CCTV-6 graduates to High School Musical

Disney’s television distribution arm has signed a TV licensing agreement with Chinese movie channel CCTV-6, building on a relationship with a country it calls “a key strategic market” for the company.

Buena Vista International Television – Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), has renewed its multi-year licensing agreement with CCTV-6 for the live and exclusive broadcast of the 79th Annual Academy Awards, including the 30-minute red carpet pre-show.

The Disney Channel’s made-for-TV movie High School Musical, which premiered in the US a year ago, will also air on CCTV-6 later in the year as part of a separate multiple movie package deal.

The film made its international terrestrial TV debut in July 2006 in primetime on Seven Network Australia, and according to Disney, has now been seen by 40 million unduplicated viewers.

“China is a key strategic priority for the company and with these TV licensing agreements we are delivering our strategy to bring great family entertainment to China,” said Stanley Cheung, The Walt Disney Company’s executive VP and MD for China and Hong Kong.

BVITV-AP, headquartered in Hong Kong, is the distributor of programmes including Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty and The Amazing Race.