Astral launches French-language Playhouse Disney Channel with Bell TV
TORONTO,
Astral Media (TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B) today announced that it will launch a French-language version of the
Playhouse Disney channel. Featuring entertaining and learning-based programming for younger audiences,
this service will feature popular programming from Disney together with celebrated Canadian series. The
channel will be available to Bell TV subscribers across Canada on July 5.
"Building on the well-known Disney brand and the vibrant legacy of characters such as Mickey Mouse,
Playhouse Disney has proven to be a popular destination for engaging, learning-focused and fun
programming for families in English Canada. As such, Astral chose to build on this strong brand and
leverage its long-standing relationship with Disney to launch Playhouse Disney under our existing preschool
licence," said Marie Collin, Senior Vice President Programming and Communications, Canal Vie, VRAK.TV
and Ztélé.
"Playhouse Disney programming is already available throughout the world in a multitude of languages so
the introduction of this service is a logical next step for our business and a natural extension of Astral's
commitment to providing relevant, appropriate and highly entertaining programming to families across
Canada," added Dominique Cornellier, Vice President Marketing and Communication, Astral Tele Reseaux.
"With the debut of the French-language channel, francophone families will now also have the opportunity to
enjoy the exclusive and quality programming that Disney is known for, all in a safe and commercial-free
environment. The service will also provide an opportunity to showcase the best in Canadian
programming including the newly developed series Stella and Sam, based on the popular books by Quebec
writer Mary-Louise Gay."
Kevin Crull, President of Bell Residential Services, said: "Bell is
very happy to be the first television provider to offer a French-language
Disney channel in Canada. By offering such entertaining and in-demand
content to Canadians coast to coast, along with leading services such
as remote PVR, the best HD PVR and the most HD channels, Bell
continues to deliver an unparalleled TV experience."
Playhouse Disney will air popular Disney shows including La maison de Mickey
(Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), Les Zic-Magines (Imagination Movers) and Agent
Spécial Oso (Special Agent Oso). Original Canadian productions such as
Maggie et la Bête Féroce (Maggie and the Ferocious Beast), Elliot et ses
amis (Elliot the Moose) and Les Doodlebops (The Doodlebops) and the newly
developed Stella and Sam will also have pride of place on the new network.
Playhouse Disney is a commercial-free channel available in French and English to subscribers across
Canada. Committed to offering engaging, educational and development-based programming for younger
children, the channel offers exclusive, first-run programs from Disney together with celebrated Canadian
series to create an environment for fun and learning. Visit us at www.playhousedisney.ca.
Playhouse Disney is a member of the Astral family. Astral is one of Canada's largest media companies. It
operates more than 100 of the country's most popular pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home
advertising and digital media properties. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by
offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and
advertisers. To learn more about Astral, visit www.astral.com.
About Bell
Headquartered in Montréal, Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and
business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell
Internet, Bell TV direct-to-home satellite television, Bell Home Phone local and long distance phone
services, and IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell is proud to
be a Premier National Partner and the Exclusive Telecommunications Partner to the Vancouver 2010
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For information on Bell's products and services,
please visit www.bell.ca. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca.
For further information:
Mylène Racine, Communications Coordinator, Astral Télé Réseaux,
(514) 939-5001 ext. 3237, mracine@tele.astral.com;
Marie-Eve Francoeur, Bell Media Relations,
514) 391-5263,
Marie-Eve.Francoeur@bell.ca
SOURCE Bell TV