Corus secures Canadian licensing rights to
Disney Channel's content
Corus to launch Disney Channel TV Network in
Canada for the first time
TORONTO, April 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment
Inc. (TSX: CJR.B), one of Canada's
leading media and entertainment companies, today announced a
groundbreaking, long-term licensing agreement with the Disney/ABC
Television Group that marks a new chapter for kids and family
entertainment in Canada. Under the
terms of this expansive agreement, Corus secures English- and
French-language rights to Disney Channel's world-class content and
becomes steward of the brand with the launch of Disney Channel in
Canada.
Scheduled to debut on September 1,
2015, Disney Channel will give Canadian kids and families
full access to Disney Channel's slate of high profile and popular
shows such as K.C. Undercover, Girl Meets World,
Austin & Ally, Liv
and Maddie and many others. The agreement also includes
authenticated simultaneous streaming and ad-supported
video-on-demand rights for select programs airing on the channel,
allowing fans to catch-up on episodes of their favourite series.
Following the launch of Disney Channel in the fall, select Disney
branded kids linear television offerings will also be rolled out in
the future as those brands and programming are transitioned to
Corus.
This multi-year agreement expands on the relationship between
Corus and the Disney/ABC Television Group that began in 2011, when
Corus announced the launch of its millennial-targeted service ABC
Spark, based on Disney/ABC's hugely successful ABC Family channel
in the United States.
"We are very excited to take our partnership with the Disney/ABC
Television Group to the next level, and proud to be forging a new
course for the iconic Disney Channel brand in Canada," said Doug
Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corus
Entertainment. "With an extensive roster of exceptional content to
tap into, we look forward to delivering the full Disney Channel
experience to families across the country. This deal underscores
our commitment to provide Canadians with the highest quality
content from around the world and reinforces our position as
Canada's market leader in kids and
family-focused offerings."
"With this licensing agreement, we couldn't be more pleased to
expand upon our highly valued and significant relationship with
Corus Entertainment by bringing the Disney Channel brand -- along
with its hit programs and franchises -- under their purview in the
Canadian marketplace," added Janice
Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and
Television Distribution.
In the United States, Disney
Channel is a top-performing destination for kids, geared towards
ages 6-14. The 24-hour kid-driven, family-inclusive
television network is available in over 96 million U.S. homes and
watched by millions of viewers on Disney Channels around the
world.
About Corus Entertainment
Corus Entertainment Inc. is
a Canadian-based media and entertainment company that creates,
broadcasts and licenses content across a variety of platforms for
audiences around the world. The Company's portfolio of multimedia
offerings encompasses specialty television and radio with
additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting,
children's book publishing, children's animation and animation
software. Corus' brands include YTV, TELETOON, ABC Spark, W
Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), HBO Canada, Historia and Séries+, as
well as Nelvana, Kids Can Press, Toon Boom and 39 radio stations
including CKNW AM 980, Rock 101, Country 105, 630 CHED, Fresh
Radio, JUMP! 106.9, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. A publicly traded
company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B).
Experience Corus on the web at corusent.com.
About Disney/ABC Television Group
Disney/ABC
Television Group is composed of The Walt Disney Company's global
entertainment and news television properties, owned television
stations, and radio stations. This includes ABC Entertainment
Group, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations Group, Disney
Channels Worldwide, Radio Disney and ABC Family, as well as
Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution and
Disney Media Distribution. The Company's equity interest in Hulu,
A&E Networks and Fusion round out the Group's portfolio of
media businesses.
Follow Corus PR on Twitter @CorusPR
SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.