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| Disney Entertainment Distribution | |
| Formerly |
|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Predecessor | Buena Vista International Television |
| Founded | January 27, 1987; 38 years ago (1987-01-27) |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Justin Connolly (president) |
| Services | |
| Parent |
|
| Website | dmdcentral |
Disney Platform Distribution, Inc. (doing business asDisney Entertainment Distribution) is a business unit withinDisney Entertainment that manages all third-party media sales efforts for distribution, affiliate marketing and affiliate-related business operations for all of the company's direct-to-consumer services and linear media networks; content sales agreements for Disney Entertainment and ESPN.[1][2][3]
The company was originally established in 1987 under theCapital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises, Inc. name and later renamedABC Cable and International Broadcast Group, Inc.,Disney–ABC International Television, Inc. andDisney Media Distribution. On October 12, 2020, the company took its current name.
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| Buena Vista International Television, Inc. | |
| Company type | Division |
| Industry | Television syndication |
| Founded | 1985; 40 years ago (1985) |
| Defunct | May 14, 2007; 18 years ago (2007-05-14) |
| Fate | Defunct, rebranded toDisney–ABC International Television |
| Successor | Disney-ABC International Television |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Parent | Disney–ABC Television Group |
Buena Vista International Television (BVIT) was the international television distribution arm of the originalWalt Disney Television, and the international television arm ofBuena Vista Television themselves. BVIT was established in 1985 to produce non-American series and distribute all Disney-owned libraries around the world.
In 1987, Buena Vista International Television had signed a three-year deal to provide five hours a week for Disney-related material, such as feature films, television movies and series.[4] In 1988, at the MIPCOM, Buena Vista International Television said that they were planning on to develop up to five pay international cable channels on its own, none of them were materialized.[5]
The company made its origins as early as 1978 whenAmerican Broadcasting Companies, Inc. formed ABC Pictures International to handle sales in the international television market. It was incorporated on January 3, 1978.[6] Erwin H. Ezzes, former CEO of United Artists Television was signed on as a consultant to the company.[7]
In 1979, ABC Pictures International has launched its instructional arm ABC Learning Resources, Inc., and Donna B. Sessa would run ABC Learning Resources, Inc.[8] Later that year, it was merged into ABC Video Enterprises, Inc.[9]
On July 2, 1979, ABC had formed ABC Video Enterprises, Inc. to develop and market programing domestically for cable, pay cable, videodisks, cassettes and other new communications forms, and it was headed up by Herbert A. Granath, who was vice president of the ABC television network.[10] Later that year, ABC Pictures International was merged into the company.[9]
Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises (CAVE) was incorporated on January 27, 1987.[11] as an ancillary production, video and distribution company owned byCapital Cities/ABC. In 1992, CAVE launched Capital Cities/ABC Video Publishing as its subsidiary to release videotapes under the ABC Video label.[12] In December 1992, CAVE realigned its upper management by adding a president position to Capital Cities/ABC Video Productions for overseas control of its production units Ultra Entertainment, the Hemisphere Group and Capital Cities/ABC Video Productions and bringing in Archie C. Purvis to fill the position. Joseph Y. Abrams was promoted to replace Purvis as president of ABC Distribution Co. Both have reported to president of CAVE International, John T. Healy.[13]
On July 25, 1993, CAVE andDIC Animation City formed a production joint venture calledDIC Entertainment L.P., to provide material for CAVE to distribute in the international market.[14]
In early October 1993, CAVE became part of the newly formedABC Cable and International Broadcast Group (ACIBG), moving out of the broadcasting group to directly report to the CEO of CC/ABC, withHerb Granath continuing as president. The group continued oversighting its stakes in cable companies ESPN, A&E and Lifetime, international program sales, co-production and interests in foreign program services Eurosport, Germany's RTL-2, Japan Sport Network and animation company DIC.[15] On October 12, Ambroco Media Group, Inc. was formed[16] under Purvis to work with foreign partners for the development and production of programs.[17] On October 21, Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises changed its legal name to Capital Cities/ABC Cable and International Broadcasting, Inc., then on December 15, it changed once again toABC Cable and International Broadcast, Inc.[11] In January 1994, ABC Network announced Purvis' retirement and the closure of Ambroco's operations.[17]
When the Disney-CC/ABC merger ledDisney Television and Telecommunications to be split up in April 1996, Walt Disney Television International was transferred to Capital Cities/ABC.[18] CC/ABC combined the international units, Walt Disney Television International and ACIBG, into Disney–ABC International Television (DAIT) in July 1996.[19] On October 19, 1999, ABC Cable and International Broadcast Group was renamedDisney–ABC International Television, Inc.[11] By February 1999, DAIT began operating under the Buena Vista International Television name.[20]
OnMay 14, 2007, Buena Vista International Television was renamed Disney–ABC International Television, due to Disney semi-retiring theBuena Vista name.[21] In April 2008, the Asia Pacific office renewed its multi-year movie agreement with Zee Studio, an Indian basic-cable movie channel.[22] In October 2015, at Mipcom in Cannes, Disney Media Distribution France extended its film and TV agreement withCanal Plus Group, adding first-run rights to films including those fromLucasfilm and SVOD rights for CanalPlay, which is effective in January 2016.[23]
With the March 14, 2018, strategic reorganizationin anticipation of integrating21st Century Fox's assets, Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International was formed with distribution units being moved over fromDisney-ABC Television Group.[24] In July 2019, Marinelli announced her resignation, ending a 34-year long tenure with the company.[25] Janice Marinelli, president of global content sales and distribution, would report to Mayer.[26] Disney announced it would combine all the company's media sales and channel distribution into one organization. ESPN's executive vice president Justin Connolly was promoted to the newly created role of president of media distribution, reporting to Mayer.[27] With a leadership change in this new segment in May 2020, the media distribution group was moved to Disney Media Networks.[28]
On October 12, 2020, Disney CEOBob Chapek announced a strategic reorganization that created a new division of the company, Media and Entertainment Distribution, that is being led byKareem Daniel. Under the new structure, Disney created a group responsible for both the dissemination and ad sales for all of its content, including across streaming services includingDisney+. Effectively, that makes Disney Platform Distribution responsible forDisney–ABC Domestic Television,Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, andWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.[2][3]
In February 2023, the reinstated Disney CEO Bob Iger restructured the company, restoring theatrical distribution and Disney Music Group back to Walt Disney Studios chairman. The rest of Disney Platform Distribution would serve as a shared service for both Disney Entertainment and ESPN.[1]
In May 2025, Justin Connolly, who reported to Disney chairmenDana Walden,Alan Bergman, andJimmy Pitaro, announced he will be stepping down as President of Disney Platform Distribution.[29]
The company distributes movies from Disney units including:
The company distributes TV programs from other Disney units including:
The company used to distribute movies and TV programs from former Disney units including:
Ultra Entertainment was a TV production division of Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises for cable, network home video and foreign outlets. Ultra was expected to development and produce for cable channelsArts & Entertainment andLifetime, both of which has a stake owned by CAVE, but also for other cable channels.[30]
On May 8, 1989, the formation of Ultra Entertainment was announced CC/ABC Video Enterprises (CAVE) to produce programs for cable, home video and foreign markets. A staff of three employees was assembled to get the unit off the ground, with Bob Rubin as executive director.[30] It first work was the telefilmDeath Dream, produced for Lifetime with Dick Clark Film Group and Roni Weisberg Productions, which premiered on June 25, 1991.[31]
Films distributed by Ultra Entertainment, Inc. include:
