Astral to launch Playhouse Disney Canada New Channels / Astral Media Inc. Posted by RAD on Sep 24, 2007 - 07:53 AM Astral Media’s Family Channel today announced the launch of Playhouse Disney Canada, a multiplex channel targeting young children. Launching November 30, 2007, the channel will feature entertaining and development-based programming from Disney, together with celebrated Canadian series. Building on the well-known Disney brand and leveraging a vibrant legacy of characters such as Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, Playhouse Disney will give Family Channel a platform to better serve its younger audiences by providing entertainment that kids want, coupled with the commitment to safe, development-based programming that parents demand. In addition to programming from Disney, the channel will also broadcast high-quality, original Canadian content such as Franny’s Feet, The Secret World of Benjamin Bear and King. As such, Family will reinforce its commitment to programming for young children, providing Canadian independent producers with further opportunities in the licensing and commissioning of programming and generating broader exposure for Canadian series. “Playhouse Disney Canada represents a broadening of the highly successful partnership that has existed between Family and Disney for the last 20 years and extends the successful model pioneered by Family Channel of bringing the highly sought after and immensely entertaining programming of Disney together with exceptional and award-winning Canadian series,” said Joe Tedesco, Vice President and General Manager of Family Channel. “Playhouse Disney Canada is an extension of the Family Channel entertainment experience and we are confident that Playhouse Disney will resonate with younger children and become a destination for fun and entertaining programming that is engaging, unique and family friendly.” “We are pleased to be partnering with Family Channel to bring the Playhouse Disney brand and programming to Canada,” said Rich Ross, President, Disney Channel Worldwide. “Playhouse Disney will offer programming that is unique to the Canadian market and geared towards furthering childhood development by making learning a playful, fun experience through engaging characters, storytelling and music.” As a multiplex channel, Playhouse Disney will be available only to Family Channel subscribers. It is confirmed that the channel will launch November 30 on ExpressVu Digital TV from Bell, with other Canadian distribution deals to be announced imminently. This article is from CHANNEL CANADA   http://www.channelcanada.com/ The URL for this story is:   http://www.channelcanada.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1986