Disney Junior (Australian TV channel)

Disney Junior was an Australian pay television channel. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company in Australia and was the sister network of the flagship property Disney Channel. The channel was originally launched 2005 as Playhouse Disney, with programming targeted towards children aged 2 to 7, as well as their families, with original series and movies. The channel was relaunched as Disney Junior on 21 December, 2012[2]

This article is about Disney Junior in Australia. For the original, American version, see Disney Junior. For other international versions, see List of Disney Junior TV channels.

Disney Junior
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaAustralia
New Zealand (2005–19)
Pacific Islands
HeadquartersRichmond, Victoria
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format576i (SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company (Australia)
Disney Channels Worldwide
(Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International)
Sister channelsDisney Channel (1996-2020)
Disney XD (2014–19)
History
Launched5 December 2005 (2005-12-05)[1]
Closed30 April 2020 (2020-04-30)
Former namesPlayhouse Disney (2005–12)

The channel's programming is composed of original animated series television series sourced from Disney Junior in the United States, as well as screenings of Disney's theatrical releases and other acquired programming.

After indications that Disney Channel and Disney Junior would close in early 2020 due to the launch of Disney+ and expiring contracts, Foxtel advised that negotiations with Disney were continuing to keep broadcasting the networks.[3] However, Sky confirmed that both channels would close in New Zealand from 30 November 2019.[4][5] Foxtel confirmed that the channels would be leaving their service at the end of February 2020, and on Fetch TV on 30 April.[6]

Programming

Disney Junior's programming schedule mainly consisted of animated series for children, sourced from Disney Junior in the United States. Titles airing in the 2010s have included Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jake and the Never Land Pirates.[2][7]

Disney Junior's schedule also included internationally produced series acquired by Disney Channel Worldwide, including PJ Masks, Claude, Gigantosaurus, 101 Dalmatian Street and Go Away, Unicorn!.[8][9][10][11]

The channel aired event screenings of Disney's theatrical releases, including Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas.[12]

Disney Junior Australia had also commissioned and produced original local series, including The Book of Once Upon a Time, which featured Australian voices reading classic and contemporary Disney stories.[13] The network also debuted Alphabet Street in 2019.[14]

References
  1. Alarcon, Camille (29 May 2011). "Disney makes new friends". News. B & T Weekly. 54 (2546): 23. ISSN 1325-9210. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  2. Knox, David (25 May 2011). "Playhouse Disney rebrands as Disney Junior from Sunday". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  3. Perry, Kevin (5 October 2019). "Foxtel prepared for life without Disney Channels". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  4. Keall, Chris (5 October 2019). "Sky renews Sevens deal to 2023, loses Disney channels". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  5. Ramsey, Teresa (22 November 2019). "Sky's Disney channels to close". Stuff.co.nz. Stuff Limited. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  6. Blackiston, Hannah (5 February 2020). "Disney pulls channels from Foxtel". Mumbrella. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  7. Knox, David (28 November 2010). "Week 48: the winner announced". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  8. Knox, David (27 March 2016). "Airdate: PJ Masks". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  9. Milligan, Mercedes (5 February 2018). "Sixteen South's Claude Heads to Disney Junior with Pedigree Cast". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  10. Whyte, Alexandra (14 June 2017). "Disney Channels EMEA makes trio of commissions". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  11. Whyte, Alexandra (6 October 2017). "Sonar dives into Go Away, Unicorn! production". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  12. Knox, David (1 December 2009). "Summer treats for kids". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  13. Kate (24 August 2015). "Disney Junior The Book of Once Upon A Time". Laughing Kids Learn. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  14. "Paper Moose animated kids series Alphabet Street launches on Disney Junior". Film Ink. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
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