Social networking, a phenomenon which has experienced enormous growth since MySpace brought it into the mainstream, apparently has become so profitable that even Disney, mastermind behind animated classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, cannot resist its lure. Disney has reportedly bought Canadian site Club Penguin, a child-oriented virtual chatroom involving penguin avatars, for $350 million. According to figures released by Disney, Club Penguin boasts more than 12 million activated members, primarily from the US and Canada; founded in 2005, it is one of the fastest growing sites for kids aged six to fourteen. On the purchase, Disney President and CEO Bob Iger said, "Club Penguin embodies principles that are of the utmost importance to Disney, providing high-quality family entertainment and fostering parental trust." The new service will be called Disney's Club Penguin, and while the three original founders, Lane Merrifield, Dave Krysko and Lance Priebe, will join Disney's management team, the site will still remained based in Kelowna, Canada.

View: Full Story on vnunet.com
View: Club Penguin Homepage


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(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by glitch409 on 03 Aug 2007 - 01:02
Quote -
a child-oriented virtual chatroom
This isnt going to end well for Disney.
Quote this comment #1.1 Posted by RAID 0 on 03 Aug 2007 - 01:19
I was thinking the same thing. Let's just hope the chat rooms and such are monitored VERY closely as to avoid the pedos from talking to kids.
(2 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by someone173 on 03 Aug 2007 - 01:52
lmao, i made an account for no apparent reason, and im 14, so i have a reason. but i use it to annoy people. =P
Quote this comment #2.1 Posted by darkyi on 03 Aug 2007 - 02:16
We are so proud of you, pinnacle of the internet society. :
Quote this comment #2.2 Posted by RAID 0 on 03 Aug 2007 - 02:39
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Quote - (someone173 said @ #2)
lmao, i made an account for no apparent reason, and im 14, so i have a reason. but i use it to annoy people. =P


Another shining example of why kids should NOT be on the Internet with out parental supervision.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by Soham on 03 Aug 2007 - 02:30
NBC is joining too
(3 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by Naughty Dog on 03 Aug 2007 - 03:17
Nothing is ever really cool with disney other than their older 1999-- movies and pirates of the caribbean. All else sucks with them IMO
Quote this comment #4.1 Posted by gonzoislost on 03 Aug 2007 - 07:08
I agree. Disney is tring so hard to be cool, when all they are doing is being stupid. i mean, if they are gonna have a true story. tell the truth. if someone became gay have that, otherwise sell the contract to another movie compney. If I'm gonna watch a movie bassed off a true story i want the truth, not part of it because disney considers it worng. whitch the gay part is. but on other stuff.

I'm really was surpised when pirates came out. thats rated PG13. First ever PG13 moive from disney, but then if walt was still alive all we see is more gay crap, with people dancing around all happy and hugging everyone. plus moisty cartoons.

Disney channel is slowing going back to what it should be, but it needs to elamtate the shows with no plot lines,(Practly all of them) and produce shows with actull plot lines. Its alright for the 3rd season for two teens to date and kiss, but dont do the "ahhhhh" as thats complety childish. The Final epsode can be what sicoms of the 90s had, them moving on or getting maired. rather then them on a kiddie show or staying in town and blah blah. /whats the point in doing a TV show if theres no plot?

as for the "myspace" style disney. bad move unless its gonna have a moderator on 24/7, but all its gonna attract is little kids and old people who love disney.
Quote this comment #4.2 Posted by MrCobra on 03 Aug 2007 - 10:21
It's funny to me that Disney would complain about anything being wrong considering the life style that Walt and his family led. The Disney company wasn't created for childrens entertainment for no reason.
Quote this comment #4.3 Posted by gonzoislost on 04 Aug 2007 - 03:18
Quote - (MrCobra said @ #4.2)
It's funny to me that Disney would complain about anything being wrong considering the life style that Walt and his family led. The Disney company wasn't created for childrens entertainment for no reason.


well yeah look at Walt. He was scared to death of mice, and yet he created the icon for disney. a mouse.

Disney voting no smoking in their movies, ok move, but theres much worse then smoking. they might as well go back to all G rated movies, no PG and PG13 (pirates)
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by gonzoislost on 03 Aug 2007 - 07:12
I'm also glad they moved on from a 65 episode limnt. why 65? devwlop a plot and have the show go on for 4 or 5 seasons, may be even more if its that popluar.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by Croquant on 03 Aug 2007 - 17:15
Walt Disney just rolled over in his grave.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by Magallanes on 03 Aug 2007 - 18:06
This new site deserve the seal of:

Quote this comment #7.1 Posted by TRC on 03 Aug 2007 - 21:44
It's not a new site, it's been around for at least two years. My little cousin goes on it all the time, it's strictly moderated and no personal information at all is taken. Unless you are a total loser of a parent who doesn't talk to their kids or pay attention to what they are doing on the computer there's nothing dangerous about it.
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