Family OnLine and Playhouse Disney OnLine Launch to Bell TV Subscribers

    
    Full Slate of Disney Programming Available Online From Any Computer at No
    Additional Fee
    

TORONTO, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - Astral Media (TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B) today announced that on November 11 it will launch Family Channel OnLine and Playhouse Disney OnLine - two new broadband services that provide subscribers, who receive their home television service through Bell TV, with the ability to watch Family and Playhouse Disney's programming - featuring a full slate of top-rated Disney original films and series including Hannah Montana, The Suite Life on Deck, Zeke and Luther and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - on their computers at no additional cost.

"It made sense that Family OnLine and Playhouse Disney OnLine would be the next in a succession of online launches for Astral Media given that kids, in particular, enjoy and expect to receive their content on an online platform," said Domenic Vivolo, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Astral Television Networks. "Family has built its brand on the promise of being where kids are and providing the entertainment experiences that kids want. Family OnLine and Playhouse Disney OnLine fulfill this promise and reflect the way in which kids consume content by offering programming that is accessible everywhere, at any time and on any computer."

Family OnLine and Playhouse Disney OnLine are offered on the BellTV OnLine platform which is unique within North America given that it authenticates and grants access to the subscriber, thus enabling users to stream content to their laptop, or any other computer, anywhere in Canada wherever a high-speed connection is available.

Offering a combined average of approximately 160 hours per week, with 25 per cent of the content refreshed weekly, Family OnLine and Playhouse Disney OnLine will leverage its Disney relationship and draw from its original Canadian productions to create the programming line-up for the two services each month. The services reflect the weekly content offering of Family and Playhouse Disney's current Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) services and will offer similar functionality, enabling subscribers to rewind, play, pause and review title descriptions. Titles will be streamed to the subscriber via any high-speed connection.

Available at www.bell.ca/tvonline, Family OnLine will launch with such titles as Hannah Montana, Zeke and Luther, The Suite Life on Deck, Sonny With A Chance and Overruled! Playhouse Disney will offer such titles as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, Franny's Feet and The Secret Life of Benjamin Bear. Both services will add new titles each week.

On October 13, 2009, The Movie Network OnLine was the first of Astral Media's channels to launch an Internet-based streaming service on the Bell TV Online portal.

Family Channel is a premium, commercial-free network offering the best in family television entertainment in 6 million homes across Canada. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a fun experience for all, Family airs a unique mix of series, movies and specials, with a large portion of programming supplied by Disney. Family Channel also offers Family OnDemand in select areas, a Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service, and Family OnLine, an Internet-based content streaming service available to BellTV subscribers, both of which feature hit Disney movies and series, top-rated Canadian series. Visit us at www.family.ca.

Playhouse Disney is a commercial-free, multiplex channel offered to Family Channel subscribers across Canada. Committed to offering engaging, educational and development-based programming for younger children, the channel offers exclusive, first-run programs from Disney together with celebrated Canadian series to create an environment for fun and learning. Playhouse Disney OnDemand and Playhouse Disney OnLine are also offered in certain areas. Visit us at www.playhousedisney.ca.

Family Channel and Playhouse Disney are Astral Television Networks. Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and interactive media. Astral Media's solid and dynamic presence in the country's major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences. For more information about Astral Media, please visit www.astralmedia.com.

SOURCE Astral Media Inc.

For further information: For further information: Deborah Wilson, Vice President, Communications, (416) 956-8558, dwilson@tv.astral.com