Disney Platform Distribution

{{Infobox company

| trade_name = Buena Vista International Television, Inc.

| name = Buena Vista International Television, Inc.

| logo = Buena Vista International Television logo.svg

| type = Division

| industry = Television syndication

| founded = {{Start date and age|1985}}

| defunct = {{End date and age|2007|5|14}}

| fate = Defunct, rebranded to Disney–ABC International Television

| successor = Disney-ABC International Television

| hq_location_city = Burbank, California

| hq_location_country = U.S.

| parent = Disney–ABC Television Group

| area_served = Worldwide

}}

Buena Vista International Television (BVIT) was the international television distribution arm of the original Walt Disney Television, and the international television arm of Buena 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.{{Cite news|date=October 26, 1987|title=MIPCOM 1987: Programming the world|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-10-26-OCR-Page-0096.pdf|access-date=November 28, 2021}} 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.{{Cite news|date=October 24, 1988|title=MIPCOM: Programming world comes to Cannes|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-10-24-OCR-Page-0056.pdf|access-date=November 28, 2021}}

The company made its origins as early as 1978 when American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. formed ABC Pictures International to handle sales in the international television market. It was incorporated on January 3, 1978.{{Cite web|title=System Outage Message :: California Secretary of State|url=https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/CBS/SearchResults?filing=&SearchType=CORP&SearchCriteria=ABC+Pictures+International&SearchSubType=Keyword|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020001537/https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/CBS/SearchResults?filing=&SearchType=CORP&SearchCriteria=ABC+Pictures+International&SearchSubType=Keyword|url-status=dead}} Erwin H. Ezzes, former CEO of United Artists Television was signed on as a consultant to the company.{{Cite news|date=February 27, 1978|title=Fates & Fortunes|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/78-OCR/1978-02-27-BC-OCR-Page-0086.pdf|access-date=October 20, 2021}}

In 1979, ABC Pictures International has launched its instructional arm ABC Learning Resources, Inc., and Donna B. Sessa would run ABC Learning Resources, Inc.{{Cite news|date=October 15, 1979|title=Monitor|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/79-OCR/BC-1979-10-15-OCR-Page-0061.pdf|access-date=October 20, 2021}} Later that year, it was merged into ABC Video Enterprises, Inc.{{Cite news|date=December 24, 1979|title=In Brief|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/79-OCR/BC-1979-12-24-OCR-Page-0021.pdf|access-date=October 20, 2021}}

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.{{Cite news|date=July 9, 1979|title=ABC and Warner aim for new media|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/79-OCR/BC-1979-07-09-OCR-Page-0036.pdf|access-date=October 20, 2021}} Later that year, ABC Pictures International was merged into the company.

Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises (CAVE) was incorporated on January 27, 1987.{{Cite web|title=Disney–ABC International Television, Inc. Entity Information|url=http://appext20.dos.ny.gov/corp_public/CORPSEARCH.ENTITY_INFORMATION?p_nameid=1250379&p_corpid=1139698&p_entity_name=ABC%20Cable%20&p_name_type=%25&p_search_type=BEGINS&p_srch_results_page=0|website=Corporation & Business Entity Database|publisher=State of New York|access-date=June 2, 2014}} as an ancillary production, video and distribution company owned by Capital Cities/ABC. In 1992, CAVE launched Capital Cities/ABC Video Publishing as its subsidiary to release videotapes under the ABC Video label.{{Cite magazine|last=Goldstein|first=Seth|date=November 21, 1992|title=CapCities/ABC Makes Video Foray|magazine=Billboard|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1992/1992-11-21-Billboard-Page-0011.pdf|access-date=October 20, 2021}} 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.{{Cite news|last=Huff|first=Richard|title=Purvis, Abrams upped at ABC Vid|url=https://variety.com/1992/scene/people-news/purvis-abrams-upped-at-abc-vid-102286/|access-date=June 2, 2014|work=Variety|date=December 21, 1992}}

