"Disney's ongoing commitment to local content development underpins our strategy to connect with new audiences around the world," said Mr. Jason Reed, general manager, Walt Disney Studios International Production. "Our local team has done an amazing job and we are fortunate to be building on the Disney Channel's success by working with a world class cast and crew led by our producer Janet Yang and visionary director Shi Zheng Chen.

"The choice of the right stories and best local partners is key to the success of our localization strategy. Shanghai Media Group and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation are leaders in their field and their involvement and contribution to this project is invaluable," added Mr. Reed.

In 2007, the Studio's first Disney branded local co-production, the award-winning, "The Magic Gourd" was released, followed by "Roadside Romeo" from India in 2008, "Trail of the Panda" (China 2009) and the feature film, "Book of Masters" (Russian 2009), based on a classic Russian fairy tale which opened in first place at the box office in October. Disney's sixth local production "Zokkomon" is currently in development in India and is expected to open in 2010.

"Chinese audiences enjoy great storytelling. "Disney High School Musical: China" promotes classic values of teamwork, optimism, friendship, pride and the spirit of self discovery which have made HSM a worldwide phenomenon and further cements Disney's position as a family entertainment brand in China," said Mr. Stanley Cheung, executive vice president and managing director, The Walt Disney Company Greater China.

"Disney High School Musical: China" is being filmed in Shanghai and features six new young stars drawn from across China.

Ms. Yang Wenhong, head of SMG's Film and TV Drama Centre said, "High School Musical is a brand recognized and is beloved by kids and families globally. For SMG, this is a whole new experience to develop a China version by working with Disney and Huayi Brothers. Through our collaboration, we hope we can also bring the musical genre to movie goers here as well."

"Disney HSM: China is destined to pioneer a new genre for young Chinese moviegoers by seamlessly combining the art forms of dance, music and film together with valuable themes like teamwork, youthful energy and friendship," said Huayi Brothers Media Corporation President James Wang.

CHEN SHI-ZHENG (director), one of China's leading stage and film directors, most recently helmed "The Coronation of Poppea" for English National Opera. His other Western operatic credits include "Vespers of 1610," "Orfeo" (a nominee for a Laurence Olivier Award), "Cosi fan Tutte," "Dido and Aeneas," and "The Flying Dutchman." Born in Changsha, Hunan, China, Chen made his directorial debut in 1996 with "The Bacchae" for the China National Beijing Opera Company. In 1999, his landmark 19-hour production of "The Peony Pavilion" was hailed as one of the most important theatrical events of the Twentieth Century. Additional directing credits include the operas "Monkey: Journey to the West," "Orphan of Zhao," "Snow in June," "Peach Blossom Fan," and "Night Banquet." His first feature film, "Dark Matter," was an official entry at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Alfred P. Sloan Award. In 2000, Chen was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.

JANET YANG (producer) has worked in the film industry for more than two decades, played an important role in bringing Hollywood films to China, and been associated with some of the best known directors and actors in the world. From 1989 - 1996, she served as president of Ixtlan, the company she ran with Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone, and spearheaded all aspects of the company's development and production. Prior to that, she worked closely with Steven Spielberg and his Amblin Entertainment as a production executive at MCA/Universal. While at Universal, she initiated the project "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story." Representing several of the top Hollywood Studios, she brokered the sale of the first American movies sold in the Chinese Market. Named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Hollywood" by the Hollywood Reporter, and featured in articles in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Variety, Harper's Bazaar, Yang's resume also includes Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun," Milos Forman's "The People vs. Larry Flynt," and Wayne Wang's "The Joy Luck Club." She continues to produce films under her long-time banner, "The Manifest Film Company."

About The Walt Disney Company in China

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a diversified international family entertainment enterprise with five business segments and is a Dow 30 company with revenues of nearly $38 billion in its most recent fiscal year. Our first animation screened in China in the 1930s and today our long association continues with offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou with over 600 employees.

About High School Musical

Disney's "High School Musical" premiered in January 2006 on Disney Channel U.S. and posted the highest ever ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie at the time. It went on to become a smash hit internationally, airing on Disney Channels and free-to-air broadcasters worldwide. To-date, it has reached more than 290 million viewers, in over 30 languages, across 100 countries including India, China and Russia. The "High School Musical" soundtrack was the #1 album of 2006 and the DVD was the year's #1 TV movie on DVD. "High School Musical" also delivered licensed amateur and professional touring stage productions, a best-selling junior novel, a popular consumer products franchise at mass retailers, a themed show at Disneyland Parks and Resorts in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris, and a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America. Its critically acclaimed sequel, "High School Musical 2," ranks as the #1 basic cable telecast of all time (18.6 million viewers for its August 17, 2007 premiere) and thus far has been seen by nearly 300 million total viewers, in over 30 languages, around the world. The "High School Musical 2" soundtrack is triple Platinum and its DVD release was the top-selling TV property on DVD for 2007. Walt Disney Pictures debuted "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" in October 2008. Its premiere weekend box office sales marked the highest debut ever for a musical and for a live-action G-rated film and it grossed $250 million at the worldwide box office. Disney Channel will bring the franchise back to television with the debut of "High School Musical East Meets West" in 2011.

