It is available using four different feeds, each with various programming schedules and timings. It is mostly marketed to children; however, in recent years the range of viewers has expanded to include an older audience. Disney Channel is operated by Disney Media Networks Latin America and owned by The Walt Disney Company Latin America, both of which are originally from The Walt Disney Company.
History
In July 2000, while Disney Channel in the United States changed its premium television label to basic subscription TV network, the channel was launched in Latin America using the same graphical branding as Disney Channel in Europe, created by GÉDÉON, but with most of the same programming as the US version (some differences were abound). In the beginning, the network's broadcast was divided in two feeds: North feed, aimed towards Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and South feed, aimed towards South America (excluding Brazil), each with different programming schedules. Disney Channel also launched its first original production, Zapping Zone, with hosts bringing news and introducing the Disney Channel Original Series to the audience.
On April 5, 2001, a Brazilian feed was also launched, replacing Disney Weekend, a weekend-only broadcast channel; it began at around 8:00pm, coinciding the premiere of The Lion King,[2] as it now broadcasts every single day.[3][4]
In 2004, Anne Sweeney, a veteran cable executive, took control of Disney–ABC Television Group and changed the design from the channels worldwide. On that same year, Disney Channel became a basic cable channel and used the 2002 version of the U.S. counterpart. along with the new look, the channel started to air new series, mainly focused on teenagers and placing the original animated cartoons in earlier schedules. In the morning schedule, Playhouse Disney was aired with programming for children aged 2–7.
A fourth feed, known as the Central feed, was created and was broadcast on Colombia, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean, broadcasting from Colombia and using the Colombian time zone.
In July 2007, the channel rebranded its graphical package to a more "hip" look, using the "Ribbon" branding of the US Disney Channel.
On June 1, 2008, The Walt Disney Company Latin America launched Playhouse Disney (currently Disney Junior, a preschool-oriented channel focused solely on programming for young children aged 2 to 7.[5] A few months later, Playhouse Disney was also launched in Brazil, exclusively for TVA & Telefónica TV Digital subscribers.[6]
The Disney Junior-branded block in the morning was still broadcast in the same schedule until 2012. In 2008, Disney Mobile was re-branded as Disney Mobile Studios, which created content for cellphones.
On November 1, 2009, Disney Channel launched its fifth feed, the Pacific feed, aimed at Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia and employed the Chilean time zone. In that same date, the network renewed schedules, idents and promos in all of its feeds. On August 20, 2010, a new logo was introduced. On December 2, 2012, Disney Channel Latin America launched its own HD channel, simulcasting the Central feed.
On July 28, 2014, Disney Channel rebranded its graphical package with the new look unveiled in Germany on January 17, 2014, and in the US on May 23, 2014.
In 2016, Disney Channel HD turns into an independent channel with its own schedules, with promos now using three time zones (Mexico, Colombia and Argentina times). However, in 2019, all feeds launch their HD simulcasts, with the original HD channel turning into a high-definition simulcast of the Central feed again.
On May 1, 2021, the South +1 signal ceases its transmissions at 6:00 am, and is replaced by the original South signal in Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador without delay. Argentina continues to be the head of the South signal and the programming continues to be broadcast based on its time zone, but the times shown on the screen correspond to those of Argentina and Chile.[7]
On April 1, 2022, its sister channel Disney XD was shut down in the region;[8] as well as Disney Junior in Brazil,[9] all in favor for the streaming service Disney+.
Feeds
Disney Channel has three different feeds for each region, which are called North, Center and South; these are broadcast in high definition natively simultaneously with the standard resolution signal. Until July 2014, the North, Center and HD feeds received the locution of the Mexican voice actors Noé Velásquez and Pedro de la Llata (until 2014), with a neutral accent, while the South feed received the narration of the Argentine Leandro Dugatkin with a River Plate accent. After the rebrand package that occurred on July 28, 2014, all the feeds receive the locution of Noé Velázquez and Lion Ollivier. After the premiere of new graphics on October 30, 2020, all the feeds receive the locution of Emilio Treviño..
