continue to report to Raven and run their respective networks.

The new agreement will, upon closing, consolidate three of the nation’s top cable networks under single management while preserving the distinct brand identities of each network. In addition, the combined company will be a global media content company reaching over 250 million homes worldwide in more than 140 countries around the globe. AETN will now include: A&E Network, History, Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Bio, History International, Lifetime Real Women, History en Espanol, Military History and Crime & Investigation Network. Combining the resources, libraries and multiple platforms of 10 brands, including more than 20 Web sites, the new company will be well positioned to create new opportunities for expansion and cross-promotion, as well as build upon the record of success and strengths across a broad variety of audiences, platforms and programming. The combination of these businesses is also expected to yield substantial cost efficiencies.

“We are very proud of the success of these important cable brands and the content created with our partners, Disney/ABC and NBCU,” said Scott Sassa, president, Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. “The new A&E Television Networks better positions each brand to continue to focus on the world-class storytelling and quality original programs they are known for.”

“Consolidating these networks puts a powerful portfolio of distinct brands under the strategic vision of one of the industry’s most innovative and effective leaders,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, and president of the Disney/ABC Television Group. “The new company will be much greater than the sum of its parts, positioning these brands for a new level of success and performance.”

“AETN’s success is the result of a long and very successful partnership involving NBCU, Disney/ABC and Hearst,” said Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment. “This transaction represents the next stage of this partnership and the evolution of some terrific media brands.”

Under the agreement, there are mechanisms by which NBCU may elect or be required to exit AETN over a period of up to 15 years, in which event Disney and Hearst could become 50-50 owners of AETN.

AETN is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary as an international media content company, operating in more than 140 countries around the globe with leading media brands including: A&E Network, History, History International, Bio, Crime & Investigation Network History en Espanol, Military History and a robust consumer products business. AETN is home to many award-winning drama and documentary series and specials including: A&E’s Intervention, The Cleaner, Gene Simmons Family Jewels; and History’s The Link, Battle 360 and Ice Road Truckers. In their target demographic of adults 25-54, both A&E and History are top 10 networks.

Lifetime Entertainment Services (Lifetime Networks) celebrates, entertains and supports women through Lifetime Television and Lifetime Movie Network – the top two women’s networks – Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital, the ultimate digital source for women. Lifetime Television’s series include Project Runway, cable’s leading competition show; Models of the Runway; Army Wives, one of the top-rated original cable dramas among Women 18-49; the critically acclaimed comedic drama Drop Dead Diva; Rita Rocks, and the soon to premiere sitcom Sherri. With such films as the Emmy(R)-nominated Prayers for Bobby and Coco Chanel, Lifetime Television is the number one basic cable network for movie debuts in Women 18+. Lifetime Movie Network is currently one of the industry’s fastest-growing channels. The Company also advocates on a wide range of issues affecting women and their families.

I just received this news from the Dow Jones newswires.

According to just
released data from comScore Media Metrix, Disney Online, which produces the No.
1 ranked community-family and parenting destination on the Web (www.Disney.com),
broke all-time traffic records in July 2009, reaching nearly 34 million unique
visitors and beating the previous all-time record of 32.3 million uniques set in
August 2008. Disney Online traffic was up month-over-month across all key
measurements in July, including unique visitors (+8%), page views (+17%), time
spent (+29%) and average daily visits (21%).

Traffic growth highlights include:

– Strong interest in online games, including increased traffic to Disney
Fairies Pixie Hollow virtual world and interest in a new Phineas and Ferb online
game featured on DisneyXD.com.

– The Disney Channel programming event Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana
drove an 11 percent traffic increase to DisneyChannel.com compared to prior
month, coinciding with the event’s record-breaking TV ratings (9.3 million
viewers, No. 1 telecast across all of cable).

– For the second month in a row Disney Family sites saw double-digit growth,
with an increase of 11 percent over June.

“It’s exciting to see a well-established site like Disney.com continue to break
new traffic records,” stated Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing
director, Disney Online. “Disney’s unmatched online entertainment offerings
combined with an extensive portfolio of family-targeted sites is proving to be a
powerhouse line-up.”

In addition to Web traffic, Disney Online continues to be a leader in the online
video and mobile Web sectors. The site serves nearly 130 million videos per
month and is ranked No. 13 for total videos served among all Web sites. Among
mobile Web sites, Disney.com ranks as the No. 1 entertainment site, with unique
visitors increasing 31 percent and page views increasing 26 percent in July (vs.
prior month).

Overall Disney Online category growth in July included Games (+16% vs. prior
month), TV sites (+11% vs. prior month) Disney Family sites (+11% vs. prior
month) and Travel (+18% vs. prior month).

Sources:

– Traffic: comScore Media Metrix July 2009

– Video: comScore VideoMetrix June 2009

– Mobile: m:metrics June 2009 and internal tracking

Disney 3Q financial results are in. Profits are down, but the company still made a good deal of money.

From the Orlando Sentinel

Walt Disney World’s attendance could be headed for a drop after months of staying afloat despite the deep global recession.

