Corus Entertainment and Disney/ABC Television Group Join Forces in Landmark Licensing Agreement

Corus secures Canadian licensing rights to Disney Channel's content

Corus to launch Disney Channel TV Network in Canada for the first time

TORONTO, April 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B), one of Canada's leading media and entertainment companies, today announced a groundbreaking, long-term licensing agreement with the Disney/ABC Television Group that marks a new chapter for kids and family entertainment in Canada. Under the terms of this expansive agreement, Corus secures English- and French-language rights to Disney Channel's world-class content and becomes steward of the brand with the launch of Disney Channel in Canada.

Scheduled to debut on September 1, 2015, Disney Channel will give Canadian kids and families full access to Disney Channel's slate of high profile and popular shows such as K.C. Undercover, Girl Meets World, Austin & Ally, Liv and Maddie and many others. The agreement also includes authenticated simultaneous streaming and ad-supported video-on-demand rights for select programs airing on the channel, allowing fans to catch-up on episodes of their favourite series. Following the launch of Disney Channel in the fall, select Disney branded kids linear television offerings will also be rolled out in the future as those brands and programming are transitioned to Corus.

This multi-year agreement expands on the relationship between Corus and the Disney/ABC Television Group that began in 2011, when Corus announced the launch of its millennial-targeted service ABC Spark, based on Disney/ABC's hugely successful ABC Family channel in the United States.

"We are very excited to take our partnership with the Disney/ABC Television Group to the next level, and proud to be forging a new course for the iconic Disney Channel brand in Canada," said Doug Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corus Entertainment. "With an extensive roster of exceptional content to tap into, we look forward to delivering the full Disney Channel experience to families across the country. This deal underscores our commitment to provide Canadians with the highest quality content from around the world and reinforces our position as Canada's market leader in kids and family-focused offerings."

"With this licensing agreement, we couldn't be more pleased to expand upon our highly valued and significant relationship with Corus Entertainment by bringing the Disney Channel brand -- along with its hit programs and franchises -- under their purview in the Canadian marketplace," added Janice Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution. 

In the United States, Disney Channel is a top-performing destination for kids, geared towards ages 6-14.  The 24-hour kid-driven, family-inclusive television network is available in over 96 million U.S. homes and watched by millions of viewers on Disney Channels around the world.

About Corus Entertainment
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company that creates, broadcasts and licenses content across a variety of platforms for audiences around the world. The Company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing, children's animation and animation software. Corus' brands include YTV, TELETOON, ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), HBO Canada, Historia and Séries+, as well as Nelvana, Kids Can Press, Toon Boom and 39 radio stations including CKNW AM 980, Rock 101, Country 105, 630 CHED, Fresh Radio, JUMP! 106.9, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at corusent.com. 

About Disney/ABC Television Group
Disney/ABC Television Group is composed of The Walt Disney Company's global entertainment and news television properties, owned television stations, and radio stations. This includes ABC Entertainment Group, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations Group, Disney Channels Worldwide, Radio Disney and ABC Family, as well as Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution and Disney Media Distribution. The Company's equity interest in Hulu, A&E Networks and Fusion round out the Group's portfolio of media businesses. 

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SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.

Image with caption: "Corus Entertainment Inc./Disney Channel (CNW Group/Corus Entertainment Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150416_C8577_PHOTO_EN_14353.jpg

Image with caption: "Disney Channel (CNW Group/Corus Entertainment Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150416_C8577_PHOTO_EN_14346.jpg

Sally Tindal, Communications, Corus Entertainment, [email protected], 416.479.6109; Netta Rondinelli, Communications, Corus Entertainment, [email protected], 416.479.6443; Kim Harbin, Communications, Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution, [email protected], 818-560-5056