Family Jr.

Last updated

Family Jr.
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNationwide
Network Family
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format 1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
Owner Astral Media (2007-2013)
Bell Media (2013-2014) [a]
WildBrain (2013-Present)
Sister channels Family Channel
Télémagino
WildBrainTV
History
LaunchedNovember 30, 2007 (2007-11-30), 17 years ago
Former namesPlayhouse Disney Channel (2007–2011)
Disney Junior (2011–2015)
Links
Website familyjr.ca
Availability
Streaming media
RiverTV Over-the-top TV
Amazon Prime Channels Over-the-top TV

Family Jr. is a Canadian specialty channel owned by WildBrain. A sister channel to Family Channel, it broadcasts children's programming aimed at viewers aged 2 to 7. Legally, the channel operates as a multiplex service of Family Channel, stemming from its former licensing status as a premium television service; therefore, it is distributed at no additional charge to Family Channel subscribers. Along with its French-language counterpart, Télémagino, it was available in over 4 million Canadian households as of 2013. [1]

Contents

The channel launched on November 30, 2007, as a Canadian version of Playhouse Disney , under license from Disney Channels Worldwide (which had a library agreement with Family Channel at the time). It then rebranded under Disney's new preschool television brand Disney Junior in 2011. Following Bell Media's acquisition of Astral in 2013, the channel, along with its sister networks were divested to DHX Media in 2014. In 2015, Family Channel lost the rights to Disney Channel programming to Corus Entertainment: this resulted in the launch of a new Corus-run Disney Junior channel, and DHX's existing Disney Junior channel being rebranded as Family Jr.–a brand extension of Family Channel–in September 2015.

History

As Playhouse Disney and Disney Junior

The channel originally launched as Playhouse Disney on November 30, 2007; as Family was originally licensed as a premium television service, it is allowed to operate multiplex channels consistent with the network's licence (which dictated that it provide a service with programming aimed at youth aged 17 and younger), thus the channel did not require separate CRTC approval, and would be offered at no additional charge to television providers who already carry Family Channel.

A French-language version, originally known as Playhouse Disney Télé, was launched on July 5, 2010. Unlike the English version, it operates under a separate Category B license. [2]

On May 6, 2011, the networks were rebranded under Disney's new preschool television brand, Disney Junior. [3]

On March 4, 2013, Bell Media announced that it would divest the Family Channel networks as part of its then-proposed acquisition of Astral Media. [4] On November 28, 2013, DHX Media (now WildBrain) announced it would acquire the Family Channel networks $170 million, pending CRTC approval. [5] [6] On July 24, 2014, the CRTC approved DHX's purchase of the networks, [7] [8] and the deal was closed on July 31, 2014. [9] [10]

As Family Jr.

On April 16, 2015, it was announced that Corus Entertainment had acquired rights to Disney's children's television library and brands, succeeding a previous license agreement with DHX. Corus stated that following the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel, it would re-launch Disney's other linear children's television brands in Canada in the future. In anticipation for this transition, DHX concurrently announced that its Disney-branded networks would be re-branded as brand extensions of Family Channel; Disney Junior was re-branded as Family Jr. on September 18, 2015. A Corus-owned incarnation of Disney Junior later launched on December 1, 2015. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Programming

Current programming

Canadian productions

Acquired programming


Former programming

Playhouse Disney, Disney Junior, and Disney Channel programming

Programs in bold indicate that the programs moved to new Disney Junior (Canadian TV channel)

Family Jr. HD

On May 1, 2013, a high definition simulcast of Family Jr.'s (as Disney Junior) standard definition feed was launched. It is available on Bell Aliant, Eastlink, Rogers Cable, SaskTel, Shaw Direct, and Telus Optik TV.