About Shanghai Media Group

Shanghai Media Group (SMG) is the second largest media conglomerate in China and one of the most influential players in the Chinese-language media and entertainment group. SMG has the most complete portfolio of media and related businesses including television, radio, print media, new media, content distribution, performing arts, movie and film investment and production, home shopping, education and training.

SMG operates 13 TV channels, 11 radio frequencies, 9 newspapers and magazines, 30 digital TV channels (16 nationwide and 14 in Shanghai local areas) and broadband Internet TV, mobile TV and IPTV. SMG's prime-time TV and radio penetration rates top 70% and 90% respectively in Shanghai, and has become the largest content and service provider and distributor of Chinese language programs in China.

About Huayi Brothers Media Corporation

Founded in 1994, the Huayi Brothers Media Corporation is now the biggest privately-owned media and entertainment group in China. It gained approval in October 2009 for its listing on China's Growth Enterprise Market, and was the first entertainment company to receive IPO approval in China. Its diversified lines of business include: film production and distribution, TV series production and distribution, talent management, music production, theatrical exhibition etc.

Huayi Brothers' film production arm is known for its market-oriented approach to filmmaking and distribution. In recent years, it produced titles such as "A World Without Thieves," "The Banquet," "Assembly," "The Forbidden Kingdom," "If You are the One" and "The Message," which all won critical acclaim and topped the Chinese box office charts.

SOURCE Walt Disney Studios

Skyrunners follows teenage brothers Tyler and Nick Burns who commandeer a small UFO that crashes near their town. Soon Tyler develops superhuman abilities and the brothers are pursued by the enigmatic Agent Armstrong of the National Space Security Command. When Tyler and Nick uncover an ominous alien plot it's up to them to save Earth from destruction. Linda Kash (Cinderella Man, Full-Court Miracle), Conrad Coates (Kyle XY), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (The Bold and the Beautiful) and Canadian Nathan Stephenson (Degrassi: The Next Generation) also star.

Skyrunners is directed by Ralph Hemecker (Witchblade) and written by Richard C. Okie (Quantum Leap, Earth: Final Conflict) who also executive produced. The alien creatures featured in Skyrunners are designed by the Academy Award(R)-winning Weta Workshop (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia).

Skyrunners is the kind of high-quality, exclusive title from Disney that Canadian families have come to expect from Family. Family Channel's broadcasts of the best of Disney consistently draw record numbers of viewers, contributing to Family's number-one status with 8-14 year olds for five years running(1). Recent ratings successes include the Canadian premiere of the Disney original movie Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie, which was the second-highest non-sports broadcast on Canadian specialty television(2) when it aired in August 2009, and the Fall 2009 premiere of Zeke and Luther, which became the highest-rated series premiere ever on Family Channel(3).

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 that features hit Disney movies and series, top-rated Canadian series and Playhouse Disney programming. Visit us at Family.ca.

Family Channel is an Astral Television Network. 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.

    <<
    NOTE: Skyrunners star Kelly Blatz will be in Toronto on
          Tuesday, November 24 for media interviews, subject to availability.

    For access to Family Channel's media room, please visit
    http://tv.astral.com

    (1)  Source: BBM Mark II Sept 2004-August 2009, PPM Wks 1-10 0910
    (2)  Source: BBM/NMR (Infosys Mark II): P2+ AMA Total Canada 928,300 -
         August 28 - 8:00 p.m. ET/PT - Family Channel. Confirmed data.
    (3)  Source: BBM/NMR (Infosys Mark II): P2+ AMA Total Canada 587,400 -
         August 28 - 9:30 p.m. ET/PT - Family Channel. Confirmed data.
    >>

SOURCE: Family Channel

SOURCE: News - Media

SOURCE: ASTRAL MEDIA INC.

Geneviève Parent at (416) 956-8547 or gparent@tv.astral.com

The Princess and the Frog toys have also captured industry praise as the Disney Princess Tiana Just One Kiss doll tops FunFare magazine's "Holiday Hot Dozen" and the Toys"R"Us "Fabulous 15" holiday lists. The doll was also recently nominated for the "2009 Girls Toy of the Year" award by the Toy Industry Association. Sales of the Princess Tiana Just One Kiss doll are up by over 150% and industry and media have reported it could be among this Holiday season's sell-out toys.