On July 25, 1993, CAVE and DIC Animation City formed a production joint venture called DIC Entertainment L.P., to provide material for CAVE to distribute in the international market.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/news/dic-ent-formed-for-kids-tv-fare-108945/|title=DIC Ent. formed for kids TV fare|last=Lowry|first=Brian|date=July 26, 1993|work=Variety|access-date=June 2, 2014}}

In early October 1993, CAVE became part of the newly formed ABC Cable and International Broadcast Group (ACIBG), moving out of the broadcasting group to directly report to the CEO of CC/ABC, with Herb Granath continuing as president. The group continued oversiting 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.{{Cite news|last=Schmuckler|first=Eric|title=Herb Granath named president of ABC Cable and International Broadcast|url=http://business.highbeam.com/137332/article-1G1-14511439/herb-granath-named-president-abc-cable-and-international|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606221033/http://business.highbeam.com/137332/article-1G1-14511439/herb-granath-named-president-abc-cable-and-international|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2014|access-date=June 2, 2014|work=Mediaweek|date=October 11, 1993}} On October 12, Ambroco Media Group, Inc. was formed{{Cite web|title=Ambroco Media Group, Inc. (Entity Number: C1867617)|url=http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/|website=California Business Search|publisher=State of California|access-date=June 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315010639/http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/|archive-date=March 15, 2015|url-status=dead}} under Purvis to work with foreign partners for the development and production of programs.{{Cite news|last=Guider|first=Elizabeth|title=Purvis exits CapCities/ABC|url=https://variety.com/1994/tv/news/purvis-exits-capcities-abc-117362/|access-date=June 3, 2014|work=Variety|date=January 11, 1994}} 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 to ABC Cable and International Broadcast, Inc. In January 1994, ABC Network announced Purvis' retirement and the closure of Ambroco's operations.

When the Disney-CC/ABC merger led Disney Television and Telecommunications to be split up in April 1996, Walt Disney Television International was transferred to Capital Cities/ABC.{{Cite news|title=Roth, Iger Assume Expanded Responsibilities at the Walt Disney Company|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROTH%2c+IGER+ASSUME+EXPANDED+RESPONSIBILITIES+AT+THE+WALT+DISNEY+COMPANY-a018198127|access-date=March 11, 2013|newspaper=PRNewswire|date=April 16, 1996|archive-date=September 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925165739/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROTH%2c+IGER+ASSUME+EXPANDED+RESPONSIBILITIES+AT+THE+WALT+DISNEY+COMPANY-a018198127|url-status=dead}} CC/ABC combined the international units, Walt Disney Television International and ACIBG, into Disney–ABC International Television (DAIT) in July 1996.{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Debra|title=Granath takes top slot at Disney–ABC International|url=http://business.highbeam.com/3610/article-1G1-18444077/granath-takes-top-slot-disneyabc-international|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606234229/http://business.highbeam.com/3610/article-1G1-18444077/granath-takes-top-slot-disneyabc-international|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2014|access-date=June 2, 2014|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=July 1, 1996}} On October 19, 1999, ABC Cable and International Broadcast Group was renamed Disney–ABC International Television, Inc. By February 1999, DAIT began operating under the Buena Vista International Television name.{{Cite news|title=Buena Vista International Television|url=http://business.highbeam.com/3693/article-1G1-54078429/buena-vista-international-television|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606214435/http://business.highbeam.com/3693/article-1G1-54078429/buena-vista-international-television|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2014|access-date=June 2, 2014|work=Screen Digest|publisher=Screen Digest Ltd.|date=February 1, 1999}}

