Disney Media to Premiere THE RIVER Around the Globe, 2/7

The Walt Disney Company today announced that THE RIVER, the much-anticipated supernatural TV thriller from executive producer Steven Spielberg and the director of "Paranormal Activity" Oren Peli, is set to premiere in eight other countries within hours of its U.S. debut on the ABC Television Network on Tuesday, February 7 at 9:00 p.m., ET. This is the first time a series distributed by Disney Media Distribution will launch in such close proximity to the American premiere on such a global scale.

The international broadcasters who will premiere either day-and-date or within 24-48 hours following the U.S. premiere include, in alphabetical order:

· AXN (Poland)

· CTV (Canada)

· Fox (South Korea)

· HBO NL (Netherlands)

· Kanal 5 (Sweden)

· Star World (Philippines)

· TV Norge (Norway)

· YES (Israel)

Additionally, audiences in the U.K. will be able to watch the series on iTunes before its television broadcast. The thrilling drama will make its U.K. debut on iTunes (www.itunes.co.uk/tv/theriver) on February 8, just 24 hours after its U.S. broadcast on ABC.

Sky Italia Italy, Fox Spain, Star World India and Star HK Hong Kong are also set to air "The River" within weeks of its U.S. premiere. "The River" is licensed to 182 territories.

"Our distribution team has been dedicated to developing and implementing a variety of windowing strategies that maximize the value of our content," said Ben Pyne, president, Global Distribution, Disney Media Networks. "'The River' has resonated strongly with our worldwide partners and we're very pleased so many will be timing their roll-out of the series with the U.S. premiere."

Executive producer Oren Peli said: "Coming from the film side of the industry, it's exciting that television audiences around the world will have a chance to see 'The River' so close to the debut in the U.S."

In 2010, Disney Media Distribution moved up the delivery of the series finale of the worldwide hit "Lost" so that an unprecedented 59 countries could air the final episode from 24-48 hours after the U.S. broadcast. That same year Disney also offered international broadcasters the opportunity to air "Body of Proof" before the U.S. premiered the series in response to client demand.

Produced by ABC Studios and Amblin Films, the paranormal thriller "The River" follows the story of world famous wildlife expert and TV personality Dr. Emmet Cole, host of the beloved series "The Undiscovered Country." After Cole goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set out on a mysterious and deadly journey to find him. Led by his wife, Tess, and estranged son, Lincoln, the rescue mission will take them deep into the unexplored reaches on the Amazon River. A place where nature is cruel, magic is real, and nothing is what it seems.