MUMBAI: Buena Vista International Television-Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), the international television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, has entered into an agreement with Q.net Co. Ltd., the Vietnamese distribution agent, for a Disney animated series package to launch on Ho Chi Minh Television (HTV), which claims to be the country's second largest broadcaster.
Starting this month, the 30-minute "Toon Disney" branded block will air on HTV7 daily from Monday through Sunday from 6am to 6:30am.
For the first time on Vietnamese terrestrial television, HTV7's young viewers will be able to enjoy a wide range of animated series from Disney including Disney's Mickey Mouseworks, Adventures of Mickey & Donald, Disney/Pixar's Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and Disney's Timon & Pumbaa, informs an official release.
Commenting on the announcement, BVITV-AP senior vice president and managing director Steve Macallister said, "We are delighted to be launching Toon Disney on HTV7 and bringing to Vietnam some of Disney's most celebrated titles. Around the world the Disney brand represents imagination, fun and positive values, so we are confident that young Vietnamese viewers will be excited by these animated series."
HTV's director general, Huynh Van Nam highlighted, "Ho Chi Minh Television was honoured to be the very first Vietnamese broadcaster to run the two channels, Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney on our pay-tv package HTVC since May 2005. And now, once again we are proud to be the first broadcaster to launch Disney's top animated series on our free TV channel - HTV7. We look forward to having Mickey Mouse and Donald join our local children in a new and comfortable playground."
In 2006, Disney's BVITV-AP announced several television licensing deals in Vietnam which include Desperate Housewives, Lost, Alias, Criminal Minds and Ghost Whisperer as well as the first live broadcast of the 78th Annual Academy Awards on HTV7. In November 2005, one of the first Jetix branded animation blocks in Asia Pacific launched on Vietnam Television (VTV).
The Walt Disney Company continues to expand its presence in Vietnam, a strategic market for the Company. In April 2006, Buena Vista International, Inc., The Walt Disney Studios' international theatrical distribution unit, announced its entry to the Vietnam market through a distribution deal with MegaStar Joint Venture Company Limited ("MegaStar"). And in May 2006, Disney Consumer Products and East Media Holdings Inc. (EMHI), via its subsidiary EMHI Licensing Inc., announced a master licensing agreement for consumer products for Indochina, including Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
