Company Town

Television: Call it Disney goes Deutschland. The entertainment giant is joining with European television broadcaster Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Telediffusion Multi Media to launch a new family channel in Germany starting in January. The satellite-cable channel will be called Super RTL. CLT, which has interests in 10 television stations and 13 radio stations in nine countries, is a major shareholder in Europe’s RTL Television and RTL2 channel. Programs offered over the channel are expected to include animated series, live- action shows, feature films and entertainment specials. The channel is expected to reach up to 35% of German television homes when it is launched. As part of the deal, Disney agreed to be a long-term supplier of programs to CLT Multi Media and to join the company in developing services in other markets. Disney Chairman Michael D. Eisner said the venture will allow Disney to evaluate the potential for similar European services. CLT’s shareholders include Belgium Group, France’s Group Havas and the Paribas Group.