Disney Junior (Australia and New Zealand)

Last updated

Disney Junior
Launched5 December 2005;14 years ago (2005-12-05) [1]
(as Playhouse Disney)
29 May 2011;8 years ago (2011-05-29)
(as Disney Junior)
Closed30 November 2019;21 days ago (30 November 2019) (in New Zealand)
Owned by The Walt Disney Company (Australia)
Disney Channels Worldwide
(Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International)
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
SloganWhere the magic begins
Country Australia
LanguageEnglish
Broadcast area Australia
Pacific Islands
Formerly calledPlayhouse Disney (2005–11)
Sister channel(s) Disney Channel
Disney XD (2014–19)
Website disneyjunior.disney.com.au
Availability
Satellite
Foxtel Channel 709
Cable
Optus TV Channel 709
Foxtel Channel 709
TransTV Digital Channel 202
IPTV
Foxtel Now Channel 709
Fetch TV Channel 145
Streaming media
Foxtel Go Channel 709

Disney Junior (originally titled Playhouse Disney) is a pay television network that is broadcast in Australia and New Zealand. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company in Australia and is 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 29 May 2011. [2]

Contents

The network'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.

It is currently available on Foxtel and Fetch TV in Australia. It was available on Sky in New Zealand until 30 November 2019.

Programming

Disney Junior's programming schedule mainly consists 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] [3]

Disney Junior's schedule also includes internationally produced series acquired by Disney Channel Worldwide, including PJ Masks , Claude, Gigantosaurus , 101 Dalmatian Street and Go Away, Unicorn! . [4] [5] [6] [7]

The network airs event screenings of Disney's theatrical releases, including Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas . [8]

Disney Junior Australia has also commissioned and produced original local series, including The Book of Once Upon a Time, which features Australian voices reading classic and contemporary Disney stories. [9] The network also debuted Alphabet Street in 2019. [10]

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. However, Sky confirmed that both channels would close in New Zealand from 30 November 2019.

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References

  1. Alarcon, Camille (29 May 2011). "Disney makes new friends". News. B & T Weekly. 54 (2546): 23. ISSN   1325-9210 . Retrieved 15 May 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. 1 2 Knox, David (25 May 2011). "Playhouse Disney rebrands as Disney Junior from Sunday". TV Tonight . Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  3. Knox, David (28 November 2010). "Week 48: the winner announced". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  4. Knox, David (27 March 2016). "Airdate: PJ Masks". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  5. Milligan, Mercedes (5 February 2018). "Sixteen South's Claude Heads to Disney Junior with Pedigree Cast". Animation Magazine . Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  6. Whyte, Alexandra (14 June 2017). "Disney Channels EMEA makes trio of commissions". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  7. Whyte, Alexandra (6 October 2017). "Sonar dives into Go Away, Unicorn! production". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  8. Knox, David (1 December 2009). "Summer treats for kids". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  9. Kate (24 August 2015). "Disney Junior The Book of Once Upon A Time". Laughing Kids Learn. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  10. "Paper Moose animated kids series Alphabet Street launches on Disney Junior". Film Ink. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.