In January 2010, a new channel signal was launched based in Santiago and aimed at Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. It was divided into 2 sub-signals, with the same programming: One for Chile and Bolivia, with Chilean hours and commercials; and another for Peru and Ecuador, with local commercials and with one or two hours of delay in programming, depending on the time change in Chile in summer and winter. The deferred sub-signal for Peru and Ecuador was discontinued in March 2017 to make way for a new autonomous signal specifically for those two countries, called the Peru signal. On June 5 of the same year, the Pacific signal is suppressed to serve as a mirror channel to the South Atlantic Signal with a difference of one hour (Signal +1), based in Buenos Aires, while the Peru signal ceases to broadcast autonomously. and retransmits the same content as the South Atlantic signal (currently, South Signal) with a difference of two hours (signal +2). Both services broadcast advertising according to the countries of coverage. In April 2019, Signal +2 is eliminated and is replaced by Signal +1 in Peru and Ecuador.
In Peru, Movistar TV used to offer the Pacific signal without delay in the satellite service, while in the digital and analog cable service it had the signal deferred for two hours (Pacific Signal +2). From March to June 2017, the cable channel becomes Peru Signal. As of June of that same year, due to the changes made by Disney, Movistar began to offer the South Signal +2 by cable, while the South Signal +1 continued to be available in the satellite service. Since April 2019, after the elimination of the South Signal +2, the cable service replaced it with the Signal +1.
In Chile, Peru and Ecuador you could see the original Sur signal through DirecTV and TuVes HD, since May 2021 these countries geographically receive the Sur signal.
In Colombia, Movistar TV used to broadcast the Pacific signal until February 2017, when it was replaced by the North Atlantic Signal (currently Central Signal) due to the division of the Pacific signal in two.
In Venezuela, Movistar TV distributes the South Signal +1. From March to June 2017, it continued to distribute the Chile signal despite the division of the Pacific signal.
In Argentina, Disney Channel issued Advertising Space identifiers, as a result of the legal provisions established by Law 26,522 on Audiovisual Communication Services and Modifications. This practice was reversed in 2016.
In Mexico, Disney Channel displays age rating identifiers at the beginning of each program or movie available under media laws in the country.
From its launch in December 2012 until its closure in August 2018, Disney Channel HD was broadcast simultaneously throughout Latin America in high definition, but does not make a simultaneous connection with local signals. It had independent programming. On August 14, 2018, the channel was replaced by the HD versions of the local signals depending on the country. In itself, its programming began to broadcast the Disney Channel's Central signal.
In Argentina, Movistar TV distributed the North Signal from 2018 to 2020, when it was replaced by the channel's South signal.
In Honduras, the operator Mayavisión distributes Disney Channel's North signal and not the channel's Central Signal.
In Central America and the Dominican Republic, the Sky satellite operator broadcasts the North Signal instead of the Center signal.
In Colombia and Paraguay, Claro TV offered the South Signal +1 in its satellite service, since May 1, 2021 it offers the original South signal after the elimination of the South Signal +1.
In Panama, Tigo in its satellite version broadcasts the South +1 signal instead of the Center Signal. From May 1, 2021, it broadcasts the original South signal after the elimination of the South +1 signal.
On May 1, 2021, after 11 years, the South +1 signal is discontinued and is replaced by the original South signal without delay in Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.
Sabatón (Portuguese: Sabatona) (lit.'Saturday Marathon') is a programming block based from Disney XD, broadcast every Saturday. A different marathon of some animation series aired 3 hours each week. It began back on April 2, 2022,[10] coinciding the shut down of Disney XD in the region.[11]
Cartoon Block
The space between the ending of Disney Junior is mainly used as a cartoon block with animated Disney Channel original series and series from Disney Television Animation. The series that are aired and their schedules are varied depending on the zone.
Disney Channel TBT
Block released in May 2020 that consists of the broadcast of original old series and movies that were very successful and popular on the channel such as Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Brandy & Mr. Whiskers, American Dragon: Jake Long, The Suite Life on Deck, Jonas, That's So Raven, Kim Possible, Phineas and Ferb, Sonny with a Chance among other series. It is broadcast only on Thursdays. In June 2020, the block was removed from the channel, but in October 2020 it returned to the channel's programming, this time airing Monday through Friday. Currently the block broadcasts only the channel's classic Live Action series, the block returned at the beginning of 2021 to broadcast a marathon of classic Live Action series on Thursdays with one series per month, this block disappeared at the end of 2022, to make way for broadcasting a greater variety of series on Thursdays like the other days.
