BURBANK and SAN JOSE, California – October 12, 2005 – The Walt Disney Company, Disney•ABC Television Group and Apple today announced they are offering current and past season episodes of ABC and Disney Channel television shows for download on Apple’s iTunes Music Store, as part of the launch of iTunes 6.
The companies will start this collaborative initiative with five shows, including two of the most popular series on broadcast television, ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost”, as well as the new ABC drama “Night Stalker,” and the two most popular shows on Disney Channel, “That’s So Raven” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”. Current season episodes of the ABC series will be available for download from Apple’s iTunes Music Store the day after they are broadcast, while the entire first season of “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost” will be available for download immediately.
Current season episodes of Disney Channel series will be available for download on an ongoing basis, with selected past episodes of “That’s So Raven” and “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” available beginning immediately. Customers can purchase and download current episodes or past season episodes with just one click and view them on their PC or Mac, and Auto-Sync them onto the new iPod for viewing anywhere.
“This initiative is a perfect example of us applying our strategic priorities, namely, marrying great content with cutting edge technology to more effectively distribute our content while enhancing the experience for our customers,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “For the first time ever, hit primetime shows can be purchased online the day after they air on TV.”
“Disney and Apple are offering customers a new and exciting way to experience television,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “To be able to download your favorite TV shows right from iTunes for just $1.99 and then watch them on your computer and iPod is revolutionary.”
The ABC Television Network scored six Emmy wins at the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards — bringing ABC’s Emmy total to a broadcast network-topping 16. “Desperate Housewives” Felicity Huffman won her first Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Charles McDougall won Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. “Lost” was named Outstanding Drama Series and J.J. Abrams received an award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.
Disney Channel’s “That’s So Raven” has become the most successful franchise in the history of the channel. The first original series in the Channel’s history to reach 100 episodes, “That’s So Raven” has already spawned successful apparel and accessories lines, a vibrant music line, and a popular gaming line. A fragrance and cosmetic line was also recently introduced, along with a line of electronics. “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” has quickly joined “That’s So Raven” as one of the most popular series in the history of Disney Channel.
With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as integrated Podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online. The iTunes Music Store features more than two million songs from the major music companies and over 1,000 independent record labels, 10,000 audiobooks, gift certificates and exclusive music not found anywhere else online.
Pricing & Availability iTunes 6 for Mac and Windows includes the iTunes Music Store and is available as a free download immediately from www.apple.com/itunes. Purchase and download of songs from the iTunes Music Store for Mac or Windows requires a valid credit card with a billing address in the country of purchase. Television shows are available in the US only for $1.99 per episode.
About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company, had annual revenues exceeding $30 billion in its most recent fiscal year, and a market capitalization of nearly $48 billion as of October 11, 2005.
About Disney•ABC Television Group
The Disney•ABC Television Group is home to all of The Walt Disney Company’s worldwide entertainment and news television properties. The Group includes the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel’s Worldwide portfolio of kids channels, ABC Family and SOAPnet; as well as television production and syndication divisions Touchstone Television, Walt Disney Television Animation, Buena Vista Television and Walt Disney Television International. Disney•ABC Television Group also manages the Company’s equity interest in Lifetime Entertainment Services, A&E Television Networks and E! Networks cable groups.
About Apple
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.