ABC Player iPad App Extends Availability to iPhone and iPod Touch

Dedicated to expanding its network and channel brands across multiple platforms and connecting viewers with their favorite shows anytime and anywhere, Disney/ABC Television Group today released a new version of its ABC Player App which extends the app across multiple iOS devices. The updated app, recently highlighted as the sixth most downloaded free iPad app of all time, is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

In addition to extending the app's availability, this updated version adds closed captioning functionality, as well as providing users the ability to "save and recall" their playback position between iOS devices. Like the existing app, the updated version is ad supported and will launch with advertising from such brands as Lexus, Toyota and Verizon, among others. Users will continue to be able to purchase downloads of episodes via the iTunes Store. In anticipation of the new iPad launch, the Digital Media team has also optimized the current iPad app to support full retina display.

"We are thrilled with the ongoing performance of the ABC Player App and the fact that consumers and advertisers have enthusiastically continued to embrace our initial app offering," said Albert Cheng, EVP and Chief Product Officer, Digital Media, Disney/ABC Television Group. "Almost six years ago we began streaming full episodes of ABC series online; nearly two years ago, we extended our viewers options with our iPad app; and with the new enhancements to our ABC Player App, it should be more apparent than ever that our commitment to providing and extending viewers' choices and experiences across multiple platforms while optimizing revenues remains a top priority today."

The ABC Player App, which originally launched in conjunction with the iPad's debut in April 2010, extends the reach of the programming available on ABC.com's full episode player to provide fans of ABC's series with a variety of convenient, portable viewing options to catch up on their favorite programs. Designed, built and launched in less than five weeks, the original ABC Player iPad app has been downloaded more than four million times since the iPad's debut.

Over the past several years, the Disney/ABC Television Group has consistently launched innovative apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. In April 2010, in conjunction with the debut of iPad, DATG became the first to deliver ad-supported, full-length video via the acclaimed ABC Player App. Other notable DATG apps include the critically-acclaimed ABC News App for iPad; the Emmy Award-winning official Oscars App which provided unique backstage viewing experiences for the 83rd and 84th Academy Awards; and the recently released ABC Family App which allows full episode viewing of the channel's original series.

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