Highlights of the initial year of broadcasting for the Disney Channel include its grand launch held in March at the PICC. More than 20 Disney characters (including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Ariel, Belle) were flown in and no less than the country’s premiere entertainers were tapped to perform for the show. The launch was so spectacular that it was aired as a special over the Disney Channel.
Also, its primetime block, The Wonderful World of Disney is a consistent top-rater Family movie are aired every night at 8 and this special show has hosted the Asian TV premiere of the animated movies Mulan and Pocahontas. In line with this, the Disney Channel staged a contest where a lot of kids won special premiums from the Disney Channel. The Wonderful World of Disney has also broadcast well-loved animated and live-action Disney movies such as Madeline Lost in Paris, 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, Mr. Magoo, George of the Jungle, A Bug’s Life and many more.
In its first year, the Disney Channel has also introduced to kids Scream TV, a terrifying yet fun block of hilarious horror shows such as Are You Afraid of the Dark, Jumanji, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Archie’s Weird Mysteries and many more. A show featuring various "animated shorts" of Mickey Mouse and his pals was also premiered in the Disney Channel this year called Mickey Mouseworks and remains a consistent top-rater for the channel.
The Disney Channel Junior X Games and Junior X Games II were also a success wherein hundreds of X Games enthusiasts witnessed the event live in Phuket, Thailand will be aired from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, 6 p.m.
Disney Channel Asia is a multi-territory feed that covers several ASEAN and South Asian countries. At present, the Disney Channel Asia is seen in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei. The Channel brings quality programming designed to provide a positive and entertaining environment for the whole family. The Disney Channel also features a wide array of animation series, sitcoms, dramas and animation/live action features as well as locally-produced programming.
Also upcoming in the Disney Channel this year are the premiere of various animated and live-action series such as The Legend of Tarzan, Pinocchio, Lloyd in Space, The Book of Pooh and House of Mouse. Playhouse Disney, the Disney Channel’s pre-school block will also be launched this year. This features well-loved shows like The New Adventures of Winnie The Pooh, Bear in the Big Blue House and Rolie Polie Olie.
And to add to the fun, the Disney Channel opens Vault Disney, a special program aired every Saturday at 11 p.m. Classic Disney movies are aired in Vault Disney such as Escape to Witch Mountain, The Shaggy Dog, Oliver Twist and many more.
Walt Disney Television International (Asia-Pacific) is responsible for the consolidated International free and pay television activities of the Walt Disney Co. and ABC Inc. in the region. These activities include program sales (Buena Vista International Television), production and the development and management of Disney Channels and other international broadcasting investments in the Asia-Pacific.