Executives at the Walt Disney Co., reporting financial results for the company’s fiscal third quarter on Thursday, said fourth-quarter room reservations at their U.S. theme parks are running 7 percent behind last year’s pace during the comparable time period.

“It’s a challenging marketplace,” Disney Co. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger said during a conference call. “And we do expect that challenge to continue.”

The comments came as Burbank, Calif.-based Disney reported results that showed the recession continuing to exact a toll across the company’s vast media-and-entertainment portfolio.

Profit fell 26 percent during the three months that ended June 27, dropping from nearly $1.3 billion a year ago to $954 million. Revenue sank 7 percent for the quarter to $8.6 billion.

Excluding one-time charges, Disney earned 52 cents a share, narrowly topping Wall Street estimates.

Television advertising, DVD sales and merchandise royalties all suffered. And the theme parks continued to slump.

Operating profit at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts fell 19 percent to $521 million, while total revenue was down 9 percent to $2.8 billion, despite favorable timing of the busy Easter holiday.

Disney blamed the division’s struggles in part on lower guest spending at Disney World, where widespread discounts eroded average hotel rates and average ticket prices. Combined per-capita guest spending at Disney World and Disneyland fell 6 percent during the quarter compared with a year earlier.

But the discounts again helped Disney sustain attendance levels despite the tough economic environment: Combined attendance at the company’s U.S. parks rose 3 percent from a year ago, with Disney World flat and Disneyland up 10 percent.

Sponsorship income also fell at Disney World, though a spokesman attributed the decline to difficult comparisons from a year ago, when the company benefited from fees paid as part of a contract renewal with JP Morgan Chase for Disney-branded Visa credit cards.

Iger said Disney has commissioned research demonstrating the advantages of using promotions to stimulate park attendance. Among them: A “spike” in consumer’s price-to-value perception of Disney that could encourage return visits.

Further, Iger said, the research showed that discounts have lured travelers who were not otherwise planning Disney vacations. Some stock analysts had expressed concern that the promotions were simply cannibalizing future theme-park business by persuading travelers who were planning to take trips later this year or in 2010 to travel immediately instead.

“We’re attracting people today that would never have come before,” Iger said.

Still, maintaining attendance levels in the months ahead will likely be challenging.

Although company executives said fourth-quarter room reservations are “slightly ahead” of last year’s pace, that is because this year’s fourth quarter includes an extra week, thanks to a quirk in Disney’s fiscal-year calendar. Without that extra week included, combined reservations at Disney World and Disneyland are lagging last year’s pace by 7 percent.

The company did not rule out extending its current discounts or introducing new offers. Consumers, Iger said, are “still out there looking for value. And that’s a fact that we obviously can’t ignore.”

Michael Corty, an analyst who follows Disney for the stock-research firm Morningstar Inc., said the comments indicate that Disney management does not see an imminent recovery for its theme parks.

“I think they’re really being cognizant of the fact that the economy is still soft, and I think they’re staying flexible,” Corty said. “I would assume they’re taking things week-to-week at this point.”

Beyond parks and resorts, Disney also reported continuing struggles for its movie studio, which swung to a $12 million second-quarter loss from a $97 million operating profit a year ago. Although the Pixar film Up was a hit during the quarter, DVD sales fell as titles such as Bedtime Stories and Confession of a Shopaholic fell far short of last year’s National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets and Enchanted.

Operating profit at Disney’s media networks, which include ABC television and ESPN cable, fell 13 percent because of lower advertising sales and a shift in the timing of revenue recognition from sports programming. Operating profit fell 37 percent in Disney’s consumer-products division, though its new interactive-media unit reported a narrower loss compared with a year ago.

D23, launched earlier this year, is the Official Community for Disney Fans.

The name “D23″ pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney’s 85-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a new collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 EXPO in Anaheim, California, September 10-13, 2009.

The D23 EXPO will give Disney fan unprecedented access to never-before-seen movies, TV shows, park experiences, collectibles and more from Sept. 10 to Sept. 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets to the Expo are now available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is discounted for members of D23.

The D23 EXPO spotlight will also shine on Disney Channel’s brightest stars in a can’t miss-special event.

If you are a D23 member, or are planning to attend the expo, please let us know by completing this form.

SDS Webmaster Greg will be in Anaheim and will be coordinating possible meetings for those involved in our movements!

It’s interesting to see the continued assent of power and influance that disney channel shows and Executives have both within and outside of the Walt Disney Company.

Source: Reuters

Disney Channel executives will make their first-ever full programing presentation to retailers on Monday at the International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, in a nod of the cable network’s growing earnings power within the Walt Disney Co.

Disney Channel shows produced a greater share of global merchandise sales for the company in 2008 than any single franchise produced by its movie studios, which also presents its slate at the annual licensing show.

Merchandise inspired by Disney Channel TV programs, led by ‘tween phenoms “Hannah Montana” and “High School Musical” and preschooler hits “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Handy Manny,” reached $3.6 billion in merchandise retail sales in 2008.

“Cars,” the best-selling line inspired by the Disney-Pixar film, peaked at annual sales of $2.5 billion last year and is expected to decline this year, Disney officials said.

