ABC to Give Away a Million Free iTunes Downloads

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 announced today it will offer one million free downloads of last season's finales of Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and Lost as part of ABC and iTunes "Million Hit Lowdown" promotion which is designed to catch viewers up on their favorite shows before the new season premieres.

"By offering hit ABC programming on multiple platforms, we're ensuring that the largest audience possible is able to view these series," said Albert Cheng, executive vice president, Digital Media, Disney-ABC Television Group. "Working together with iTunes, we've not only been able to provide viewers with choice in terms of when and how they view our shows, but have also increased overall awareness of the ABC brand and our quality content."

"We're delighted to be partnering in a huge promotion that makes sure fans are excited and ready for the new season of ABC's most popular shows," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "With over 220 TV programs available, iTunes is clearly the best destination for downloading top TV programming this fall."

In addition to the three series finales, ABC will also offer unlimited iTunes downloads of special highlight shows for each of the three series, featuring commentary from show producers and the expert editors at People Magazine and Entertainment Weekly. The three specials -- "Getting Into Grey's Anatomy," "The Lost Survival Guide" and "Desperate Housewives: Time to Come Clean" -- provide overviews of each of the series from their first season to the present, so fans get a new point of view and new viewers can get caught up.

"We are always looking for innovative new ways for viewers to connect with our programming," said Michael Benson, senior vice president, Marketing, ABC Entertainment. "This promotion allows people the chance to see the season finales of our hit shows along with new highlight specials for free before the new season begins. This is a first-of-its-kind promotion that will reward fans as well as new viewers."

From SEPTEMBER 14 through OCTOBER 4, users who visit www.abc.com and click on the "Million Hit Lowdown" link will be taken directly to the iTunes Store, where they have a choice of downloading last season's finale of either "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" or "Lost." In addition to the free download of one of the finales, they can also get unlimited free downloads of all three highlight specials.

Later this month, episodes from the upcoming season of "Grey's Anatomy," as well as new episodes of "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" will be available for purchase for $1.99 per episode on iTunes the day after they are broadcast on ABC. Episodes from the first and second seasons of "Grey's Anatomy" will also be available.

"Grey's Anatomy," which is produced by Touchstone Television, joins a vast array of entertainment and news programming from the Disney-ABC Television Group available for purchase on the iTunes Music Store, including ABC's "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives"; Disney Channel's "That's So Raven," "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" and "Hannah Montana"; Playhouse Disney's "Little Einsteins"; Jetix's "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!," "Power Rangers: Mystic Force" and "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers"; ABC Family's "Kyle XY" and "Wildfire"; SOAPnet's "Soapography" and "I Wanna Be A Soap Star"; and originally-produced videos including exclusive interviews and raw footage from ABC News.

This announcement is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group's overall Digital Media multiplatform business initiative and demonstrates the Group's ongoing commitment to launching new digital products and working with strategic partners in the digital media space to make its high-quality, informative and entertaining content available to consumers whenever and wherever they choose.

Disney-ABC Television Group is home to all of The Walt Disney Company's worldwide entertainment and news television properties. The Group includes the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel's worldwide portfolio of kids' channels, ABC Family and SOAPnet; as well as television production and syndication divisions Touchstone Television, Walt Disney Television Animation, Buena Vista Worldwide Television and Walt Disney Television International. Disney-ABC Television Group also manages the Radio Disney Network in addition to the Company's equity interest in Lifetime Entertainment Services, A&E Television Networks and E! Networks.