Go.com

[daisyobear]

Good article - these are the kind of thimgs that will integrate Disney into web users lives in the long run:

New MSN Kids Channel Brings Internet to Life for Children of All Ages


Premier Children's Content From Discovery and Disney Positions MSN as Kids'

Home on the Web

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The MSN(R) network of integrated content and services today announced that later this week it will launch its new MSN Kids channel, rounding out its family of content with a focus on helping children get the most from the Web. The new MSN Kids channel, found at http://www.msn.com, will feature premier content from leading consumer brands, including Discovery.com and Walt Disney Internet Group. MSN, the No. 1 Internet destination worldwide, has evolved into a comprehensive destination that people of all ages can count on for complete content and high-quality services.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

"We are thrilled to bring together the leaders in kids' content and programming to MSN to deliver an exciting and unique experience for children," said Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of MSN Marketing at Microsoft Corp. "Through our relationships with Disney and Discovery, we aim to deliver a special place for kids on the Internet in which they can safely learn, play and have fun."

MSN Kids will bring the best of Discovery and Disney to kids all in one meeting place where they can come together and access superior content, making it easy and fun to hang out on the Web. Children of all ages will not find one site anywhere else on the Web with Croc Hunter and Mickey Mouse in the same place. In keeping with its strategic direction, MSN once again is building relationships with premier name brands to deliver to consumers the best of the Web. Discovery and Disney, both respected name brands, will be a cornerstone of the MSN Kids channel.

Children will enjoy premier content in games, entertainment, sports, news, arts, activities and learning. MSN, along with Discovery and Disney, is taking special care to develop unique content for children aged 9 and under and those aged 10 to 12, helping them get more from the Web.

MSN is committed to taking all necessary measures to maintain the safety and security of children who visit MSN Kids and will provide additional tools designed specially for children. For example, Microsoft has pioneered Kids Passport as a safe and secure tool for allowing children to surf the Web with support from their parents and Web providers who design their content appropriately. In addition, Microsoft has teamed with the American Libraries Association to form Stay Safe Online, a 15-minute animated tutorial that teaches children safe online practices through education, adult supervision and technology. These tools will allow parents to determine whether their children will participate in online services that collect and/or disclose personal information.

Discovery.com will provide family-friendly, real-world content and interactive fun and games on the MSN Kids channel. MSN Kids will include unique Discovery.com content on a wide range of activities that inspire and inform, from building a roller coaster to real-life backyard adventures such as where to find a local dinosaur dig or simply how to find homework help. Kids and parents alike can feel secure in turning to Discovery.com's content for high-quality, inventive experiences.

"Our mission, both on our networks and online, is to broaden our audience's horizons through high-quality storytelling that appeals to their natural sense of curiosity," said William Allman, senior vice president and general manager of Discovery.com. "As a central part of the MSN Kids channel, we are excited to bring our extraordinary adventures directly to kids looking for the thrill of new discoveries."

Disney.com will include an array of content for kids of all ages on the MSN Kids channel. Children will find ZoogDisney, an area dedicated to convergence with the Disney Channel; Zeether, a unique destination of interactive entertainment and storytelling for older kids; Playhouse, which features Mouse House Jr. and Worlds of Disney for Disney fans ages 3 to 6; and an Internet news service targeted at children ages 8 through 12 called ABCNEWS4Kids.com. Disney.com also will provide age-specific destinations and activities, including an "Under Nine" home page with links to Zeether and Disney's One Saturday Morning areas, as well as areas dedicated to pets and animals, entertainment, games and hobbies.

"Our goal is to provide consumers with easy access to our material on the Web," said Larry Shapiro, executive vice president, Corporate Development, Walt Disney Internet Group. "By serving as a premier content provider to the new MSN Kids channel, we are making it even easier for Disney fans to find our content online, including games, activities and information on Disney movies."

With the addition of the MSN Kids channel, MSN underlines its commitment to offer the best content and services to consumers online. Along with high-quality services such as MSN Shopping, the MSN Hotmail(R) Web-based e-mail service and MSN Search, the MSN Kids channel gives everyone on the Internet another reason to make MSN their home on the Web. The channel will provide kids with easy access to all the fun and learning that they could ever want -- on the Web.