On {{dts|2007|05|14}}, Buena Vista International Television was renamed Disney–ABC International Television, due to Disney semi-retiring the Buena Vista name.{{Cite news|title=Buena Vista International Television renamed Disney-ABC International Television|url=http://business.highbeam.com/3896/article-1G1-165912192/buena-vista-international-television-renamed-disneyabc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606212325/http://business.highbeam.com/3896/article-1G1-165912192/buena-vista-international-television-renamed-disneyabc|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2014|access-date=June 2, 2014|work=Asia Image, Inc.|date=June 1, 2007}} In April 2008, the Asia Pacific office renewed its multi-year movie agreement with Zee Studio, an Indian basic-cable movie channel.{{Cite news|title=Disney-ABC renew multi-year movie deal With Zee Studio|url=http://businessofcinema.com/bollywood-news/disneyabc-renew-multiyear-movie-deal-with-zee-studio/22831|access-date=May 13, 2014|newspaper=Business of Cinema|date=April 12, 2008}} In October 2015, at Mipcom in Cannes, Disney Media Distribution France extended its film and TV agreement with Canal Plus Group, adding first-run rights to films including those from Lucasfilm and SVOD rights for CanalPlay, which is effective in January 2016.{{Cite news|last=Keslassy|first=Elsa|title=Mipcom: Canal Plus, Disney Media Distribution Renew Pact|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/mipcom-canal-plus-disney-media-distribution-renew-pact-1201612305/|access-date=April 14, 2016|work=Variety|date=October 7, 2015}}

With the March 14, 2018, strategic reorganization in anticipation of integrating 21st Century Fox's assets, Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International was formed with distribution units being moved over from Disney-ABC Television Group.{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Disney Reorganizes Divisions, Creates Dedicated Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Unit|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/disney-reorganizes-direct-to-consumer-streaming-unit-1202726528/|access-date=March 15, 2018|work=Variety|date=March 14, 2018}} In July 2019, Marinelli announced her resignation, ending a 34-year long tenure with the company.{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |title=Disney's Longtime Head of Global Sales and Distribution to Exit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/disneys-longtime-head-global-sales-distribution-exit-1224688 |access-date=July 19, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 16, 2019}} Janice Marinelli, president of global content sales and distribution, would report to Mayer.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/disney-sets-out-international-leadership-team-post-fox-deal-1203088968/|title=Disney Sets Out International Leadership Team Post-Fox Deal|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|work=Variety|date=December 13, 2018|access-date=December 14, 2018}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |title=ESPN's Justin Connolly to Lead Combined Disney Sales Team |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/espns-justin-connolly-lead-combined-disney-sales-team-1225339 |access-date=July 19, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 18, 2019}} With a leadership change in this new segment in May 2020, the media distribution group was moved to Disney Media Networks.{{cite news|date=May 21, 2020|title=Disney Shifts Ad Sales Group to Media Networks Division|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-shifts-ad-sales-group-media-networks-division-1295457|access-date=May 21, 2020}}

On October 12, 2020, Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced a strategic reorganization that created a new division of the company, Media and Entertainment Distribution, that is being led by Kareem 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 including Disney+. Effectively, that makes Disney Platform Distribution responsible for Disney–ABC Domestic Television, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

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.{{Cite web| url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-reorganization-streaming-film-tv-dana-walden-alan-bergman-1235321497/ |title=Disney Reorg: Dana Walden, Alan Bergman Gain Streaming, International; Rebecca Campbell to Exit |website=The Hollywood Reporter |first1=Lesley

|last1=Goldberg |first2=Pamela |last2=McClintock |date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=February 9, 2023}}

The company distributes movies from Disney units including:

• Walt Disney Pictures
• Walt Disney Animation Studios
• Pixar Animation Studios
• 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox)
• 20th Century Animation (formerly 20th Century Fox Animation)
• Searchlight Pictures (formerly Fox Searchlight Pictures)
• Marvel Studios
• Marvel Studios Animation/Marvel Animation
• Marvel Television
• Lucasfilm
• Lucasfilm Animation
• Disneynature
• ESPN Films
• The Muppets Studio
• Star Studios

The company distributes TV programs from other Disney units including:

• Disney Television Studios
• 20th Television (second and current iteration; formerly 20th Century Fox Television)
• 20th Television Animation (formerly Fox Television Animation)
• Searchlight Television
• ABC News, along with the Annual Academy Awards
• Disney–ABC Domestic Television
• Disney Branded Television
• Disney Channel
• Disney XD (formerly Toon Disney/Jetix)
• Disney Junior (formerly Playhouse Disney)
• Disney Television Animation
• It's a Laugh Productions
• Marvel Entertainment (except some TV productions)
• ESPN
• The Muppets Studio
• ABC Entertainment
• Freeform
• FX Networks
• National Geographic Global Networks
• Disney Streaming
• Disney+ (Star)
• Hulu

