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Disney Channel Announces Plans To Launch 'Toon Disney' Via Scientific-Atlanta PowerVu Digital Video System
New cable channel set to launch on April 18
ATLANTA, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Disney Channel has selected a PowerVu(R) digital video compression system from Scientific-Atlanta to launch Toon Disney, its new 24-hour, basic cable channel featuring animated television programming. Toon Disney launches on April 18, the 15th anniversary of Disney Channel. With this announcement, Disney joins a growing list of major cable networks who plan to launch both analog and digital channels in 1998. In published reports, MTV Networks, Lifetime, and Discovery Channel have said they plan to begin digital service in 1998.
Digital compression enables Disney to use existing satellite transponder space more efficiently by squeezing several channels into the satellite space previously required to send a single channel. Toon Disney will be offered to cable systems as a companion to Disney Channel. Plans call for Toon Disney to present a wide range of Disney television animated series including "The Little Mermaid," "Gummi Bears," "New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," and "Darkwing Duck," as well as classic Disney cartoon shorts.
"Without a doubt, Disney-branded programming is some of the most recognized and prestigious in the entertainment business," said Sam Lim, vice - president for programmer networks for the Satellite Television Networks business unit at Scientific-Atlanta. "Our ability to enable E! Entertainment Television to use a PowerVu system for a time-shifted West Coast feed to deliver its primetime programming to viewers at the appropriate local time was a significant step in strengthening our relationship with Disney/ABC Cable Networks. Our performance on that critical project demonstrated our ability to deliver a reliable solution designed to meet a critical programming need."
The PowerVu system at Disney's Burbank, California location is capable of delivering six digital channels, but initial plans call for Toon Disney to be the only channel carried over the forward-looking installation. Disney/ABC Cable Networks has said it plans to launch additional digital channels in the future.
"The PowerVu system provides us with the flexibility of delivering other digital channels or possibly time-shifted versions of Toon Disney," said Vince Roberts, vice president, engineering and operations for Disney Channel. "This system meets Disney Channel's and Toon Disney's needs now and into the future."
As cable operators elect to add Toon Disney to their program lineup, speedy access to PowerVu Commercial Satellite Receivers will be essential. To meet this requirement, Scientific-Atlanta has developed a network of distributors with regional locations which can ship the receivers directly to the cable system to ensure fast, convenient availability of the equipment to provide the new service.
Major cable networks have announced plans for the launch of digital channels in what the industry calls the "digital tier" as cable begins to increase digital programming to complement its current analog channels. Scientific-Atlanta's support for the digital tier was underscored by the recent announcement that the company's Explorer(R) 2000 interactive digital set-top terminal had been selected by Cox Cable, Adelphia Communications, Marcus Cable, MediaOne, and three major Canadian operators, Rogers Cablesystems Ltd., Videotron ltee and Cogeco, for deploying Scientific- Atlanta's Digital Interactive Network in 1998. Time-Warner Cable and Comcast Cable have already announced their intention to use the Scientific-Atlanta terminal, bringing the total to nine major MSOs -- with a total subscriber base of approximately 33 million -- who have plans to introduce two-way, real- time digital services this year with Scientific-Atlanta's Digital Interactive Network and Explorer 2000 interactive digital set-top terminals. |
