Disney-ABC Domestic Television Archives - Chip and Co

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Disney to launch new channel ABC Spark in Canada

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 Chip No comments

Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) and Corus Entertainment today announced that they have entered into an expansive licensing agreement to launch ABC Spark, a dedicated millennial-focused channel and multi-platform offering, in Canada in Spring 2012. The channel will build on the foundation that DATG has created with ABC Family, its incredibly successful millennial brand in the U.S. This deal marks the first time in history that these two companies have entered into this type of licensing agreement for a 24-hour channel.

ABC Spark will be a destination for Canada’s young adult millennial viewers, telling stories that matter most to this audience while utilizing the technology millennials rely on to connect to their world in a corresponding multi-platform offering. The agreement was brokered by Disney-ABC Domestic Television with Corus Entertainment.

“We are very pleased to work with Corus in bringing ABC Family’s well-known, popular programming into the Canadian marketplace,” commented Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

“We are thrilled to partner with Disney/ABC Television Group and to announce the launch of ABC Spark in Canada, a network with values and attributes that align with our own,” said Doug Murphy, president, Corus Television. “Bridging the gap between our kids and women’s networks, ABC Spark will be a national service with compelling programming directed at the fast-expanding millennial generation.”

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Disney to launch new channel ABC Spark in Canada

Regis Philbin Announces Retirement From ‘LIVE! with Regis and Kelly’

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 Chip No comments

Regis Philbin announced today that he will be retiring from the very successful, long-running talk show “LIVE! with Regis and Kelly.” Philbin made the announcement live on-air this morning during the Host Chat portion of the show.

As Philbin stated to the viewers this morning, “This will be my last year on this show. It’s been a long time, it’s been 28 years since I’ve been here… There is a time that everything must come to an end…” Referring to his remaining time on the show he added, “We’ll have a lot of fun between now and then.”

Regis Philbin is a legend in the entertainment industry, a hall of fame broadcaster with more than 50 years in front of the camera. “LIVE! with Regis and Kelly” premiered in national syndication in 1988 as “Live with Regis & Kathie Lee.” The show debuted locally in 1983 on WABC New York as “The Morning Show.” A three-time Emmy Award winner, Philbin was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2008.

“It has been my great honor to work with Regis since the Walt Disney Company nationally syndicated ‘LIVE’ in 1988,” said Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television. “Regis is one of the great, iconic television personalities of our time and we couldn’t have asked for a better friend and partner over the years. We will all certainly miss having Regis be a part of our day.”

The “LIVE” franchise will continue, and in the coming months Disney-ABC Television Group will name a new co-host to join the talented and captivating Kelly Ripa – who celebrates ten incredible years co-hosting with the show, next month.

While 2011 will be a year of great change for “LIVE,” it will also be a time of incredible excitement as the show sends Philbin off in style. In the coming months, “LIVE” will welcome top guests and feature special segments, all part of the countdown to the spectacular farewell celebration for the incomparable Regis Philbin.

“WABC is proud to be the home of ‘LIVE! with Regis and Kelly,’ and it will be difficult to say goodbye to Regis after 28 years as a member of our family,” commented Dave Davis, president and general manager, WABC. “We will miss him as a colleague and friend. We’re fortunate, however, to have two real pros who can lead ‘LIVE’ into the future – Kelly Ripa, who has spent the last ten years developing her own amazing voice in daytime talk, and Michael Gelman, who has been with the show since its inception and is one of the best executive producers in daytime television.”

“LIVE” began when Regis Philbin created “The Morning Show” for WABC in his native New York City; it soon became the number one show in the market. Kathie Lee Gifford joined him in June 1985 and in September 1988, the program debuted in national syndication and the title was changed to “Live with Regis & Kathie Lee.” The show matched its local success with extraordinary national ratings and established itself as a dominant fixture in national television, a tradition that continued when Ripa joined the show in 2001.

For nearly 25 years, “LIVE” has been an essential stop for the top names in the entertainment industry. From award-winning actors to the hottest musical acts, the show boasts A-list celebrity guests, top-notch musical performances and one-of-a-kind segments that are unrivaled on daytime television.

Currently in its 23rd season in national syndication, “LIVE! with Regis and Kelly” is executive produced by Michael Gelman, and is distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. Produced by WABC-TV in New York, “LIVE” airs in more than 200 markets across North America.

Regis Philbin Announces Retirement From ‘LIVE! with Regis and Kelly’

Netflix and Disney-ABC Television Group Announce Deal to Stream Shows

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 Chip 5 Comments

Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) and Disney-ABC Television Group today announced a new licensing agreement between the two companies that will allow Netflix to stream hundreds of episodes from the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel and – for the first time – ABC Family over the Internet.

The agreement, brokered by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, will add significantly to the growing selection of movies and TV episodes that can be streamed from Netflix. Once made available to Netflix from Disney-ABC – which, for relevant programming, will be no earlier than 15 days after initial telecast – episodes can be streamed instantly with Netflix memberships starting at $7.99 a month.

Among the highlights, Netflix members will be able to enjoy:

Prior season episodes of current ABC hit series “Grey’s Anatomy,” ”Desperate Housewives” and, for the first time on Netflix, “Brothers & Sisters,” all of which are among the network’s most successful and popular TV franchises in recent years.
Every episode of recent ABC favorites “Lost” and “Ugly Betty,” the latter making its streaming debut at Netflix.
Each season of several hit series from ABC Studios, including “Scrubs” and “Reaper,” which are both new additions to Netflix.
A host of content from the Disney Channel, including the hits “Phineas and Ferb” and “Good Luck Charlie,” which are also new to Netflix; updated and expanded offerings of “The Suite Life on Deck” and “Wizards of Waverly Place;” and library offerings from the smash hits “Hannah Montana” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.”
A wide range of content from ABC Family, marking the introduction of ABC Family content streaming from Netflix. Included are the hit series “Greek,” “Make It or Break It,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “Melissa & Joey.”

“TV content streamed from Netflix has proven to be immensely popular with our members,” said Ted Sarandos, the company’s chief content officer. ”Adding to our existing Disney-ABC lineup with great network and cable shows, and opening up ABC Family for the first time, are important steps in creating a wide and diverse selection of content Netflix members of all ages can watch.”

In addition to the hundreds of TV episodes included in the agreement, Disney Channel and ABC Family movies such as “High School Musical,” “High School Musical 2,” “Camp Rock,” and “Beauty & the Briefcase,” as well as new releases “Avalon High,” “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” and “Revenge of the Bridesmaids,” will also be available to watch at Netflix.