Disney Junior (Canadian TV channel) explained

Disney Junior
Logo Alt:A black Disney logo with a large 3D word "Junior" underneath in red with the letter "i" styled in the form of Mickey Mouse
Picture Format:1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Owner:Corus Entertainment (Branding licensed from Disney Branded Television)
Country:Canada
Language:English
Area:Nationwide
Headquarters:Toronto, Ontario

Disney Junior is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment which launched on December 1, 2015. It is a localized version of the U.S. network owned by The Walt Disney Company, broadcasting animated programming aimed at children and preschoolers ages 2 to 8.

History

Prior to September 18, 2015, DHX Media (now WildBrain) operated Disney Junior-branded television services in Canada in the English and French languages as spin-offs of Family Channel since May 6, 2011. In April 2015, Corus acquired Canadian rights to Disney Channel's programming and associated brands. Upon the announcement of the rights deal, Corus stated that it would launch "select Disney branded kids linear television offerings" in the future, after the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel.[1] [2] [3] [4]

In August 2015, television provider VMedia stated on its website that Corus would launch Disney Junior and Disney XD channels on December 1, 2015.[5] Upon its launch on September 1, 2015, Disney Channel aired a programming block featuring Disney Junior programs.[6] DHX's Disney Junior services were re-branded as Family Jr. and Télémagino on September 18.[7]

Corus's Disney Junior channel officially launched on December 1, 2015 alongside their Disney XD channel.[8] DHX's rights to broadcast Disney Junior programming expired on January 1, 2016.

On September 1, 2017, the channel obtained a discretionary service licence;[9] it had been operating as an exempt channel before then.[10]

There is no French-language counterpart, however, Disney La Chaîne offers the morning programming block Disney Junior sur La Chaîne Disney to carry network programming in the French language.

On April 21, 2018, the network aired its first film, The Lion King (1994), and has continued to air films since then, such as Cars, Cars 2, and Finding Nemo.

Programming

[11]

Current

Original programming

Animated series
Title Premiere date Source(s)
Alice's Wonderland BakeryFebruary 12, 2022
Firebuds September 24, 2022
Mickey Mouse Funhouse August 22, 2021
Spidey and His Amazing Friends August 7, 2021
May 4, 2023
SuperKitties January 12, 2023
Pupstruction June 17, 2023
Ariel June 29, 2024
Acquired programming
Title Premiere date Source(s)
Bluey October 4, 2020
Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes March 25, 2023
PJ MasksFebruary 7, 2016
Acquired from Treehouse TV

Original programming

Title Premiere date Source(s)
Sofia the First December 1, 2015 – August 31, 2019
September 1, 2023 (current run)
Puppy Dog Pals April 23, 2017
T.O.T.S. June 22, 2019 – August 29, 2022
September 1, 2023 (current run)
Acquired programming
Title Premiere date Source(s)
The Berenstain Bears September 3, 2016 – August 30, 2018
July 31, 2023 (current run)
Little Charmers December 31, 2018
Maggie and the Ferocious Beast March 10, 2023
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! August 15, 2020
Mike the Knight January 1, 2018 – March 9, 2023
July 31, 2023 (current run)
The Remarkable Mr. King September 11, 2021
Trucktown September 1, 2018
The ZhuZhus November 20, 2017

Upcoming

Original programming

Animated series
Title Premiere date Source(s)
Hey A.J. 2024
Kindergarten: The Musical 2024
Robogobo 2024
Dusty Dupree TBA
Untitled Royal Prep Academy Series TBA
Tiny Trailblazers TBA

