Disney Channel was a Brazilian children's paytelevision channel operated by The Walt Disney Company Brazil, a part of The Walt Disney Company Latin America and the Brazilian local version of the eponymous American cable channel. Launched on 5 April 2001, as a premium channel, it became a basic-tier channel in 2004. The channel closed on 1 March 2025, along with other non-sports Disney channels in Brazil.
The Walt Disney Company was preparing the channel for Latin America as early as 1997, which also included the production of a dedicated Brazilian feed, initially scheduled to launch in 1998. As with the extant international versions of the channel, it had to adapt to local cultures and find local productions for each market.[1]
In the midst of a war for the exclusive rights of certain channels on DTH operators (DirecTV and SKY Brasil), Disney Channel began being involved in potential negotiations, after SKY's exclusive launch of PSN following the arrival of the HBO channels on DirecTV.[2] By April 2000, no agreement had been officially reached between Disney and DirecTV, as well as localization problems, since Disney was not fully finished localization efforts for the channel.[3] For cable, exclusivity chances were minimal.[4] In February 2001, it was announced that the channel would launch its Brazilian feed on April 5.[5] The channel positioned itself as a family channel at launch and planned to include more local content, which initially was set to three hours a day, planning to increase to eight or ten to maximize usage of local talent.[6]
The network had a reciprocal agreement with SBT. In 4 November 2001, a version of Zapping Zone premiered on the OTA network, airing on Sundays.[7] The reverse happened with Muito Mais Popstars, an extension of the Brazilian adaptation of the format that aired on SBT, with Disney Channel airing the program two days after the initial showing on SBT.[8] On 1 July 2002, a localized Playhouse Disney block launched, with the studio segments being filmed in Buenos Aires to optimize resources.[9] On September 1, 2002, the channel aired a Rouge concert, the band that won the first edition of SBT's Popstars.[10]
Disney Channel left DirecTV in March 2003, after Galaxy Latin America entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy status.[11] In order to become a basic cable channel, it was announced in December 2003, that Disney Channel would start carrying commercial advertising, at an event held in Buenos Aires by ESPN's regional marketing team for Brazil and the Southern Cone.[12] On January 15, 2004, Disney Channel was restored on DirecTV; in line with its plans to become a basic cable channel, the channel was promoted to basic tiers.[13]
On 4 August 2005, it was announced in São Paulo that Disney Channel would begin broadcasting on NET, reaching 800,000 subscribers.[14] In December, it started broadcasting on Vivax.[15] On 14 September 2006, it launched on SKY, alongside seven other channels that were previously carried by DirecTV and entered the provider as a result of the merger.[16] Shortly afterwards it started airing a raft of new local productions: the first season of Floribella from Band and Um Menino Muito Maluquinho, adapted from Ziraldo, which was produced for TVE Brasil. The former was distributed by RGB, which previously collaborated with Disney Channel when it had an agreement with SBT.[17]
The success of High School Musical, which also aired on Rede Globo for its over-the-air broadcast at the end of 2006, gave the channel unprecedentedly high ratings, as well as an increase in advertising sales worth 200%.[18]Record aired the local musical (HSM: O Show) at the Morumbi stadium on 24 June 2007, one week after airing on Disney Channel.[19]
In 2009, the channel premiered Quando Toca o Sino, adapted from the Italian format Quelli dell'intervallo which also had an adaptation in the United States. It was locally produced by Cristal Líquido.[20]
In November 2015, it announced a local version of the Pijama Party game show, with filming beginning in December.[21]
In 2018, it announced the premiere of Z4, simultaneously with SBT.[22]
On 2 December 2024, The Walt Disney Company announced that Disney Channel would be shutting down in Brazil along with its sister channels (except for its ESPN channels) on 28 February 2025, due to high operational costs in the respective country, declining ratings in Brazil and the Brazilian pay TV crisis.[23][24][25]
On 1 March 2025, the channel closed along with other non-sports Disney channels in Brazil. The final program shown was the Phineas and Ferb episode "Crack That Whip"/"The Best Lazy Day Ever". Disney Channel shows remain available in Brazil on Disney+.[26][27][28]
Disney Channel Brazil produced an original show called Zapping Zone, in which hosts interacted with viewers with games and trivia. It was aired only on weekdays. They also gave news about Disney Channel, the channel's series, upcoming Walt Disney Pictures films and new Disney Channel Original Movies. Its broadcast was not live, and viewers can call to participate in games, all of them containing questions and trivia about Disney films and series. They can win T-shirts and caps just for participating; however, if they win, the awards include DVDs, soundtracks and video games of different Disney films and characters. This show was first aired on 27 July 2000, and ended on 26 October 2012.
