Disney Junior (British and Irish TV channel) explained

Disney Junior
Launch Date: (as Playhouse Disney)
(as Disney Junior)
Replaced By:Disney+ (most of its content)
Picture Format:1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 576i for the SDTV feed)
Former Names:Playhouse Disney (2000–2011)
Owner:The Walt Disney Company Limited
Disney Channels Worldwide
(Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International)
Timeshift Service:Disney Junior +1
Country:United Kingdom
Area:United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta
Headquarters:3 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9PE, United Kingdom

Disney Junior (now known on YouTube as Disney Kids) was a British and Irish pay television kids' TV channel that was owned by Disney–ABC Television Group that focused on preschool programming. It was launched on 29 September 2000 as Playhouse Disney. The channel was rebranded as Disney Junior on 7 May 2011, it later ceased broadcasting on 30 September 2020 due to Disney+.

History

Early programming efforts

When Disney Channel changed its programming focus in 1997, "Disney Channel Underfives" was launched to fill its morning schedule.

On 28 September 1999, the time slot was given its own distinct identity and live-action continuity. By 2000, it had become Playhouse Disney, introducing that branding for the first time outside of the United States. The two main presenters were Dave Benson Phillips and Alex Lovell (referred to as Big Dave and Little Alex), presenting programming from the appropriately titled Playhouse.

Launch as a dedicated channel

On 29 September 2000, Disney Television International launched Playhouse Disney as a standalone channel alongside Toon Disney and Disney Channel +1 on the Sky Digital platform.[1] Since the channel was exclusive to Sky Digital at this time, the Playhouse Disney block continued to broadcast on Disney Channel during school-term weekdays.

Playhouse Disney, alongside the other two networks, were added to NTL from November 2001.[2] and eventually launched on Telewest on 3 December 2003.[3] Following these launches, the Playhouse Disney block reduced its hours of programming featured and was eventually disposed of in July 2004.

The Playhouse presentation format hosted by Big Dave and Little Alex remained until late August 2006.[4]

Transition to standard network

On 28 February 2006, Disney Media Networks and BSkyB announced that Playhouse Disney, in addition to its sister channel Disney Channel would cease as premium add-ons and transition to basic TV packages such as Sky's "Kids Mix" beginning on March 16, and that a new sister channel - Disney Cinemagic would take over Disney's premium offerings, replacing Toon Disney.[5] The transition of Playhouse to a basic network led to a significant broadcast share increase of 83% by July.[6]

In June 2006, a Playhouse Disney block was added to the morning schedule of ABC1.[7] It was removed after Disney ceased transmission of ABC1 in September 2007. ABC1's slot itself on Sky would be used to launch a 25-minute timeshift of Playhouse Disney, which was added on 30 October, and launched on 3 November.[8]

Rebrand as Disney Junior

On 29 January 2011, it was announced that Playhouse Disney would rebrand as Disney Junior on 7 May, as part of a worldwide rebranding.[9] On the date of the rebrand, the channel transitioned to airing in a 16:9 widescreen ratio.

On 21 February 2013, Sky and Disney Channels Worldwide announced that a high-definition simulcast of Disney Junior would launch on Sky in May.[10]

In September 2017, Disney XD +1 was turned into a pop-up channel titled Mickey and Pals, which aired various programming from Disney Junior.

Closure

Disney Junior, along with its sister channels Disney XD and Disney Channel, closed in the UK on 30 September 2020, after 20 years on-air. The closure was previously announced on 25 June that year; all of the channels' content were transferred to Disney's streaming service, Disney+.[11] Virgin Media removed the channels a day before their closure on 29 September, with CBBC and CBeebies taking over the network's former Sky EPG slots on 1 October.

Notes and References

  1. News: Disney launches new channels. July 21, 2014. Brand Republic. MediaWeek. Haymarket Media Group Ltd.. September 13, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816012812/http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/. August 16, 2000. Alt URL
  2. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: New channels on NTL next week . . 2 December 2001 . 4 November 2023 . 4 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104191000/https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/cable/a4348/font-colorcc0000exclusivefont-new-channels-on-ntl-next-week/ . live .
  3. Web site: More Disney channels launch on Telewest . . 3 December 2003 . 4 November 2023 . 4 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104191703/https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/cable/a12578/more-disney-channels-launch-on-telewest/ . live .
  4. Web site: Guardian Unlimited: TV Listings. 22 August 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060822054721/http://www.guardian.co.uk/TV/st418.html. 1 June 2023. 22 August 2006.
  5. Web site: Sky, Disney Media Networks and the Walt Disney Studios Team up for More Family Entertainment, HDTV and Legal Broadband Movie Downloads . 28 February 2006 . 10 January 2023 . 10 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230110163222/https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sky-disney-media-networks-and-the-walt-disney-studios-team-up-for-more-family-entertainment-hdtv-and-legal-broadband-movie-downloads/ . live .
  6. Web site: "Record ratings" for Disney Channel . . 9 July 2006 . 10 January 2023 . 10 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230110163222/https://www.digitalspy.com/media/a34594/quotrecord-ratingsquot-for-disney-channel/ . live .
  7. News: Stewart. Lianne. New kid on the U.K. Freeview block. 3 April 2015. Kidscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd.. 1 April 2006. 7 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150407081713/http://kidscreen.com/2006/04/01/abc-20060401/. live.
  8. Web site: Playhouse Disney timeshift joins Sky EPG . . 30 October 2007 . 23 May 2023 . 23 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523014455/https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/satellite/a78853/playhouse-disney-timeshift-joins-sky-epg/ . live .
  9. Web site: Disney preps Playhouse UK rebrand . 10 January 2023 . 10 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230110163222/https://www.c21media.net/news/disney-preps-playhouse-uk-rebrand/ . live .
  10. Web site: Disney, Sky bow co-branded movie net. C21Media. 21 February 2013. 10 April 2013. 24 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130224045910/http://www.c21media.net/archives/101972. live.
  11. Web site: Kanter. Jake. 2020-06-25. Disney To Close Kids Channels In The UK Following Launch Of Disney+. 2020-06-25. Deadline. en. 16 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231116233841/https://deadline.com/2020/06/disney-to-close-kids-channels-in-the-uk-following-launch-of-disney-1202969592/. live.