Advanced Television

Jetix Italy MBO

July 15, 2009

Walt Disney Company has agreed to a management buy-out of its Jetix channels in Italy. The management team, led by MD Francesco Nespega has established Switchover Media to take control of two Disney-owned channels in the territory.

The deal comes as Disney continues its Jetix rebranding effort across Europe, dropped the boy-skewing channel’s name in favour of Disney XD.

Switchover Media will take 100% ownership of the GXT and K2 kids channels and will continue to manage other Jetix activities in the country till Disney XD arrives in autumn, according to C21 Media.

GXT is the pay-TV channel targeted at young males and is exclusively available through Sky Italia to 4.7 million homes, while K2 is aimed at kids aged 4-14 and is distributed via digital terrestrial to 8.5 million homes, via satellite to 6.5 million homes and – for two hours per day – via analogue terrestrial to 17 million homes.

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