The Princess and the Frog introduces Disney's newest princess character in more than 10 years and the first African-American Disney princess. The product line from Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is supporting the film with a wide range of products spanning toys, fashion, home decor, food, personal care, beauty, stationery, books and an assortment for adults including collectibles, art, bridal wear and couture fashion.

"Generations of little girls have experienced the enchanting and magical stories of the Disney Princess characters. Now, with Princess Tiana, as the first new princess in a decade, they will experience a new adventure, woven by the master story-tellers at Disney. This modern-day princess character must muster her determination and perseverance as she faces and overcomes her challenges, providing little girls with another inspiring role-model," stated Reyne Rice, Toy Trend Specialist at the Toy Industry Association.

"It is typical with any major Disney film to see movie-inspired product available as early as six weeks prior to the film's release, and the same is true for The Princess and the Frog," stated Mary Beech, vice president franchise development and marketing for Disney Consumer Products. "However, the historic nature of the release of The Princess and the Frog film has generated tremendous consumer excitement well in advance of the film -- and sales thus far have been very strong, something that is remarkable for characters with which fans are not yet completely familiar."

The Princess and the Frog is also a hit on the social media circuit, as well: DCP is taking fans and families behind the scenes with an exclusive The Princess and the Frog YouTube video series that premiered today on its channel www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving. The series will provide an inside look at how some of the most interesting products came to life and will release new videos weekly leading up to the national release of the film on December 11th. From never-before-released footage such as interviews with Anika Noni Rose http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0npCpcxaBc, film voice for the Princess Tiana character, to the unveiling of the Princess Tiana wedding gown live on the runways at New York Bridal Week and cooking demonstrations from Princess Tiana's Cookbook Recipes for Kids, the videos will delight any Disney and Disney Princess fan.

The Princess and the Frog merchandise assortment:

Disney Store Disney Store is offering an enchanting assortment of exclusive products, plus bayou-inspired in-store and window displays that celebrate The Princess and the Frog. On November 20 just before Chicago's famed Festival of Lights, Disney Store will unveil a truly magical window display in its Michigan Avenue flag ship store featuring a beautiful scene from the new film. And beginning November 30, Disney Store will dedicate all of its 229 windows in North America to The Princess and the Frog. Products available only at Disney Store and www.DisneyStore.com include: a hand-crafted jewelry box, bookends, a snow globe featuring Princess Tiana and her prince in a wedding scene, role play costumes such as a one-of-a-kind wedding dress, plush dolls representing key characters, and exclusive dolls.

Toys & Electronics The Princess and the Frog toy line comes alive in vibrant hues of purple, green, gold and blue and is accented with decorative elements reminiscent of New Orleans and the bayou. Available at major retailers nationwide, these new playthings include the beautiful Just One Kiss Disney Princess Tiana Doll dressed in her sparkly blue ball gown that lights up, a Princess Tiana Doll outfitted in her shimmering bayou dress, a variety of Princess Tiana role play costumes, play sets and plush dolls featuring key characters from the film and cuddly and comical The Princess and the Frog Kissing Frog plush.

Fashion & Home Girls of all ages can live like a princess with an array of new fashion and home decor products inspired by Princess Tiana. Young fashionistas can embrace their inner princess with fashion collections available at department stores nationwide; the beautiful Princess Tiana Watch & Tiara available at JC Penney; and The Princess and the Frog girls bedding available at department stores nationwide.

DCP has also collaborated with top designers to create unique couture apparel and accessories. A Princess Tiana inspired bridal gown will be added to the successful Kirstie Kelly for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings collection in spring 2010. Trend-forward fashion tops inspired by the book "The Art of Disney Princess" are also available at specialty boutiques. Kidada Jones for Disney Couture will introduce a new line of stunning gold jewelry at specialty retailers.

Collectibles Collectors will be eager get their hands on a variety of beautifully crafted and detailed collectible items featuring Disney's newest princess including the limited-edition porcelain Princess Tiana "Wishing On The Evening Star" collectible figurine statue by Enesco, LLC, which comes with a certificate of authenticity and is available from Walt Disney Classics Collection and specialty dealers. A new unique oil masterpiece from Thomas Kinkade depicts Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen in a gorgeous scene from the film.

Health & Beauty A princess is beautiful inside and out and DCP has collaborated with top health and beauty brands to create princess-worthy products including the "Magical Collection" by Carol's Daughter, which offers hair care and bubble bath products available at specialty stores, www.carolsdaughter.com, Disney Store and www.disneystore.com. Additional products include The Princess and the Frog role-play cosmetics and Band-Aid(R) adhesive bandages by Johnson & Johnson available at mass retailers.