Former

Original programming

Title Premiere date Finale date Note(s)
Doc McStuffins December 1, 2015
November 6, 2020
September 1, 2020
September 1, 2021
Elena of Avalor July 23, 2016 September 1, 2020
Goldie & Bear December 1, 2015 September 1, 2019
Handy Manny December 1, 2015 August 31, 2016
Henry Hugglemonster December 1, 2015 August 26, 2017
Jake and the Never Land Pirates December 1, 2015 August 28, 2017 [12]
The Lion Guard January 17, 2016 September 1, 2020
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse December 1, 2015 September 1, 2019
Miles from Tomorrowland December 1, 2015 September 1, 2019
The Rocketeer November 10, 2019 August 30, 2020
Sheriff Callie's Wild West December 1, 2015 August 28, 2017
Special Agent Oso December 1, 2015 August 31, 2016
Imagination Movers December 1, 2015 August 31, 2016
Vampirina October 7, 2017 August 28, 2021
Fancy Nancy July 14, 2018 August 29, 2022
Muppet Babies March 23, 2018 August 29, 2022
The Chicken Squad May 16, 2021 August 2022
Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures January 21, 2017 August 29, 2022
Eureka! June 25, 2022 June 11, 2023
Mira, Royal Detective March 22, 2020 September 1, 2023

Acquired programming

Title Premiere date Finale date Note(s)
Chuggington January 23, 2017
July 5, 2021
January 1, 2021
March 9, 2023
Dinopaws August 28, 2017 December 30, 2018
Gigantosaurus January 19, 2019 September 1, 2023
Guess with Jess December 1, 2015
December 5, 2016
September 2, 2016
December 30, 2016
Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs January 6, 2020 August 15, 2020
Jane and the Dragon December 1, 2015 September 2, 2016
My Big Big Friend September 1, 2018 February 25, 2019
My Friend Rabbit December 1, 2015 August 30, 2018
Pikwik Pack January 14, 2022 August 2023
Rolie Polie Olie December 1, 2015 August 30, 2018
Timothy Goes to School September 3, 2016 August 27, 2017
Willa's Wild Life December 1, 2015 August 30, 2018
Zigby January 2, 2017 May 28, 2017

Notes and References

  1. Corus Entertainment and Disney/ABC Television Group Join Forces in Landmark Licensing Agreement. CNW Group. Corus Entertainment. April 16, 2015. April 17, 2015. April 17, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150417062006/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1518997/corus-entertainment-and-disney-abc-television-group-join-forces-in-landmark-licensing-agreement. dead.
  2. News: DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels. Toronto Star. November 29, 2013. November 28, 2013.
  3. News: Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content. April 16, 2015. The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press.
  4. Web site: DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done. Cartt.ca. April 16, 2015. April 16, 2015.
  5. Web site: Changes to Kids Channels. August 21, 2015. VMedia. August 26, 2015.
  6. It's #HereForReal Canada! Corus Entertainment Launches Disney Channel in 10 Million Households. September 1, 2015. Corus Entertainment. Toronto. September 2, 2015. September 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210841/http://www.corusent.com/home/Corporate/PressReleases/tabid/1697/Default.aspx?Id=3071. dead.
  7. DHX TELEVISION'S REBRANDED FAMILY JR. AND TÉLÉMAGINO NETWORKS REVEALED TODAY. DHX Media. September 18, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150928132148/http://dhxmedia.com/press-room/851%3Adhx-televisions-rebranded-family-jr-and-telemagino-networks-revealed-today. September 28, 2015.
  8. Web site: Disney XD & Disney Junior to Roll Out in Canada Next Month . WorldScreen . December 1, 2015.
  9. Web site: Corus Entertainment Inc. – Licence renewals for English-language television stations and services. May 15, 2017.
  10. Web site: List of Exempt Category B and Exempt Third-Language Services . www.crtc.gc.ca . 11 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160414051439/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/BCASTING/catb_e3l.htm . 14 April 2016 . dead.
  11. https://www.tvpassport.com/tv-listings/stations/disney-junior-canada-hd/17225 TV Schedule for Disney Junior Canada HD
  12. Web site: Disney Junior. disneychannel.ca Buzz Blog. Corus Entertainment. November 1, 2015. November 2, 2015.