The company used to distribute movies and TV programs from former Disney units including:

• Touchstone Pictures
• Hollywood Pictures
• Caravan Pictures
• Cinergi Pictures
• Fox Atomic
• Fox Faith
• Fox 2000 Pictures
• Disneytoon Studios
• Blue Sky Studios
• Fox Animation Studios
• ABC Family Worldwide
• Fox Kids/Fox Children's Productions
• Jetix Animation Concepts
• BVS Entertainment
• SIP Animation
• Créativité et Développement
• New World Animation/Marvel Productions
• Saban/Scherick Productions
• Libra Pictures
• TVS/MTM Enterprises
• Walt Disney Television (original iteration)
• 20th Television (first iteration and syndication company)
• ABC Signature (formerly ABC Studios, the original ABC Signature Studios, and the first iteration of Touchstone Television)
• Touchstone Television (second iteration; formerly Fox 21 Television Studios)
• Fox Lab
• Fox Television Studios
• Fox World (formerly Fox Television Studios International)
• Foxstar Productions
• Fox 21
• Marvel Television (2010-2019; original iteration)
• 20th Digital Studio (formerly Zero Day Fox and Fox Digital Studio)
• Star+

• Miramax Films (1993–2010)
• Dimension Films (Pre-2005)
• DIC Entertainment (Post-1990 catalogue from 1996 to 2000 and pre-1989 catalogue from 2001 to 2006, including newer shows from the time. Except Inspector Gadget movies.)
• DreamWorks live-action (2011–2016), library to select international television audiences

{{About|a production label under then-Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises inherited by Disney|a different Indian company mainly in the global distribution operations for both films and TV|Ultra Media & Entertainment|section=yes}}

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 channels Arts & Entertainment and Lifetime, both of which has a stake owned by CAVE, but also for other cable channels.{{Cite news|title=New ABC program unit negotiating first shows|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-05-15.pdf|access-date=June 2, 2014|work=Broadcasting|date=May 15, 1989}}

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. It first work was the telefilm Death Dream, produced for Lifetime with Dick Clark Film Group and Roni Weisberg Productions, which premiered on June 25, 1991.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RxHbPxbBM1AC&q=%22Ultra+Entertainment%22+ABC&pg=PP142|title=Variety and Daily Variety Television Reviews, 1991–1992|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1994|isbn=0-8240-3796-0|editor-last=Prouty|editor-first=Howard H.|volume=17|oclc=30737353}}

Films distributed by Ultra Entertainment, Inc. include:

• Death Dream (June 25, 1991) for Lifetime with Dick Clark Film Group and Roni Weisberg Productions
• Elvis and the Colonel: The Untold Story (1993) NBC with Dick Clark Film Group{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PS1g1rnX7rsC&q=AMBROCO+Media+Group%2C+Inc.&pg=PR231|title=Variety and Daily Variety Television Reviews, 1993–1994|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1996|isbn=0-8240-3797-9|editor-last=Prouty|editor-first=Howard H.|volume=18|oclc=36909677}}
• Secret Sins of the Father{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PS1g1rnX7rsC&q=production+credits+%22in+association+with%22&pg=PR231|title=Variety and Daily Variety Television Reviews, 1993–1994|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1996|isbn=0-8240-3797-9|editor-last=Prouty|editor-first=Howard H.|volume=18|oclc=36909677}}
• Spenser: Ceremony movie (July 22, 1993) Lifetime with Norstar Entertainment and Broadwalk Entertainment

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120621060125/http://www.disneyabctv.com/division/index_media.shtml Disney Media Distribution]

{{Disney}}

Category:The Walt Disney Company divisions

Category:American companies established in 1987

Category:1987 establishments in California

Category:Mass media companies established in 1987