Walt Disney Television

John Hardie

John Hardie is Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Walt Disney Television for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In this role, he heads up a group of Disney branded channels - Disney Channel, Toon Disney and Playhouse Disney - with local operations based in London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Munich and Lisbon. The channels can be seen in 65 countries.

There are also 52 Disney branded blocks in 42 countries with local production tailored for each country, airing over 135 hours of Disney programming per week on free TV.

Hardie is also responsible for the UK entertainment channel abc1, the first wholly-owned, non-Disney branded channel outside the U.S. abc1 can be seen on Freeview DTT platform, Telewest Broadband platform, ntl digital and Sky in the UK.

In 2006 Hardie spearheaded The Walt Disney Company's launch of Disney Cinemagic the new UK premium family channel featuring classic Disney animated movies which broadcasts on both satellite (Sky) and cable (ntl: Telewest).

Prior to his current position, between 1997 and 2001, Hardie was marketing and Commercial Director of ITV Network, responsible for marketing, on-air promotion, business affairs, ITV2 and internet activities.

From 1983 to 1997 he worked at Procter & Gamble, the last three years as Managing Director, running the European cosmetics and toiletries business across Europe.