Disney Jr. (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Disney Jr. Europe, Middle East and Africa[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast area
List
Headquarters3 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, West London W6 9PE, United Kingdom
Programming
Language(s)
Picture formatSDTV 576i (16:9)
HDTV 1080i
Ownership
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company Limited (Disney Entertainment)
Sister channelsDisney Channel

Star World

Star Movies
History
Launched
  • 1 June 2011; 13 years ago (2011-06-01)
  • 1 March 2012; 12 years ago (2012-03-01) (Romania)
  • 1 July 2015; 9 years ago (2015-07-01) (Hungary)
  • 5 June 2023; 19 months ago (2023-06-05) (Nordics distribution)
ClosedDecember 2017; 7 years ago (2017-12) (Hungary)
1 April 2024; 9 months ago (2024-04-01) (Distribution in Nordics, replaced by the block on Disney Channel Scandinavia)
Former names
Links
Website
Availability
Terrestrial
GOtvChannel 60
DStvChannel 309

Disney Jr. (formerly known as Disney Junior), officially Disney Jr. Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)[5] is a British-managed preschool pay television channel targeting younger viewers aged 2–7, owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company Limited, the international division of The Walt Disney Company serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.[6] Launched on 1 June 2011 as a replacement for Playhouse Disney outside Africa and headquartered at Hammersmith, West London,[7] it broadcasts in 7 languages and in 4 languages only with subtitles.[8]

It is available through Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Romania, Turkey with Middle East countries, most of Africa, the Baltics, and the Balkan countries[9] (including Albania).

There is also a separate Western European version, regrouping the French, Dutch-speaking Belgian, Spanish and Portuguese feeds.

Disney Jr. is partially available in the Czech Republic[10] through some satellite services, but does not air through its native language (Czech),[citation needed] unlike the former block on Disney Channel. It was previously available in Hungary between 2015 and 2017 in a Hungarian language track.[11] Since May 2016, it added an Arabic language counterpart for the MENA transmission via OSN.[12] Since April 2022, Disney Jr. is currently the only Disney-branded TV channel in Turkey since Disney Channel closed.

Disney Jr. programs are currently available on Disney+ which launched in South Africa on 18 May 2022, the Middle East and North Africa on 8 June; and Greece, Turkey, and Central and Eastern Europe on 14 June,[13] concluding Europe's release.

Availability

Current

France

Main article: Disney Jr. (French TV channel)

Originally launched as Playhouse Disney on 2 November 2002, along with Disney Channel +1 and Toon Disney; later rebranded as Disney Junior on 28 May 2011 in both SD and HD.[14][15][16][17] Available through France and its overseas territories, Francophone Africa, Haiti, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Switzerland.

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

A pan-regional feed available through Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Romania, Turkey with the Middle East (except Iran, Israel, and Syria), most of Africa, the Baltics, and the Balkan countries.[18] Launched on 1 June 2011,[19] while 1 March 2012 in Romania.[20] The Polish and Romanian transmissions airs local advertisements. The Hungarian version was initially available between 1 July 2015[21] to December 2017 with a Hungarian language audio track. Since 2016, it began broadcasting in Arabic.[22] In the Czech Republic,[23] it only aired with Czech subtitles.[citation needed] In Turkey, it is the only Disney-branded TV channel since April 2022.

Spain

Disney Junior launched on 11 June 2011,[24] replacing Playhouse Disney (which was launched on 16 November 2001[25]) with a Spanish language track. It is also available in Andorra.[26] It's currently the only Disney-branded TV channel in Spain since the closure of Disney Channel in 2025.

Israel

Main article: Disney Jr. (Israeli TV channel)

Launched on 18 July 2011 on Yes satellite[27] and on 27 November 2013 on HOT Cable, under The Walt Disney Company Israel. The programming is not synced with the other EMEA feeds.

Belgium

Main article: Disney Jr. (Dutch TV channel)

Launched on 10 September 2011,[28] and available in Dutch.

Portugal

Main article: Disney Jr. (Portuguese TV channel)

The Portuguese version of the channel launched on 1 November 2012, replacing Disney Cinemagic.[29][30] An HD version of the channel debuted in March 2021.[31] It is also available in Angola and Mozambique via Zap and DStv packages.

Defunct

Netherlands

See also: Disney Junior (Dutch TV channel)

Initially available between 10 September 2011[28] to 1 April 2019. Selected programs moved to Disney Channel in 2020.

Italy

Main article: Disney Junior (Italian TV channel)

Launched on 14 May 2011 replacing Playhouse Disney and closed on 1 May 2020 along with Disney Channel, with select programming moving to Disney+.