Following the elimination of the Wonderful World of Disney block, only Disney Channel Original Movies and films acquired are currently broadcast.
As of 1 October 2020, all films from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures library were removed permanently from the Disney Channels programming due the launch of Disney+ in Latin America on 17 November 2020. Not only this affect Disney Channel and its sister networks, but also the WarnerMedia networks that were still airing Disney movies at the time.[12]
Former programming blocks
Zapping Zone
Disney Channel Latin America produced an original series titled Zapping Zone, on which different hosts interact with the viewers with games and trivia. It was aired only on weekdays from July 27, 2000,[1] to October 26, 2012. They also give news about Disney Channel, the channel's series, upcoming Disney films and new Disney Channel Original Movies. It is transmission is not live, and viewers can call to participate in different games, all of them containing questions and trivia about Disney films and series. Just for participating, they can win T-shirts and caps, and if they win, the awards include DVDs, soundtracks and video games of other Disney films and characters.
The hosts of the Zapping Zone presented the series, Disney Channel Original Series that are aired in the block as a primetime. New episodes of animated and live-action series were often aired every weekday. New music videos or trailers also premiered in the block, introduced by the hosts. There were also blocks such as Stop, Bloopers, and Xtreme Friday.
Wonderful World of Disney was the block after the Zapping Zone where different Walt Disney Pictures were aired. The block aired on weekdays. The early-afternoon weekday film block is named Cool After School. On weekends it is replaced with a Disney Cinemagic block. Movies were occasionally aired on Disney Junior.
It was followed by another film block, but this one airs Disney Channel Original Movies. It aired on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after Zapping Zone and sometimes any other weekday after The Wonderful World of Disney. Some of the films premiered on Rede Telecine or HBO Family before they premiered here. The highest-rated film in this block was High School Musical 2, with 3.3 million viewers.[13]
Holidays
Due to the season differences in Latin America, the timing of the summer special varies by region. It starts in late June and ends in early September in the North and Central feeds. In the South and Pacific feeds it begins in December and ends in late February. It includes premieres of new films and television series episodes. For Halloween and Christmas the channel airs themed films and episodes.
The channel does not air the New Year events of Disney Channel of the United States. Its New year Event is an original production of the channel, named Celebratón. Viewers vote on the website for their favorite movies, episodes, and specials. The most voted ones are aired December 31. It is hosted by the cast of Zapping Zone. There is a countdown and previews of new programs coming in the next year. It replaced the previous block "Popcorn".
It is a pay television channel broadcasting in all Latin America using four feeds. It is directly marketed to preschoolers. It was launched on 1 June 2008 as Playhouse Disney Channel. Formerly it was only a programming block that aired on Disney Channel during mornings. Its programming is very similar to the US channel; however, it also airs non-original programming. On December 23, 2010 The Walt Disney Company Latin America announced that the channel would be rebranded as Disney Junior sometime in 2011,[14] and the relaunched eventually happened on April 1, 2011. It was closed in Brazil on March 31, 2022,[9] while this channel continues to operate in the Hispanic America countries.
It was a pay television channel broadcasting throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. It was launched on November 8, 1996, as Fox Kids, rebranded on August 1, 2004, as Jetix, and took on its current branding on July 3, 2009. It is broadcast using four feeds. It features male-focused series along with action, comedy and animated series.[15] It is marketed to boys from 6 to 14. It is operated by Disney Media Networks and The Walt Disney Company Latin America, which are owned by The Walt Disney Company. The channel was closed on April 1, 2022.[8][16]
Disney Channel is an American pay television channel that serves as the flagship property of Disney Branded Television, a unit of the Disney Entertainment division of The Walt Disney Company.
Jetix was a children's entertainment brand owned by The Walt Disney Company. The brand was for a slate of action/adventure-related programming blocks and television channels. Jetix programming mainly originated from the Saban Entertainment library, airing live-action and animated series with some original programming.
