Disney keeps “Alice” in the ABC Family

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Fresh from its theater opening as the biggest 3D movie debut ever, “Alice in Wonderland” is heading to television – but not until 2012. ABC Family won the bidding for network television premiere rights.


While it may sound logical that the new big screen adaption of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale from the 19th Century by Walt Disney Pictures would end up on a Disney network, don’t forget that director Tim Burton and others with a financial stake would insist that the best deal possible be struck. That deal put together by Disney-ABC Domestic Television was for the movie, which made its theater debut on March 5th, to make its TV debut two years hence on ABC Family.

“We’re thrilled to bring ‘Alice in Wonderland’ to ABC Family viewers. This Disney film has been one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and with its captivating sense of fun and imaginative spirit, it is a perfect fit our Millennial viewers,” said Tom Zappala, Executive Vice President, Program Acquisitions & Scheduling, ABC Cable Networks Group.

“Alice in Wonderland” is an epic 3D fantasy adventure that takes a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. Johnny Depp stars as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends — the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. The all-star cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Crispin Glover. The screenplay is by Linda Woolverton.

Capturing the wonder of Lewis Carroll’s beloved “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) and “Through the Looking-Glass” (1871) with stunning, avant-garde visuals and the most charismatic characters in literary history, “Alice in Wonderland” is now in theaters in Disney Digital 3D.

Part of the Disney-ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 98 million homes.

RBR-TVBR observation: How many 3D television sets will be in US households by 2012? This movie will certainly be one of the ones to drive consumer adoption.