Disney Jr. (American TV channel)

Disney Jr.
Logo used since June 1, 2024[a]
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersDisney Studios, Burbank, California
Programming
Language(s)English
Spanish (via SAP audio track)
Picture formatHDTV 720p
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SD feed)
Ownership
OwnerDisney Entertainment (The Walt Disney Company)
ParentDisney Branded Television
Sister channels
History
LaunchedFebruary 14, 2011 (2011-02-14) (as a block on Disney Channel)
March 23, 2012 (2012-03-23) (as a channel)
ReplacedSoapnet (as a network)
Playhouse Disney (as a Disney Channel morning block)
Former namesDisney Junior (2011–2024)
Links
WebcastWatch live
Websitewww.disneynow.com

Disney Jr. (formerly known as Disney Junior and Playhouse Disney) is an American pay television network owned by the Disney Branded Television sub-division of the Disney Entertainment business segment of the Walt Disney Company. Aimed mainly at children two to seven years of age, its programming consists of original first-run television series, films, and select other third-party programming.

As of November 2023, Disney Jr. is available to approximately 45,000,000 pay television households in the United States, down from its 2015 peak of 74,000,000 households. In recent years, Disney Jr.'s carriage has declined with the growth of streaming alternatives including its parent company's Disney+, and has generally been depreciated by Disney in current retransmission consent negotiations with cable and streaming providers. Notably, the channel has recently been removed in negotiations with Charter Spectrum in 2023 and with Verizon Fios in 2025.

Programming

Programming on the Disney Jr. channel includes original series and series which used to be shown on the Playhouse Disney block It also showed re-runs of former original shows like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Rolie Polie Olie. There included some that also air on the companion Disney Channel morning block. The network also airs short-form series as well as reruns of some older animated series. These progams had been seen on sister network ABC, CBS (made before 1996) and programs from Disney Channel and Toon Disney. These are aired by the channel by popular demand.

Blocks

Disney Junior Night Light

Disney Junior Night Light is the former name of Disney Junior channel's overnight programming block, running daily from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. The block, which debuted on September 4, 2012, and is sponsored by Babble (under a similar underwriter sponsorship agreement as that regularly used by Disney Channel and Disney Junior, which both operate as commercial-free services), consists of short-form programs intended for co-viewing among parents and their children. Features seen as part of the block include Picture This (which presents sketches of Disney characters being drawn), Sesh Tales (a segment featuring costumed finger puppets with twists on traditional fairy tales) and That's Fresh (a segment featuring cooking tips aimed at parents, presented by celebrity chef Helen Cavallo). Additional series under development at the block's launch included a photography series, a series that follows parents through the day their new baby comes home after being born, and a show about stay-at-home dads.[1] Since 2017, Disney Junior's overnight programming has run unbranded and without the Night Light continuity. As of November 1, 2021, Disney Junior Night Light is still used for interstitials and sign-off due to the handover of Disney Mom. (which was used in November 2021)

International

Current channels

Market Type Formerly Launch date Availability Operator
United States Channel Soapneta March 23, 2012 (except for DirecTVa) Nationwide Disney Branded Television
Block (Mickey Mornings) Playhouse February 14, 2011[2] (as Disney Junior) June 1, 2020[3][4] (as Mickey Mornings)
Israel Channel Playhouse September 9, 2009 (Playhouse (unused))
July 18, 2011[5]
Nationwide The Walt Disney Company (Israel) Ltd.

Notes

  1. This logo was first used on promo for Ariel on May 8, 2024, then on an advertisement for Disney Jr. Live on Tour: Let's Play! on May 13, and officially debuted on June 1

References

  1. Dickson, Jeremy (August 29, 2012). "First look: DJ Tales to bow on Disney Junior Night Light". Kidscreen. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  2. "Disney Junior to launch on Valentine's Day". Variety. January 11, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  3. It's Coming! | Mickey Mornings | Disney Junior, May 22, 2020, retrieved December 17, 2022
  4. Carly (June 1, 2020). "How Mickey Mouse is Making Mornings More Magical for Families". D23. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  5. ערן בר-און (July 17, 2011). "ערוץ נולד: "דיסני" השיקה את "דיסני ג'וניור"". Ynet (in Hebrew). ynet.co.il.

Other websites

Media related to Disney Jr. (American TV channel) at Wikimedia Commons