MIPCOM NEWS – Buena Vista has clocked up some healthy Asia-Pac deals, including its first preschool branded block in Australia, plus programme and film sales into NZ, Thailand and Singapore.

The Australian deal sees Seven Network getting a weekly half-hour Playhouse Disney block from 2003. The locally-produced and hosted block will air Disney's preschool format for the first time on free terrestrial TV in the territory.

Across the water in New Zealand, TVNZ has signed a multi-year volume deal for a raft of films, series, animated features and specials. Part of it will bring a locally-hosted Disney Club show to the terrestrial network, with segments tailored for local kids.

Also in the TVNZ bundle is Signs, Sweet Home Alabama, Spy Kids 2, Reign of Fire, plus series 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter and Life With Bonnie.

In Thailand, Bangkok Broadcasting & TV has okayed the expansion of its Disney Club show for 60- to 90-minutes. The deal also gives BBTV first-run and library films like Runaway Bride, End of Days, Six Days Seven Nights, Snake Eyes and Inspector Gadget. BBTV also renewed Alias and The Amazing Race.

Over in Singapore, BVI-TV's Asia-Pac deals round off with sizeable package going to MediaCorp. The broadcaster has taken animated series, features, telefilms and drama series to stock up its Channel 5 and Kids Central networks. Series include Alias, Scrubs, Amazing Race, 8 Simple Rules, Less Than Perfect and Miracles, plus toons Hercules and Buzz Lightyear.