Playhouse Disney télé Launches in Canada

MONTREAL, July 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Playhouse Disney télé, the French-language channel for preschoolers, officially began broadcasting at 10 a.m. this morning. Francophone families across Canada can now discover the entertaining and learning-based programming offered by the channel, which will be available free of charge to Bell TV subscribers on channel 189 for the next three months.

Playhouse Disney télé offers high-quality, learning-focused programming to parents and their preschoolers 24 hours a day. It airs programs that have made Disney renowned around the world, including La Maison de Mickey (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), Les 101 Dalmatiens (The 101 Dalmatians), Agent spécial OSO (Special Agent OSO) and many others. Children will also enjoy award-winning Canadian programs such as Marguerite et la bête féroce (Maggie and the Ferocious Beast) and Elliot (Elliot Moose).

In the coming months Playhouse Disney télé will also premiere the Canadian series Stella & Sam. Currently in production, this new series brings to life the characters and stories written by Québec writer Marie-Louise Gay.

"Astral is thrilled to introduce this French-language channel, further entrenching our partnership with Disney and building on Astral's already strong position in the area of children's television," said Dominique Cornellier, Vice-President Marketing and Communications for Astral Télé Réseaux. "This channel offers the best of Disney and the best in Canadian programming and we are proud to offer it to families in Quebec and across Canada."

The French version of the www.PlayhouseDisney.ca site is now online to offer parents and their children games and activities that contribute to their kids' development and complement the on-air experience.

Playhouse Disney is a commercial-free channel available in French and English to 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. Visit us at www.playhousedisney.ca.

Playhouse Disney is a member of the Astral family. Astral is one of Canada's largest media companies. It operates more than 100 of the country's most popular pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital media properties. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and advertisers. To learn more about Astral, visit www.astral.com.

For further information: Mylène Racine, Communications Coordinator, Astral Télé Réseaux, 514-939-5001, ext. 3237, [email protected]; For additional programming information, visit www.PlayhouseDisney.ca