Original run (2011-2015)
From May 6, 2011 to September 18, 2015, DHX Media (now WildBrain) operated an English-language Disney Junior-branded channel in Canada as a multiplex of Family Channel (originally launched as Playhouse Disney on November 30, 2007). The channel had a French-language counterpart (launched on July 5, 2010 as Playhouse Disney Télé), operating under a separate license.
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]
Relaunch and second closure (2015-2015)
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 English-language 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. [3]
On September 1, 2017, the channel obtained a discretionary service licence; [9] it had been operating as an exempt channel before then. [10]
There was no French-language counterpart launched, however, La Chaîne Disney offered the morning programming block Disney Junior sur La Chaîne Disney to carry network programming in the French language, until the network’s closure (along with Disney Jr. itself) on September 1, 2025.
On April 21, 2018, the network aired its first film, The Lion King (1994), and continued to air films (including Cars , Cars 2 , and Finding Nemo ) until early 2021.
In December 2022, Disney Junior was added to StackTV, along with Disney Channel and Disney XD.
On July 10, 2025, Corus announced that they would close Disney Jr. alongside a selection of Disney-licensed channels (Disney XD, La Chaîne Disney and ABC Spark), as well as the unrelated Nickelodeon, at midnight on September 1 due to existing financial pressure at the company. [11] Despite the closure, Corus confirmed that it would continue to air the channel's content on Disney Channel. The last show to air on the channel ahead of its midnight closure was the Bluey minisode "Tattoo Shop", after which the channel ceased operations with a slate stating "This channel is no longer available". [12]
