Astral’s popular children’s channel, Playhouse Disney, will launch today with Rogers Communications Inc. as part of the Rogers Digital VIP cable package on channel 68. Dedicated to providing the best in engaging, educational and entertainment-based series and short-form content for younger children, Playhouse Disney programming will also be available to Rogers subscribers on Family On Demand, launching on October 12, 2010, and on Rogers On Demand Online.

“We are thrilled to bring Playhouse Disney to Rogers subscribers on all platforms and to expand our Family Channel linear offering to the on demand and online environment,” said Joe Tedesco, Vice President and General Manager, Family Channel and Playhouse Disney. “A multiplatform offering is supremely important to kids who want their content where they want and when they want. The ability to offer the premium Disney content and popular Canadian titles that kids want to a broader base of families is important to maintaining Astral’s leadership position in children’s entertainment and indicative of Rogers commitment to providing the best programming possible to their subscribers.”

Playhouse Disney offers exclusive, first-run programs from Disney together with celebrated Canadian series to create an environment for fun and learning. Programs on the network include Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent Oso and Handy Manny. Leading the home-grown series on the channel are The Secret World of Benjamin Bear and the new series Stella and Sam, based on the acclaimed novels by Canadian author Marie-Louise Gay, which premieres on the network in January.

With Family On Demand and Family On Demand Online available to subscribers at www.rogersondemand.com, Rogers customers can watch Family programming favourites including Disney movies and series such as Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life on Deck and Phineas and Ferb any time of the day. Popular Canadian series including Wingin’ It, Life with Derek and Overruled! are also available on Rogers On Demand and Rogers On Demand Online platforms.

Astral’s popular children’s channel, Playhouse Disney, will launch today with Rogers Communications Inc. as part of the Rogers Digital VIP cable package on channel 68. Dedicated to providing the best in engaging, educational and entertainment-based series and short-form content for younger children, Playhouse Disney programming will also be available to Rogers subscribers on Family On Demand, launching on October 12, 2010, and on Rogers On Demand Online.

“We are thrilled to bring Playhouse Disney to Rogers subscribers on all platforms and to expand our Family Channel linear offering to the on demand and online environment,” said Joe Tedesco, Vice President and General Manager, Family Channel and Playhouse Disney. “A multiplatform offering is supremely important to kids who want their content where they want and when they want. The ability to offer the premium Disney content and popular Canadian titles that kids want to a broader base of families is important to maintaining Astral’s leadership position in children’s entertainment and indicative of Rogers commitment to providing the best programming possible to their subscribers.”

Playhouse Disney offers exclusive, first-run programs from Disney together with celebrated Canadian series to create an environment for fun and learning. Programs on the network include Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent Oso and Handy Manny. Leading the home-grown series on the channel are The Secret World of Benjamin Bear and the new series Stella and Sam, based on the acclaimed novels by Canadian author Marie-Louise Gay, which premieres on the network in January.

With Family On Demand and Family On Demand Online available to subscribers at www.rogersondemand.com, Rogers customers can watch Family programming favourites including Disney movies and series such as Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life on Deck and Phineas and Ferb any time of the day. Popular Canadian series including Wingin’ It, Life with Derek and Overruled! are also available on Rogers On Demand and Rogers On Demand Online platforms.