According to a company release, Disney-ABC's total distribution revenues for the Russian market have increased by more than 400 per cent in the last three years.

In terms of cinema, Disney has also had a hugely successful year - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was the number one foreign release of all time in Russia and Ratatouille was the most successful non-sequel feature animation. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Disney Consumer Products and the Walt Disney Internet Group have also seen compelling growth in their Russian business over the past year, the release further states.

With this agreement, Russian viewers will get to see a slate of hit first-run features, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and Wild Hogs and Disney/Pixar titles such as Finding Nemo. In addition, animated classics such as The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan will be shown on free TV in Russia for the first time.

Most of these titles will premiere on Russian TV within Channel One's film timeslot "The Wonderful World of Disney," which will run monthly, for 10 months a year.