OH BOY! The Disney XD channel launch event started as a green brick road to drummers, bubblegum drinks and boy food.

Cobus Bodenstein/YIP

The launch event of the new Disney XD channel (DStv 304) in South Africa brought drummers, blue bubblegum lollipops and Disney representatives who jet'ixed in from overseas.

Guest were welcomed at the Disney XD channel launch event by a specially laid out green brick road at the Turbine Hall in the heart of Newtown and ushered into the cellar room with green and blue bean bags where a green and grey ''XD'' stage basking in blue and green spotlights awaited. Along the green brick road there was a drinks and sweets counter on the one side and a terraced table filled with blue cupcakes on the other.

South Africa's biggest drumming act, 1st Project, opened the official Disney XD launch event in a splendid and perfect percussion opening act while guests sipped on wonderful green Crème Soda in whiskey glasses with short straws and blue bubblegum lollipops in them.

In attendance were from Disney, Christine Service, the country manager for Disney in South Africa the past 7 years as well as Marciej Bral, vice president and general manager for Disney Channels for South Africa and the Middle East. A group of Disney delegates also jet'ixed in from Europe for the event and wondered if there were time to see some lions afterwards.

The ever-wonderful Aletta Alberts, general manager for content at MultiChoice South Africa was on hand with the smallest side microphone peeking from the side of her head that I've ever seen. She's off to attend the annual LA screenings next week.
Eben Greyling, CEO of pay TV platforms at MultiChoice parent MIH and who rarely ventures to channel launches, also made a rare appearance. A large contingent of ad buyers and other trade representatives flocked together in a corner of the hall while the journalists roamed for food.

Against one wall a spray paint artist rendered graffiti of the Disney XD channel logo.










Guests munched on sushi, mini hotdogs, hamburgers and pizzas while stuffing themselves with chips. The food at the Disney XD channel launch was plenty, the right choice, and top notch. The drinks counter was filled with sweets from green and blue mini Frizzers to popcorn and other cool ''boy'' snacks. Guests left with Disney XD emblazoned skateboards.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice and Disney launch brand-new Disney XD channel for boys in South Africa.
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ALSO READ: MultiChoice expanding its relationship with Disney in South Africa and Africa.