Disney, ABC to combine resources for interactive markets. (Capital Cities/ABC, Walt Disney Co.)

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Disney plus Capital Cities/ABC equals a media powerhouse with the wherewithal to emerge as one of the leading content and distribution systems in the world.

As a result of Disney's $19.5 billion purchase of Capcities/ABC, the new partners have the opportunity to fuse their interactive strategies into a potent combination. "We are two companies that are extremely complementary and potentially could become a powerhouse in the interactive world," says Steve McBeth, president of Disney Interactive.

McBeth says it is too soon to discuss specific projects, but that the deal with ABC will "open up access to brand names …