History
Early programming efforts
When Disney Channel changed its programming focus in 1997, a preschool block titled "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. It was rebranded as 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 Playhouse" during continuity.
Launch as a dedicated channel (2000)
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 the 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 removed altogether in July 2004.
Transition to standard network (2006-2011)
On 28 February 2006, Disney Media Networks and BSkyB announced that Playhouse Disney, along with its sister channel Disney Channel would transition from premium add-ons to basic television packages such as Sky's "Kids Mix" beginning on 16 March, and that a new sister channel, Disney Cinemagic, would take over Disney's premium offerings, replacing Toon Disney. [4] The transition of Playhouse Disney to a basic network led to a significant broadcast share increase of 83% by July. [5] The Playhouse presentation format hosted by Big Dave and Little Alex remained until late August 2006. [6]
In June 2006, a Playhouse Disney block was added to the morning schedule of ABC1. [7] It was removed after Disney shut down 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 (2011)
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 temporarily rebranded as a pop-up channel titled Mickey and Pals, which aired various programming from Disney Junior.
Closure (2020)
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.
Relaunch (2025)
Disney Jr. UK started testing on the Astra 2F satellite on 20 October 2025. [12] A relaunch of the channel occurred on 13 November 2025, under the 2024 rebrand. [13] This was apart of Disney's strategy for linear and streaming TV. [14] As of it's launch, it is available exclusively on Sky UK . It is thus not on Sky's own Now streaming service for now. [15] The channel is available on channel 204 on Sky Stream and 625 on Sky Q. [16]
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