MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Disney and UTH Russia have announced that the two companies will launch an ad-supported free-to-air Disney Channel in Russia early next year.

The broadly-distributed channel will appeal to families throughout Russia by featuring Disney?s popular signature programming, as well as original Russian content.

Disney president and CEO Robert A Iger said, "International expansion is a key strategic priority for our company and Disney Channel has proven to be invaluable in building the Disney brand around the world. We are excited about increasing Disney Channel?s presence in Russia and delivering exceptional family entertainment to this important growth market."

Under the terms of the agreement, Disney, through one of its subsidiaries, will acquire a 49 per cent stake in the Seven TV network from UTH Russia. The new Disney Channel will replace the current branding and programming of Seven TV.

Disney MD in Russia Marina Jigalova-Ozkan added, "Disney Channel became one of the most popular and beloved cable channels in Russia. We are very happy that together with such a reliable and respectful partner as UTH Disney will bring high-quality family entertainment to every family in Russia."

At launch, the channel will reach approximately 40 million households, which represents more than 75 per cent of the measured audience in Russia. Disney Channel will air on broadcast stations in 54 large urban markets, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as hundreds of rural and remote cities and towns nationwide through other distribution agreements.

UTH Russia CEO Ivan Tavrin said, "We believe that our partnership with The Walt Disney Company, the global entertainment leader, will establish a popular and highly successful free-to-air business. The infrastructure and technical foundation of UTH in combination with Disney?s unique brand and global expertise will deliver excellent results for the Disney Channel in Russia. Seven TV?s transformation from sports to general entertainment in 2010 helped us to significantly improve its ratings and financial results, now it is time for a new page in the network?s history. I am confident about the success of the Disney Channel and our long term partnership with The Walt Disney Company."

Alisher Usmanov, a UTH shareholder and major Internet and media investor in Russia said, "We expect the family channel combining the best Disney programming with original Russian TV shows will be of great interest to the audience. We are excited that our partner, one of the world?s largest media companies, believes in the Russian market and our company."

Disney Channels Worldwide is comprised of 100 channels in 35 languages reaching 325 million unduplicated households globally.