"We have already seen major growth in the Asian television marketplace and the reorganisation of our business in India gives us incredible opportunities to build upon our recent successes in the region," Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) MD Doug Miller said in a statement today.

"India, as one of the largest markets in Asia, and the fastest growing television market, is central to all of our plans," the statement, quoting Miller, said, adding, "We continue to be optimistic about this growing marketplace and believe that a local presence is essential."

In India, Walt Disney Television International provides feature films, live action series and reality shows to Star Movies, AXN and HBO and also contributes 29 hours per week of children’s programmes to Doordarshan, Eenadu, SET India, Star Plus and Star World.

Disney and Modi Entertainment Network, a KK Modi controlled company, recently decided to part ways after years of having a joint venture here.

Walt Disney Television International (WDTV-I) is responsible for all of The Walt Disney Company’s free and pay television activities outside the US. These activities include branded and non-branded program distribution through Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), production and broadcasting, and the development and management of Disney Channels and other media investments.

WDTV-I is renowned for its locally produced entertainment through both Disney Channels and terrestrial branded programmes. Each Disney Channel provides unique quality programming specifically designed for its local audience and entirely dedicated to kids and their families.

With 80 branded shows per week in 60 countries, WDTV-I’s branded programming reaches 500 million viewers around the world each week. The Walt Disney Company was the first US studio to adopt a local approach to production by tailoring content to specific audiences.

Licensed Disney titles in India include Aladdin, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and Mickey and Friends. FKE (Fox Kids Europe) and BVS animated series include Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Spiderman Unlimited, X-Men and Robocop.

Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the distribution arm of Walt Disney Television International, licenses over 18,000 hours of programming annually, plus 5,500 hours from the FKE (Fox Kids Europe) and BVS portfolios, to international video-on-demand, pay-per-view, pay and free television, and new emerging technological platforms across 240 territories.

BVITV distributes a wide array of internationally successful series from Walt Disney Television and Touchstone Television; animated films from Walt Disney Pictures; feature films from Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films plus ABC News Programming; television specials such as the Annual Academy Awards; and the recently acquired FKE and BVS library.

Major Hollywood blockbusters, series and reality show titles licensed in India include The Sixth Sense, Gone in 60 Seconds, Mission to Mars, Unbreakable, Shanghai Noon, Alias, Home Improvement and The Amazing Race.