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Disney closes ABC1 in UK
Walt Disney Television has cited problems in getting access to spectrum on the Freeview platform as a major factor in its decision to close down entertainment channel ABC1 in the UK after three years on air.
John Hardie, executive VP and MD of Walt Disney Television EMEA, has claimed there was an "inability to get access to a Freeview primetime spectrum," so could not extend its daily schedule beyond 18.00.
 A decision has yet to be made on whether Disney will sell the ABC1 spectrum or whether it will be replaced by another of its channels. And although a date has yet to be set for final transmission, a spokeswoman said the channel would be coming off the air in "the short term."
Hardie said: "Since we launched ABC1, we have refocused sharply on the development of the Disney brand, in particular the Disney Channel, and the growth in the UK and Europe in the past few years has been phenomenal."
He added that although the channel found a strong daytime audience, the issue over Freeview spectrum and the focus on the Disney brand had led to the conclusion that "it was best to move on."
The launch of the channel, which included shows such as Scrubs, Ellen and Home Improvement, marked Disney's first use of the ABC brand outside the US when it debuted in September 2004. It later extended its reach to the Sky, Virgin and Tiscali platforms.
Michael Rosser
10 Sep 2007
© C21 Media 2007
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