TVNZ Strikes Programming Partnership With Disney (BVI)
TVNZ has signed a free-to-air distribution deal for all Disney television programming with entertainment distributor
Buena Vista International Television (BVI-TV) Asia Pacific (AP).
Under the new multi-year deal, TVNZ will screen first run features and series programming including such box office
sensations as the Mel Gibson hit thriller Signs, the #1 US hit Sweet Home Alabama starring Reese Witherspoon, Spy Kids 2
and Reign of Fire; plus the hit American series 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter and Life With Bonnie.
The announcement was made overnight in Cannes, France, by Doug Miller, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of
Walt Disney Television International - Asia Pacific (WDTVI-AP) at the biannual international television market, MIPCOM.
Miller commented, "We have been working with TVNZ to introduce New Zealand viewers to the wider range of Disney
programming. I am pleased that we can further develop our presence, including the first-ever locally produced and hosted
Disney Club on New Zealand television with TVNZ."
Disney Club will feature the best in contemporary and classic Disney animation and will also include specially created
and locally produced segments tailored for New Zealand kids.
TVNZ Chief Executive Officer, Ian Fraser, said TVNZ was looking forward to working closely with Disney/BVI to bring the
benefits of this exciting partnership to New Zealand viewers.
"We are delighted that Disney, America's premiere entertainment brand has chosen to partner itself with TVNZ, New
Zealand's foremost television network. TVNZ's aim of bringing to its audience the best of local and overseas programming
is greatly enhanced by this key international partnership," he said.