Disney Branded Television is an American television production company and a unit of Disney General Entertainment Content which oversees development, production and acquisition of content geared towards children, teenagers and families for Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney XD. The unit also oversees Disney-branded unscripted series, documentaries and specials for Disney+ and the Disney channels.
Disney Channel UK is a YouTube channel and formerly a British-Irish children's pay television channel owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company (UK) Ltd, an overseas subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Active from 1995 to 2020, the channel catered to the entertainment needs of young audiences in the region. This iteration is distinct from the original namesake American channel of the same name, which remains operational.
Disney Channel is a former pan-Asian pay television kids channel owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.
Nickelodeon is a Hispanic/Latin American pay television channel, counterpart of the American network of the same name. It is owned by Paramount Networks Americas and was launched on 20 December 1996. Aside from airing Nick and Nick Jr. content, it has produced original programming for the channel and has been sold to local distributors worldwide except for Cuba as cable television is banned in that country.
Disney XD was a Latin American pay television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company and one of the channels of Disney Branded Television which operated across Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean region it is based on the original American network.
Cartoon Network is a Latin American pay television channel distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery for the Latin American audience, and the Caribbean. It is the Latin American version of the original Cartoon Network television channel in the United States. It is divided into five feeds, all originating from the Turner headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, United States; four are in Spanish, and the other is in Portuguese for Brazil. The feeds have different schedules.
Disney Channel is a British-managed Polish television kids' channel, owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company and a localized version of the U.S. channel of the same name.
Disney Junior is a cable and satellite television channel in Hispanic America. It is the local variant of the American channel of the same name. It is broadcast in two feeds: North Zone and South Zone. It is marketed to preschoolers. Disney Junior is operated by Disney Media Networks Latin America; part of The Walt Disney Company Latin America.
Discovery Kids is a Latin American subscription television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and headquartered in Miami, Florida, which started as a programming block on the Latin American version of Discovery Channel. It launched on 1 November 1996, with programming aimed for older children and preschoolers. It was owned by Discovery Networks Latin America and is one of two Discovery Kids-branded channels that remains airing. The programming is entirely in either Spanish or Portuguese, depending on the region.
Disney Channel is a Spanish terrestrial television channel owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company Iberia, and it is a localized version of the American television channel of the same name.
Disney Cinemagic was a European television brand that consisted of a group of television channels owned by The Walt Disney Company Limited (UK) plus two programming blocks by Disney Channels Worldwide. It used to be broadcast on most countries in Western Europe; currently, formerly-branded Disney Cinemagic channels in France and the United Kingdom and Ireland are run by third parties which primarily airs films by the Walt Disney Studios.
Disney Channel is a French television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company. It is a localized version of the American cable network of the same name.
Disney XD is a Dutch children's television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company. It broadcasts 14 hours a day, time-sharing with Dutch TV station Veronica, and is primarily aimed at children roughly between the ages of 7 and 15. The channel used to have a pay television 24-hour feed that was distributed throughout the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders); however, it was closed down on 31 July 2018. Viewers in Belgium (Wallonia) and Luxembourg received Disney XD France, until that feed was later shut down in 2020.
The Walt Disney Company Latin America is one of The Walt Disney Company's international divisions. It is responsible for the Disney brand and its businesses throughout the region. It has offices in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Miami.
Disney XD 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. channel of the same name operated under license from Disney Branded Television, a division of The Walt Disney Company which broadcasts live-action and animated programming aimed at kids between the ages of 6 and 15.
Disney XD is an American pay television channel owned by the Disney Branded Television and Disney Entertainment units of The Walt Disney Company. The channel is aimed primarily at older children ages six to eleven years old.
FX is a brand name used by a number of different television channels throughout the world owned by FX Networks, a subsidiary of Disney Entertainment. FX was originally established as a standard or premium cable television channel in the United States but has expanded worldwide.
Fox Sports was a group of channels available in Latin America and operated by The Walt Disney Company Latin America, a unit of the Disney International Operations. The network was focused on sports-related programming including live and pre-recorded event broadcasts, sports talk shows and original programming, available throughout Latin America.
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