ESPN Ranks First in Perceived Value among Cable Networks for Twelfth Consecutive Year

ESPN, ESPN2 Earn High Praise in Beta Cable Operator Study

In Beta Research Corp's annual Cable Operator Evaluation Study, operators named ESPN the network with the most perceived value for the twelfth straight year. Disney and ESPN Media Networks ranked first in nearly every category in the study including network which best drives broadband, high-speed internet, interactive television, HDTV and VOD.

Cable operators also named ESPN as the most important network in their cable system for the eighth straight year with 96% of operators describing ESPN as "very important" for subscriber retention and acquisition.

"For a dozen years, cable operators across the country have consistently ranked ESPN as the single most valuable network for driving their businesses," said David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks. "Not only does ESPN add immeasurable value for our affiliates through broadband and VOD offerings, but we continue to lead industry efforts to protect the multichannel video subscription with authenticated products on multiple platforms."

Additionally:

· ESPN2 ranked second in perceived value among cable operators for the seventh straight year. The network also ranked #9 as the most important network to operators among the 45 measured networks.

· The Disney Channel ranked fourth in greatest perceived value and third in importance of network to cable operators.

· Operators voted Disney/ESPN Media Networks as the most effective network in selling broadband, high-speed internet or interactive television, the most helpful with providing programs on multi-platforms and the most helpful in driving VOD and SVOD efforts.

· Disney and ESPN Media Networks ranked first among unaided mentions of networks providing programs on multi-platforms.

Further, in the Beta Local Ad Sales Executive study, which was also released on Thursday, Feb. 23, Disney and ESPN ranked first for the eighth straight year as the network that generates the most local ad sales revenue, as well as the network with the most appealing demographics.

The Beta Cable Operator study conducted 110 interviews with a range of representatives from individual cable systems between August and October 2011. The Beta Research Corp study measures perceived value of networks to cable systems; importance of networks to cable systems; an evaluation of affiliate representatives and affiliate websites; best marketing support services to drive broadband, iTV, HDTV and VOD efforts as well as programming on smartphones and tablets. The Beta Local Ad Sales Executive study surveyed 101 local ad sales executives between November and December of 2011.