The hosts of Zapping Zone presented Disney Channel Original Series, which were aired in the block as a primetime. New episodes of animated and live-action series were often aired on weekdays. New music videos or trailers also premiered in this block, introduced by the hosts. There were also blocks such as Contratempo, Metidas de Pata (Bloopers), and Sextas Xtremas (Xtreme Friday).
Movies
O Maravilhoso Mundo de Disney (Wonderful World of Disney) was the block after the Zapping Zone, in which different Walt Disney Pictures films were aired. This block aired on weekdays. The early-afternoon weekday film block was named Cool After School. On weekends, it was replaced with a Disney Cinemagic block. Movies were occasionally aired on Disney Junior.
This was followed by Filme Disney Channel (Disney Channel Movies), which aired Disney Channel Original Movies. It aired on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after Zapping Zone and sometimes any other weekday after Wonderful World of Disney. Some movies aired on Rede Telecine before airing on Disney Channel.
Holidays
The summer special began in December and ended in late February. It included premieres of new films and television series episodes. The channel aired themed films and episodes for Halloween and Christmas.
The channel aired an original production. Viewers voted on the website for their favorite movies, episodes, and specials. The most voted ones were aired on December 31. The show was hosted by the cast of "Zapping Zone." There was a countdown and previews of new programs coming next year. This replaced the previous block, "Popcorn."
Mouse, Câmera, Ação!
Mouse, Câmera, Ação! (Mouse, Camera, Action!) was an event aired once a month in which viewers can vote between three different movies, and the winner was aired at the end of the month. Viewers can vote via the website, on mobile services, or social media. This block was discontinued by mid-2017.
Disney Jr. nas manhãs do Disney Channel
Disney Jr. nas manhãs do Disney Channel was the Disney Junior branded block where Disney Junior series which broadcast in the mornings from 6am to 11am.
Sabatona
Sabatona (lit. 'Saturday Marathon') was a programming block that originated on Disney XD, broadcast every Saturday. A different marathon of some animation series aired 3 hours each week.
Other services
Mobile
In July 2008, Disney rebranded Disney Mobile to Disney Mobile Studios, where different services were available in the whole country. The users could download content from Disney Channel, Disney XD, Playhouse Disney Channel, Radio Disney and content from movies.
HD
On 15 December 2009, Disney Channel was launched in HD. The schedule was the same as the original. However, there were no ads and all programs are shown in widescreen.[29] On June 9, 2017, the HD feed was renamed as Disney Channel+ as its programming is different from the original channel including Disney XD and Disney Junior series.
Disney XD was a children's television channel brand owned by the Walt Disney Company broadcast in Brazil. It was previously known as Fox Kids and Jetix. The website launched on 15 May 2009, and the channel launched on 3 July 2009. It closed down on 1 April 2022.
Disney Junior was a cable television channel and was a version of the Walt Disney Company-owned Disney Junior, broadcasting in Brazil. It was marketed to preschoolers. Disney Junior was operated by The Walt Disney Company Brazil and The Walt Disney Company Latin America. It was launched on 5 September 2008, as Playhouse Disney. On 1 April 2011, it was rebranded as Disney Junior. It closed down on 1 April 2022.
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