Food The Disney food assortment also offers a selection of The Princess and the Frog items including Tummy Tickler(R) juices from In Zone Brands, Inc. and Kellogg's fruit flavored snacks, available at select grocery stores nationwide.

Stationery The Princess and the Frog stationery assortment includes craft and activity sets, journals, sticker packets, paper party sets, cake decor, calendars and Holiday wrapping paper among other offerings available at major retailers nationwide, Party City, Party America, and independent and online specialty party stores.

Fans can get regular updates on The Princess and the Frog and its inspired products by signing up to become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/DisneyLiving and following us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyLiving for a chance to win unique merchandise.

About "The Princess and the Frog" Presented by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the musical The Princess And The Frog is an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. A modern twist on a classic tale, the film features a girl named Tiana who dreams of owning her own restaurant, a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. The Princess And The Frog marks the return to hand-drawn animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements and features music by Oscar(R)-winning composer Randy Newman. Featuring the voice talents of Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Lewis and Oprah Winfrey, the film hits theaters nationwide on Dec. 11.

About Disney Princess The Disney Princess franchise enables little girls to live the life of a princess through world-class entertainment and innovative products that let them act out scenes from Disney's wholesome, timeless and cherished fairy tale film classics. The franchise is comprised of eight beloved princesses -- Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Cinderella, Jasmine (Aladdin), Mulan, Pocahontas, and Snow White. Each Disney Princess character has a unique story that empowers girls to imagine and live their very own fairy tales. Disney began branding the characters under the Disney Princess umbrella brand in 2000. At that time, aggregate sales of merchandise for the characters that became part of the Disney Princess program were in the $300 million range. The branding move resulted in a merchandising phenomenon. Today, the Disney Princess franchise is a multi-billion dollar global franchise and worldwide consumer products business that has become a leading girls' lifestyle brand with product offerings extend across categories, including toys and personal electronics, apparel, home decor, stationery, food, personal care, publishing, and interactive games.

About Disney Consumer Products Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books and magazines to foods and beverages, stationery, electronics and fine art. This is accomplished through DCP's various lines of business which include: Disney Toys, Disney Fashion & Home, Disney Food, Health & Beauty, and Disney Stationery. Other businesses involved in Disney's consumer products sales are Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, and www.DisneyStore.com, the company's official shopping portal. The Disney Stores retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America and Europe. The Disney Stores chain in Japan is operated under a license agreement with Disney. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6103109&lang=en.

SOURCE: Disney Consumer Products

Disney Consumer Products 
Nidia Tatalovich, 818-544-0399 
nidia.tatalovich@disney.com 
or 
Kate Greenberg, 818-544-0039 
kate.h.greenberg@disney.com

The Princess and the Frog for Wii allows girls to be a Princess and experience Tiana's magical world together with family and friends. In the game, players can explore more than 25 engaging mini-games designed for up to four players to join the fun and interact. From playing as a princess and mixing and matching outfits, to playing as frogs and racing each other, to numerous mini-games, there's something for everyone.

Also in the Wii game, players and Disney fans will enjoy exciting game features that include performing music, cooking New Orleans cuisine, and dancing and singing along to hits from the movie. Players can choose from seven playable characters, including Prince Naveen, Dr. Facilier, Ray and Mama Odie. Fun customization activities include collecting Mardi Gras beads to trade for new dresses and personalizing outfits for Tiana. Players can even explore five enchanting New Orleans hub locations, including the French Quarter and the Bayou.

The Princess and the Frog for DS taps into classic platforming as players swing and jump through 27 levels of beautiful landscape. Players can perform music with two to four friends and save tunes on the game's jukebox. In addition, real recipes inspired by New Orleans dishes are included in the game.

Developed by Griptonite Games, The Princess and the Frog is available in multiple languages including English, Spanish and French. The Princess and the Frog for DS includes access to DGamer, the online community exclusively for Disney gamers on Nintendo DS, allowing them to chat with other players and unlock additional items in their game. A DGamer Scavenger Hunt for exclusive avatar accessories on the DS will launch with the game release. Players who own the game will receive clues via their DS and can share hints with DGamer friends online at Disney.com.

"The Princess and the Frog" film marks the return to traditional 2D hand-drawn animation by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The highly anticipated animated comedy adventure opens in theatres nationwide on December 11, 2009.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games, mobile games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

About the Movie

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (ANIKA NONI ROSE), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG marks the return to hand-drawn animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements, with music by Oscar(R)-winning composer Randy Newman.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6101832&lang=en.

SOURCE: Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios 
Maral Kaloustian, 818-553-6073 
Maral.kaloustian@disney.com 
or 
Access Communications 
Kathryn Green, 415-844-6219 
kgreen@accesspr.com