UK and Ireland

See also: Disney Junior (British and Irish TV channel)

It was the first Disney Junior to launch in the EMEA; originally launched as Playhouse Disney on 29 September 2000.[32] Later rebranded as Disney Junior on 7 May 2011. It ceased broadcast on 1 October 2020 along with sister channels Disney Channel and Disney XD with programs moving to Disney+.

Germany

Main article: Disney Junior (German TV channel)

It was available across Germany, Austria and Switzerland between 14 July 2011[33] to 30 September 2021.[34] Programs continue to air morningly on Disney Channel.

Scandinavia

Main article: Disney Junior (Scandinavian TV channel)

Launched on 10 September 2011, available through Nordic countries. Broadcasting in Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Russian and Swedish languages; airing local advertisements. The channel closed on Allente on 28 February 2023,[35] with the availability on satellite remains unknown.

The channel ceased transmission in Denmark on 1 March 2024.

On 1 April 2024, in other Scandinavian countries, its selected programs moved to Disney Channel on the same day with its programs airing during mornings and at weekends.[36][37][38]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Disney Junior sets U.K. launch". Variety. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  2. ^ Dziadul, Chris (19 July 2022). "Disney kids channels go on Hrvatski Telekom". Broadband TV News. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Kanali". Total TV (Montenegro) (in Montenegrin). 10 March 2020. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Канали". Total TV (Macedonia) (in Macedonian). 10 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Disney Junior (CEMA Language Service)". Ofcom. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Disney Channels". Disney General Entertainment Content. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Disney Junior launches in SA". news24. 1 June 2011. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Disney Junior Romania & Bulgaria". Lyngsat. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Disney Junior • Channel • TvProfil". TVProfil. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Televizní kanál Disney Junior". Telly (in Czech). 5 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  11. ^ Dziadul, Chris (6 July 2015). "Hungarian launch for Disney Junior". Broadband TV News. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  12. ^ Staff Reporter (31 May 2016). "Disney Junior launches in Arabic on OSN". BroadcastPro ME. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  13. ^ Szalai, Georg (29 March 2022). "Disney+ Sets South Africa, Middle East Launch Dates, Prices". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  14. ^ "TV broadcast licensing monthly updates". Ofcom. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  15. ^ "Playhouse Disney devient Disney Junior le 28 mai prochain". Disney Corporate France. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  16. ^ Sitbon, Prescilia (5 May 2011). "Playhouse Disney devient Disney Junior". média+ (in French). Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  17. ^ "Playhouse Disney devient Disney Junior". Toutelatele (in French). 4 May 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  18. ^ "Disney Junior • Channel • TvProfil". TVProfil. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  19. ^ "Disney Junior launches in SA". news24. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Disney to expand in Romania". Broadband TV News. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  21. ^ "Hungarian launch for Disney Junior". Broadband TV News. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  22. ^ "Disney Junior launches in Arabic on OSN". BroadcastPro ME. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Televizní kanál Disney Junior". Telly (in Czech). 5 September 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  24. ^ Pérez, Antonio (26 April 2011). "Disney Junior sustituirá a Playhouse Disney a partir del 11 de junio". mundoplus.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  25. ^ "Novedades 2001". mundoplus.tv (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Consulta el llistat dels canals disponibles". Andorra Telecom. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  27. ^ בר-און, ערן (17 July 2011). "ערוץ נולד: "דיסני" השיקה את "דיסני ג'וניור"". ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  28. ^ a b "Disney Junior to launch in Holland, Belgium". Broadband TV News. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  29. ^ Santos, Joaquim Pedro (6 October 2012). "Disney Junior chega a Portugal em novembro". Espalha-Factos (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  30. ^ Ribeiro, Rui (1 November 2012). "Disney Junior – Novo Canal dia 1 de Novembro na ZON". MHD (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  31. ^ Oliveira, Diogo (25 March 2021). "Canal Panda HD e Disney Junior HD estreiam em Portugal". Unimado (in Portuguese). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  32. ^ "Disney launches new channels". www.campaignlive.co.uk. 13 September 2000. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Fernsehsender Playhouse Disney wird zu Disney Junior (für Kinder)". kabel-internet-telefon.de. 18 June 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Disney to close Fox and Disney Junior in Germany". Broadband TV News. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Disneykanaler utgår". Allente (in Swedish). 16 January 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  36. ^ "Norlys varsler prisstigning og kanalændringer på tv-pakker fra 1. marts - den lille tv-pakke stiger med 45,- / måned". digitalt.tv (in Danish). 19 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Disney combines Junior with Disney Channel in the Nordics". Broadband TV News. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Ny Disney-kanal lanseras i Sverige i april". MovieZine. Retrieved 11 February 2024.