Finale of LOST to be brought to International Viewers Faster than ever before

FINALE OF "LOST" TO BE BROUGHT TO INTERNATIONAL VIEWERS FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE

Fans in UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Turkey to Enjoy Final Episode at the Same Time as U.S. West Coast, Sunday, May 23, 9:00-11:30 p.m., PT

London/Hong Kong -- The Walt Disney Company today announced that the two-and-a-half-hour finale of "Lost" will be made available to international platforms faster than the series has ever been before, in line with global demand. The continually accelerated international delivery of this groundbreaking show is in keeping with Disney's commitment to offer consumers legitimate, flexible ways in which to enjoy its must-see programming.

Driven by fan demand - and regardless of the international time difference - the non-subtitled finale will be simultaneously broadcast with the U.S. West Coast telecast (May 23, from 9:00 p.m., PT) on Sky1 in the UK, Fox Italia and Telecom Italia in Italy, Cuatro Spain, Fox Spain and Portugal, Digiturk Turkey, HOT Israel. CTV Canada will broadcast the finale at the same time as the U.S. East Coast.

In total, 59 countries around the world will air the final episode from 24-48 hours after the U.S. broadcast, with subtitles for viewers in non-English speaking territories. The series is licensed as part of their existing 'Hot from the U.S.' agreements with Disney Media Distribution, which bring series such as "Lost," "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy" to international platforms in a 24-48 hour window from U.S. broadcast.

Ben Pyne, president, Global Distribution, Disney Media Networks, commented: "'Lost's' intrinsic global appeal and enthusiastic international following have driven a demand to create innovative windowing opportunities to air the programming on earlier and more convenient platforms. Since the show's first season, we have greatly accelerated all of our U.S. network series' international delivery, broadcast and marketing, and so it's fitting that many international fans will be able to enjoy its spectacular finale in concert with its U.S. broadcast."

Since its premiere in 2004, "Lost" has been licensed to over 220 international territories by Disney Media Distribution, and has become a global sensation, spawning a huge and devoted following all over the world. It has amassed numerous industry awards and was a 2008 recipient of the prestigious Peabody Award, and awarded the 2005 Emmy and 2006 Golden Globe for Best Drama Series. At the end of its sixth and final season, "Lost" will have aired 114 episodes (121 episodic hours). Oceanic Air flight 815 tore apart in mid-air and crashed on a Pacific island, leaving 48 passengers alive and stranded on a remote island in the South Pacific. The survivors include a diverse group of people from different walks of life -- a doctor, an escaped fugitive, a con man, an Iraqi interrogator, a married Korean couple and a man formerly confined to a wheelchair who is now inexplicably healed. As the castaways attempt to get home, flashbacks (and forwards) illuminate their troubled lives before and after the crash, as the island that they find themselves stranded on begins to slowly reveal its mysterious nature. Faith, reason, destiny and free will all clash as the island offers opportunities for both corruption and redemption... but as to its true purpose? That's the greatest mystery of all.

"Lost" stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Jeff Fahey as Frank Lapidus, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Ken Leung as Miles, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Terry O'Quinn as Locke and Zuleikha Robinson as Ilana.

"Lost" was created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof. Abrams, Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jean Higgins, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Jack Bender and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers. "Lost," which is filmed entirely on location in Hawaii, is from ABC Studios.

*International broadcasters who will be able to make the episode available from 24-48 hours after the U.S. West Coast telecast include, in alphabetical order:

* Belgacom Belgium
* Canal Plus Poland
* Deutsche Telekom Germany
* Digiturk
* Fox Italia
* HOT Israel
* 'N' Poland
* Orbit Showtime Middle East
* Portugal Telecom
* RTE Ireland
* SBS Netherlands
* Channel 7 Australia
* 7TWO Australia
* Singtel mio TV Singapore
* Sogecable Spain
* Telenet Belguim
* Telecom Italia
* TF1 France

Source: ABC