Walt Disney Television International (WDTV-I) reaffirmed its position as a worldwide leader in television entertainment in 2001, fueled by strong performances from its distribution division.

WDTV-I signed major new distribution agreements in key territories, including the U.K., Canada, South Africa and Russia. For the first time, WDTV-I has sold selected animated titles, including Toy Story and Mulan, to terrestrial broadcasters such as the BBC. WDTV-I now distributes almost 5,000 hours of programming, including films such as Pearl Harbor and live-action series, including Scrubs and Alias, to 120 countries around the world.

WDTV-I continues to provide Disney-branded and non-branded programming to a large free TV audience. This includes 95 regularly scheduled, Disney-branded shows, which now air in 51 countries. Branded TV content on free and pay television is now enhanced by innovative Web sites.

The original production slate includes the highly successful Art Attack, produced in eight languages. Another original is La Liga, a fantasy soccer show that broadcasts in Germany and Spain.

WDTV-I also oversees an equity investment portfolio, which includes Super RTL in Germany, GMTV in the U.K., the HBO services in Central Europe and Latin America, and CineNova in Holland.