(2 April 2009 11:00 pm)

MUMBAI: In line with Disney’s strategic priority of leveraging new media technologies in the global consumption and delivery of its content, Disney-ABC-ESPN Television has announced a transactional and subscription video-on-demand deal with Dutch cable broadcaster, Ziggo.

The agreement will allow viewers to enjoy the series, Lost and Grey’s Anatomy. Apart from these, viewers can also watch animated series from Jetix Europe and new and library features from The Walt Disney Studios.

Under the agreement, Dutch viewers will be able to rent, via video-on-demand, films such as High School Musical 3: Senior Year,and “National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

Also available is Disney/Pixar’s Wall-E. In addition, a number of animated series from Jetix Europe will be available as part of the agreement.

Younger viewers can enjoy Yin Yang Yo!, which follows the antics of a brother and sister – cute, hyper-kinetic tween rabbits – who must temporarily put aside their sibling rivalry when faced with creatures intent on destroying the world.

Also available will be Pucca which follows the daughter of a Chinese restaurant owner and her comical and single-minded pursuit of her one true love, Garu, a dedicated ninja student.

The agreement was closed by Disney-ABC-ESPN Television’s Ruth Clarke, director - new media distribution and Simon Barwick; senior manager - programme & channel distribution, Israel & Benelux; and Marcel Nijhoff, chief commercial officer for Ziggo.

Disney-ABC-ESPN Television Europe, Middle East, Africa and Canada senior VP, new media distribution Maria Kyriacou says, “We’re delighted to be working with Ziggo to offer viewers in the Netherlands access to our content-on-demand, with a guaranteed high quality viewing experience - providing the flexibility to watch some of the best movies and series available at a time to suit them.”

Adds Ziggo manager content Yoram Levi, “We are happy to include the titles of The Walt Disney Studios in our interactive TV offer. This will make our proposition even stronger this year, in which Ziggo will be launching interactive Television.”