or


[02/06/12 - 11:19 AM]
Disney Media Distribution Signs Agreements to Premiere "The River" in Eight Countries Around the Globe in Conjunction With the Series' U.S. Premiere
Poland, Canada, South Korea, Netherlands, Sweden, Philippines, Norway and Israel will carry the series either day-and-date or within 24-48 hours of the U.S. premiere.

[via press release from Disney-ABC Domestic Television]

DISNEY MEDIA DISTRIBUTION SIGNS AGREEMENTS TO PREMIERE "THE RIVER" IN EIGHT COUNTRIES AROUND THE GLOBE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SERIES' U.S. PREMIERE

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.

Famed explorer Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) went looking for magic deep in the uncharted Amazon and never returned. The shocking truth about his disappearance is out there, waiting to be discovered. To the millions of kids who grew up watching his show, Dr. Cole was a hero. To his own son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), he was more of an enigma. Now, six months after he vanished, Lincoln is finally ready to bury the past when Dr. Cole's emergency beacon suddenly goes off. At the urging of his mother, Tess (Leslie Hope), Lincoln reluctantly joins her on a search for his father. To fund the rescue, they agree to let Dr. Cole's cagey ex-producer, Clark (Paul Blackthorne), film the mission documentary-style. The mixed crew of old friends and new acquaintances includes the alluring and resourceful Lena (Eloise Mumford), loyal mechanic Emilio (Daniel Zacapa) and lethal bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson (Thomas Kretschmann).

"The River" stars Bruce Greenwood ("Star Trek") as Dr. Emmet Cole, Joe Anderson ("The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 and 2") as Lincoln Cole, Leslie Hope ("24") as Tess Cole, Eloise Mumford ("Lone Star") as Lena Landry, Paul Blackthorne ("Lipstick Jungle") as Clark Quietly, Thomas Kretschmann ("King Kong") as Captain Kurt Brynildson, Daniel Zacapa ("Resurrection Blvd.") as Emilio Valenzuela, Shaun Parkes ("The Mummy Returns") as Andreus Jude ("AJ") Poulain and Paulina Gait�n ("Sin Nombre") as Jahel Valenzuela.

"The River," from Amblin's Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Television's Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, and showrunner/executive producer Michael Green ("Heroes," "Kings"), is also executive-produced by Oren Peli (creator of "Paranormal Activity"), Zack Estrin ("Prison Break") - who also serves as showrunner -- Jason Blum ("Paranormal Activity 1, 2 and 3") and Steven Schneider. Created by Oren Peli & Michael R. Perry; teleplay by Michael Green and Michael R. Perry; story by Oren Peli & Michael R. Perry. The pilot is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and produced by ABC Studios.

"The River" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.





  [february 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· RIVER, THE (ABC)





[10/24/25 - 02:30 PM]
Video: First Look at Upcoming New Drama "Memory of a Killer" Starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli - Premiering This January on FOX
Dempsey stars as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret - he has developed early onset Alzheimer's.

[10/24/25 - 02:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's Most-Watched Newsmagazine Across the Board
In addition, "20/20" posted its best Adults 25-54 in more than four months.

[10/24/25 - 02:01 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 Across the Board, Leading NBC in All Key Demos for the 4th Straight Week
"Nightline" grew year to year across the board: Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[10/24/25 - 01:05 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Makes Television History - Rising for Fifth Straight Week
The October 21 episode scored 6.63 million Total Viewers and a 1.38 rating among Adults 18-49, hitting new season highs in both demographics.

[10/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "Hollywood Arts," A Brand-New Spinoff of Hit Live-Action, "Victorious," with Daniella Monet Returning as Star and Executive Producer
The series is set to debut on Netflix in 2026, followed by releases on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

[10/24/25 - 07:14 AM]
FOX Sports Readies for Major League Baseball's 121st World Series Presented by Capital One
Action leads off Friday, October 24, between the National League and current reigning World champion Los Angeles Dodgers and American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind" Season 9: The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Denver singles shake up their search for "the one" and step into the pods, braving twists, turns and love triangles to find their soulmate sight unseen.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Experience the Family, the Fun, and the Fantastic! Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" Lands Exclusively on Disney+ November 5
Continuing the celebration of Marvel's First Family, the announcement was made live from SpaceCon 2025 in San Antonio, where The Fantastic Four: First Steps Immersive Pop-Up Experience invites attendees to step inside the iconic Baxter Building.

[10/24/25 - 06:00 AM]
The CW Network and Xfinity Celebrate 11 Years of the NASCAR Xfinity Series by Presenting the Third Stage of the Championship Race Commercial-Free
Taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, November 1, the commercial-free stage presented by Xfinity was created to thank the loyal race fans who have supported the NASCAR Xfinity Series for more than a decade - helping the series grow through their unwavering enthusiasm, increased viewership, and continued trackside attendance.

[10/23/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "As You Stood By" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives - threatening to shatter everything they've carefully planned.

[10/23/25 - 02:33 PM]
Largest Audience for "NBA Tip-Off" Doubleheader Since 2010 as NBA Returned to NBC and Debuted on Peacock
Tuesday night's audience across NBC and Peacock peaked at 7.1 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a one-point win over the Houston Rockets in double overtime.

[10/23/25 - 02:28 PM]
The 305 Just Got Hotter: "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" Moves to BET Season 7 Premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 8 PM ET/PT
The upcoming seventh season dives deeper than ever into Miami's thriving entertainment scene, following a cast of stars who are rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining success in real time.

[10/23/25 - 01:30 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Noir Thriller, "Dark Winds," to Return to AMC and AMC+ Sunday, February 15
The series' gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.

[10/23/25 - 12:01 PM]
Video: BET+ Releases Trailer for Horror Film "A Demon's Revenge"
In the film, following the bloodshed in Belize, Peaches, played by Jhoné Lucas, delves deeper into Caribbean folklore and the terrifying truth that lurks beneath.

[10/23/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Acquires Equity Stake in Chain, Forging Strategic Partnership with Experiential Food Phenomenon Co-Founded by B.J. Novak
Included in the investment is a first look development deal through Chain Media.