Family Jr. On Demand

Family Jr. On Demand is a video on demand service featuring programming from Family Jr, available to subscribers of Family. Family Jr. (as Disney Junior) launched its own On Demand channel on May 6, 2011. [60]

Family Jr. Go

Family Jr. Go is a service available on the App Store and Google Play Store. It was initially only available to television customers of Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct, but expanded to other providers as years went by. It shows new and old episodes of Family Jr. programming and is part of the Family app.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ As with its sister channels, Bell's ownership was short-lived.

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References

  1. ↑ "Family Channel | Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD Available on Free Preview in March". Newswire.ca. March 1, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Broadcasting Decision 2006–98". CRTC. March 27, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  3. ↑ Disney/ABC Television Group Announces Disney Junior, a New 24-Hour Channel for Preschoolers and Their Families, The Futon Critic, May 26, 2010
  4. ↑ Biblic, Mirko (June 27, 2013). "Re: Voting Trust Agreement between BCE Inc. and Pierre Boivin, the trustee Application No. 2013-0243-9–Approved". CRTC. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  5. ↑ "DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  6. ↑ "DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  7. ↑ "DHX Media receives CRTC approval on $170M acquisition of Family Channel and three other children's channels". DHX Media. July 24, 2014. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  8. ↑ Vessing, Etan (July 24, 2014). "DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  9. ↑ "DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes". Canada Newswire. July 31, 2014. Archived from the original on August 3, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-388". CRTC. July 24, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Changes to Kids Channels". VMedia. August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Changes to our youth programming". Videotron. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  13. ↑ "DHX TELEVISION'S REBRANDED FAMILY JR. AND TÉLÉMAGINO NETWORKS REVEALED TODAY" (Press release). DHX Media. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  14. ↑ "DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done". Cartt.ca. April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Beep & Mort". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Big Block Sing Song". Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood–FamilyJr.ca". Family Jr. DHX Media. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Jonny Jetboy". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Astral's Disney Junior to premiere Justin Time". Kidscreen.com. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Justin Time–Distribution & Sales–Guru Studio". Gurustudio.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Kate & Mim-Mim". Familyjr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  23. ↑ "DHX, Alpha Group get revved up for new series". Kidscreen. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Space Ranger Roger". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Arthur". Family Jr. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks". Family Jr. DHX Media. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Blippi". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Bubble Guppies". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Care Bears: Unlock the Magic". Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Curious George". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Dragons: Rescue Riders". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Watch". www.familyjr.ca. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Go Jetters".
  35. ↑ "TV Schedule for Family Jr".
  36. ↑ "Lucas the Spider". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  37. ↑ "FamilyJr.ca". FamilyJr.ca.
  38. ↑ "Norman Picklestripes". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Teletubbies". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Where's Waldo". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Bob the Builder". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Dinotrux FamilyJr.ca". Family Jr. DHX Media. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  43. ↑ Family Jr. [@FamilyJr_TV] (July 2, 2017). "Don't miss the premiere of Elias: Rescue Team Adventures tomorrow at 4:50pm ET!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. ↑ "Elias: Rescue Team Adventures". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Franny's Feet". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Playhouse Disney Canada". www.playhousedisney.ca. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Little People". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Messy Goes to OKIDO". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Noddy, Toyland Detective". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  50. ↑ "FAMILY JR. SETS A PLAYDATE FOR OCTOBER 3–DHX Media". Dhxmedia.com. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Rainbow Ruby". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Rainbow Ruby set for Canadian premiere". Kidscreen.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  53. ↑ Sarah & Duck [@Sarah_and_Duck] (July 7, 2014). "We're really excited to be on in Canada on @DisneyJuniorCA! Let us know if you saw us for the first time today!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  54. ↑ "Sarah and Duck". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  55. ↑ "The Save-Ums!". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  56. ↑ "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures Reaches Disney Jr Canada • ToonBarn". ToonBarn. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  57. ↑ "Super WHY!". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  58. ↑ "Thomas & Friends". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  59. ↑ "Schedule | Disney Junior Channel". Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  60. ↑ "Family Jr. On Demand". FamilyJr.Ca. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
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