Walt Disney Co (DIS) SEC Filing 10-K Annual report for the fiscal year ending Saturday, October 3, 2009

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2009

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY REPORTS EARNINGS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

BURBANK, Calif. – The Walt Disney Company today reported earnings for the fiscal year and fourth quarter ended October 3, 2009. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the year was $1.76, compared to $2.28 in the prior year. EPS for the current and prior year include certain items that are discussed below. Excluding these items, EPS for the year was $1.82, down 20% from $2.28 in the prior year.

EPS for the current year included a non-cash gain in connection with the merger of Lifetime Entertainment Services (Lifetime) and A&E Television Networks (A&E), a gain on the sale of our investment in two pay television services in Latin America, and restructuring and impairment charges, which collectively had a net adverse impact of $0.06. EPS for the prior year included an accounting gain related to the acquisition of the Disney Stores North America, a gain on the sale of movies.com, the favorable resolution of certain income tax matters, a bad debt charge for a receivable from Lehman Brothers, and an impairment charge, which collectively had no net impact on EPS.

For the quarter, diluted EPS was $0.47 compared to $0.40 in the prior-year quarter. EPS for the current quarter included the gain related to the Lifetime/A&E transaction and restructuring and impairment charges, which together resulted in a net benefit of $0.01, while EPS for the prior-year quarter included the Lehman Brothers bad debt charge and an impairment charge, which together had a net adverse impact of $0.04. Excluding these items, EPS for the quarter increased 5% to $0.46 compared to $0.44 in the prior-year quarter.

“Although last year was a difficult one due in part to the weak global economy, I’m pleased with the way our businesses have responded to the downturn,” said President and CEO Robert A. Iger. “We’ve stayed focused on our long-term strategy, efficiently managed costs, and continued to invest in initiatives to deliver future growth. We also have adapted our organization to respond to and take advantage of the changes taking place in our businesses and will continue to do so as we position Disney to thrive for years to come.”

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