Disney Interactive headquarters in Glendale
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Subsidiary of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media | |
Industry |
Video game industry Internet Information Providers |
Founded | 1995 |
Headquarters | Glendale, California, United States |
Number of locations
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12 |
Key people
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James Pitaro, President |
Products |
Video games Websites Digital Networks |
Revenue | US$982 million |
$308 million loss (2011) | |
Number of employees
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2,000 (March 2014) |
Parent |
Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (The Walt Disney Company) |
Divisions | |
Subsidiaries |
Go.com Playdom (defunct) Maker Studios |
Website | disneyinteractive |
Subsidiary | |
Industry | Internet |
Founded | August 23, 1995 |
Headquarters | United States |
Products | websites |
Parent | Disney Interactive |
Divisions |
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Website | www |
Disney Interactive, formerly known as Disney Interactive Media Group and Walt Disney Internet Group, is an American company that oversees various websites and interactive media owned by The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries.
In December 1994, Disney announced that it was establishing a new division dedicated to publishing computer and video game console software, called Disney Interactive. The initial staff consisted of 200 newly hired employees. The company was formally established in mid-1995. On August 23, 1995, Disney Interactive formed Disney Online unit.
Disney purchased a one-third share of Starwave on April 3, 1997, for $100 million. In January 1998, Disney registered go.com. Exercising its options, Disney purchased the outstanding shares of Starwave from Paul Allen in April 1998. In June 1998, Disney purchased 43% ownership of Infoseek in exchange for Starwave and $70 million. Infoseek and Disney Online joint ventured in developing the Go Network, an internet portal. With Disney's purchase of the remainder of Infoseek in July 1999, the Go Network, Infoseek, the Disney Catalog, Disney Online (Disney.com and DisneyStore.com), ABC News Internet Ventures and ESPN Internet Ventures and Buena Vista Internet Group are merged into the Go.com company.
In August 1996, BVIG took a controlling in interest in toysmart.com with three directors on the board. Toysmart would be granted marketing support including free advertising on BVIG websites like family.com. After an attempted round of financing, Toysmart.com shut down in May 2000.
In June 1999, the Disney Internet Guide is abandoned. The Go.com portal was shut down in 2001 at a cost of $878 million in charges.
In 2004, Disney re-activated the Starwave identity as Starwave Mobile, which publishes casual games for mobile phones for non-Disney brands with in Disney conglomerate or from third party. In December 2004 and partnered with Indiagames, the Walt Disney Internet Group released Disney games, wallpapers and ringtones in the Indian market which is also available on AirTel.