Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Starting May 19, Disney programs will be broadcast on the cable channel HCMC Television as part of the company’s plans to penetrate into Vietnam’s potential market, local newspaper Tuoi Tre reported.
Disney-owned TV channels Disney and Playhouse Disney will debut on HTV with the theme “Hello Vietnam.”

“Disney is the largest TV channel integrating family entertainment programs while Playhouse is designed for school kids and people taking care of children,” said Raymund Miranda, managing director of Walt Disney Television International (Southeast Asia/Korea), to explain why audiences should tune in.

“This is a good chance for us to bring entertainment TV programs to children at home as there are more than 23 million children aged 14 and under, Mr. Miranda said at a news conference May 17.

Some Disney programs will have Vietnamese subtitles while Playhouse programs will remain in English since most shows are more action and music than talking.

For the last week, Disney and Playhouse Disney have aired on Hanoi cable around the clock on a trial basis.

Plans to “land in Vietnam”

As well, Walt Disney will produce toys, computer games and films in Vietnam in the future, said a company representative at the news conference.

“I think it is possible for Walt Disney to launch a channel in Vietnam in the next five years when we do better business in Vietnam and the country’s growth increases,” said Mr. Miranda.

He also unveiled that Walt Disney was looking to make movies based on Vietnamese fairy tales.

“Vietnam is a potential market. Joining Vietnam’s paid TV system is an important step in the expansion process of Walt Disney Television International,” said Nicky Parkinson, senior vice president and managing director of Walt Disney Television International.

(Source: Tuoi Tre - Compiled by Thanh Hang)
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 18 May, 2005, 10:16:01 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News