MUMBAI: A broad range of entertainment programming - features, kids animation, live action series and TV movies - will be brought to viewers of free TV broadcaster ETV in South Africa, through agreements announced by ETV and Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) today, by BVITV vice president sales EMEA Alison Homewood and ETV channel director Bronwyn Keene-Young.

First run features will include the family comedy The Princess Diaries, the drama Behind the Sun and the Oscar Wilde adaptation The Importance of Being Earnest. Also included are Crazy/Beautiful starring Kirsten Dunst and Duets starring Gwyneth Paltrow. For younger viewers, first run titles include Recess: School’s Out, based on the popular Recess animated series and DuckTales: The Movie.

Viewers in South Africa will be able to enjoy repeat features such as The Santa Clause, with Tim Allen as a father who suddenly has to step in as Santa, when the current Mr Claus falls of his roof. Also in this package is the comedy thriller Arachnophobia, starring Jeff Daniels and John Goodman, informed an official release.

ETV will also broadcast a Disney branded show for the first time. Disney Hour, will run on Saturday from 8:30 am – 9:30 am from 6 November 2004, and will showcase a selection of Disney branded kids animation, such as Disney’s Dave the Barbarian, Disney’s Fillmore and Disney’s Teamo Supremo.

In a separate agreement introduced by BVITV; ETV has licensed a range of kids entertainment from the Jetix portfolio of programming, of which BVITV services the distribution. Titles include the fun new animated action series Daigunder and RoboRoach, the humorous animated adventures of two genetically mutated roach brothers - one with superpowers, one with brainpower - who tackle crime while bugging each other! Also included is the animated comedy series Pig City, which tells the story of a teenage pig from the country who comes to live with his spoilt cousins in Pork City.

For BVITV, the agreement was negotiated by Maria Bayman, executive director of sales, strategic markets and Kerry Henchy, sales executive, strategic markets.

Homewood said, “Were sure that this agreement will add some successful new programming to ETV’s daytime and primetime schedules. We’re particularly looking forward to working with ETV on the launch of Disney Hour, and the ongoing development of the show.”