Global sales of “Hannah Montana” and “High School Musical” merchandise grew faster in 2008 than any other Disney franchise and outstripped growth for the super-popular Disney Princess line, Disney Consumer Products spokesman Gary Foster said.

The cable network also has promising new franchises in “Sonny With a Chance” and “Wizards of Waverly Place”, which is why the company chose to showcase them “in a greater way”, Foster said.

Growth at the 94 Disney channels worldwide last quarter helped Disney’s cable business to 5 percent growth in operating income in the depths of the global recession.

At the same time, Studio Entertainment, whose upcoming slate of family movies usually dominates Disney’s presentation to the show’s 25,000 international retailers, will take a supporting role this year.

Disney’s studios have performed poorly in recent quarters as hits like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Cars” gave way to duds like “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” “Prince Caspian” and “Bedtime Stories.” The studios’ operating profit plunged 97 percent last quarter.

Disney Channel’s presentation on Monday night focuses plans to support established hits, build up-and-comers and launch new properties, Disney Channel Worldwide President Rich Ross said.

“Our job is …to show people what we are excited about and … the commitment the company has … to tell stories that are popular,” Ross said. “TV has never done what TV is doing.”

Disney Channel plans to announce a fourth season for “Hannah Montana” and to report on the progress of casting for a fourth film in the “High School Musical” franchise, company officials said.

“Sonny With A Chance”, the top TV series among kids 6-11 and tweens, has been picked up for a second season, Disney said.

Wow… 20 years already? I’ve never been to DHS, but I hope to some day soon.

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Rilous Carter, 58, is the vice president for Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary. He spoke Friday with Sentinel staff writer Jason Garcia.

CFB: You took over as the vice president in charge of Disney’s Hollywood Studios a month after it changed its name from Disney-MGM Studios. How has the park changed thematically since then, or has it?

I don’t think it’s changed thematically. I think it’s grown up, let’s put it that way. I think at one time it was the golden age of movies, which was always exciting. But now I think it’s the new entertainment of today. I think it resonates a lot more with our guests today. There are many, probably, of our guests, especially younger guests, who may not even know what it means when you said Disney-MGM Studios. But Hollywood they do understand.

CFB: SeaWorld just opened Manta, and Universal should open Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit soon, both big roller coasters and major new attractions. Disney World’s biggest addition this year is American Idol Experience in the Studios. How does that stack up against the competition?

Well, we continually challenge ourselves to exceed our guests’ expectations. Just to give you an example, this morning we had Kris Allen, the recent winner of American Idol, here. He paraded down Hollywood Boulevard, went to the front of the theater, sang a song, and then surprised guests by coming to the theater. Now guests there are getting autographs, photos and things like that. I think those are experiences that they’ll never forget. And I think what we try to do is really get our guests involved and immerse them in the experiences. Creating experiences for our guests, whether they are on stage singing at the American Idol Experience or getting an autograph from Kris Allen, I think those are the kinds of things that they’ll come back here for again and again.

CFB: You work in theme parks so we have to ask: What’s your favorite ride?

I almost hate to say Toy Story Mania! But you know, actually, some days I’ll go through the Great Movie Ride again. You go through that and it still has that — it tugs at the heart strings. Because you see things that you saw many, many years ago. Whether it’s John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart — I love old Western movies, and I love Humphrey Bogart movies — so I can see those kinds of things and those, to me, are very pleasing. But I like Toy Story Mania! as well. I think because of the fact that everyone can ride Mania, as we call it — Toy Story Mania! — that makes it one of my favorite attractions.

CFB: I understand you used to be general manager for food and beverage at Epcot, where restaurants are some of the biggest attractions. Do you have a favorite meal?

Well, it’s tough to pick a favorite meal. It depends on where you’re going to eat. The catfish with the grits, the Cajun catfish, over at Coral Reef is one of my favorites. And also then I have to go to Le Cellier. There’s no better filet anywhere. You can cut the thing with a fork. Everyone who goes there loves the filet. We sell more filets there than anything.

CFB: You also worked in Cleveland at one point before you joined Disney. So are you a Cavs guy or a Magic guy?

Magic all the way, man. You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m not sleeping, I’m staying up every night watching these games going, “It should be over by now!” … I think it’s been fantastic for the city, especially at a time like this, in this economic downturn.

It’s interesting to see how Disney is expanding it’s content network in Eastern Europe.

Source: TheCelebrityCafe.com

The Hollywood Reporter has stated that this past Tuesday, it was decided that five children’s TV channels in Europe will be changed to the popular programming of the Disney channel later this year. Disney will be claiming the original channel, entitled “Jetix,” in Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, which will increase the viewership of Disney by at least 12 million households.

Giorgio Stock comments in bizjournals.com that the first rebranding of Disney channel in Poland made clear the demand for the type of programs appealing to kids and family values was highly successful and hopes for Disney Channel to become the premier source of entertainment on television for children and preteens.

The programming for the channel in Europe is set to appeal to both the 2-5 and 6-14 age groups, according to MediaPost News. Stations will be specific to each individual market in the country and be dubbed for every dialectic language.