Disney forms integrated golbal television distribution division

The Walt
Disney Company has formed an integrated Global Television Distribution unit,
following the announcement that Laurie Younger, President, Disney-ABC Worldwide
Television, will retire at the end of her contract in January 2008.
Through that date, Ms. Younger will assist in transitioning to the new
structure and will be available to provide counsel to the management team.

In
commenting on Ms. Younger’s decision to retire, Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair, Disney
Media Networks & President, Disney-ABC Television Group, and Dick Cook,
Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios, stated, “For the past two decades, Laurie
has worked tirelessly on behalf of The Walt Disney Company, and, while it pains
us to see her go, we applaud her decision and wish her all the best going forward.”

Ms.
Younger added, “This decision was not arrived at lightly, nor is it one that
comes without some real sadness regarding the amazing people I’m leaving
behind. For 20-plus years, I have had the privilege of touching every
aspect of the television business and now seems the appropriate time to start
the next chapter and explore some new avenues.”

The new
unit will combine several existing distribution-focused departments under the
leadership of Ben Pyne who has been named President, Global Distribution,
Disney-ABC Worldwide Television & Disney Media Networks, reporting to Ms.
Sweeney and Alan Bergman, President, The Walt Disney Studios. For
domestic responsibilities concerning ESPN, Mr. Pyne will continue reporting to
Sean Bratches, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, ESPN and ABC
Sports. He will also work closely with Andy Bird, President, Walt Disney
International. The appointment is effective immediately.

In this
new role, Mr. Pyne, who formerly served as President, Disney & ESPN
Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing, will assume chief responsibility for
the International distribution and sales of the far-reaching portfolio of
entertainment and news content produced by The Walt Disney Company. This
includes all feature films, television series, kids’ programming, made-for-TV
movies, miniseries, News documentaries, TV animation and direct-to video
content – and their distribution to all platforms, including the burgeoning
video-on-demand (VOD) and broadband markets. He will also oversee
domestic distribution of the Company’s television content handled by Disney-ABC
Domestic Television, and will assume responsibility for the ABC Television
Network’s Affiliate Relations department.

In
commenting on his announcement, Ms. Sweeney stated, “I’ve had the pleasure of
working alongside Ben for the past 10 years, and there is no one better suited
or more deserving of this enormous responsibility. He is a consummate
professional, a fantastic dealmaker, and a great manager.”

Mr. Bergman added, “This is an exciting time for content distribution across
various platforms and we are confident that Ben will help keep Disney at the
forefront of the industry.”

“I’m
honored that the Company has entrusted me with this amazing opportunity, and
I’m looking forward to getting started. Laurie has built an amazingly
rich division with incredibly talented people already in place and I look
forward to working alongside each of them as we continue to build a world-class
distribution and sales team,” commented Mr. Pyne.

As part of the new structure, David Preschlack has been promoted to Executive
Vice President, Disney & ESPN Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing,
with oversight of Mr. Pyne’s previous areas of responsibility, including
direction of all affiliate distribution, affiliate relations, affiliate
marketing and local ad sales for the U.S. cable and satellite networks of The
Walt Disney Company: ABC News Now, ABC Family, Disney Channel, SOAPnet, Toon
Disney, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD
and ESPNU. He will also be in charge of

U.S.
distribution of related HDTV,
broadband, video-on-demand, subscription video-on-demand, interactive
television, pay-per-view, Spanish-language, and sports syndication products.
In this position, Mr. Preschlack will continue to report to Mr. Pyne and will
work closely with Mr. Bratches on all ESPN-related affiliate matters.

“David is
an exceptionally talented, strategically-minded executive with a rich history
at the Company. He is the ideal person to take over and lead the
distribution efforts for our portfolio of

U.S.
cable and satellite networks and
related products,” said Mr. Pyne. “He has been a catalyst behind the many
distribution gains and promotional initiatives that have made the Disney &
ESPN Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing team an industry leader in recent
years.”