Disney-ABC Television Group manages all of The Walt Disney Company's U.S. and global entertainment and news television properties. The group includes the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel’s worldwide portfolio of kids channels (including, among others, Playhouse Disney, ABC Kids, Disney XD, with 100% shares of Jetix Europe), ABC Family, SOAPnet and an 80% share of the ESPN network.

The division oversees television production and syndication divisions ABC Studios (formerly Touchstone Television), Walt Disney Television, Greengrass Productions (though run independently from its other sister companies), Disney-ABC Domestic Television, Disney-ABC International Television and ABC Family Worldwide Inc. Disney-ABC Television Group also manages the Radio Disney Network in addition to the Company’s equity interest in Lifetime Entertainment Services and A&E Television Networks.

[edit] Disney/iTunes video agreement

In a collaborative initiative with Apple, The Walt Disney Company and Disney-ABC Television Group were first to debut episodes of hit TV series via iTunes. At present, the Group current and past season episodes of ABC and Disney Channel television shows for download on Apple’s iTunes Music Store.

The entire first and second seasons of ABC hit dramas Desperate Housewives and Lost, the fifth season of Touchstone Television comedy Scrubs; select episodes of popular Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney and Jetix series including Wizards of Waverly Place, That’s So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana, Kim Possible, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Power Rangers; as well as current episodes of ABC Family's new original series Kyle XY are available to U.S. consumers for purchase.

As well, Disney-ABC Television Group offers an extensive line-up of news, entertainment and audio podcast content on Apple's iTunes Store. Podcast content is now available for free download on the iTunes site in addition to Disney/ABC’s own websites.

On January 22, 2009, Disney-ABC Television Group said it would merge ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios into a new unit called ABC Entertainment Group.^[1][2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Disney-ABC Television Group
• Anne Sweeney bio

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