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Disney Channel (United Kingdom and Ireland)

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(Redirected from Disney Channel UK) Children's television channel in the UK and Ireland (1995–2020)

Television channel
Disney Channel
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast areaBritish Isles
HeadquartersChiswick, England
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format
Timeshift serviceDisney Channel +1
Ownership
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company (UK) Ltd.
Disney Channels Worldwide (Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International)
Sister channelsDisney Junior
Disney XD
History
LaunchedOctober 1, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-10-01)
ClosedOctober 1, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-10-01)
Replaced byDisney+ (most of its content)
Former namesThe Disney Channel (1995–1997)

Disney Channel was a British-Irish children's pay television channel owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Active from 1 October 1995 to 1 October 2020, the channel served young audiences in the region. This iteration is distinct from the original namesake American channel of the same name, which remains operational.

During its operation, Disney Channel was supported by a one-hour timeshift channel, Disney Channel +1, available on Sky and Virgin Media. At the time of its closure, it had two sister channels: Disney Junior and Disney XD, which also originated from the United States.

History

Background (1989–1995)

In 1989, Disney Channel UK was set to become the first international Disney Channel with support from Sky Television, a former British satellite TV company. The channel was to feature promotional material for Sky Television and the Astra satellite. However, a proposed joint venture between Disney and Sky Television fell through. Disputes over decision-making responsibilities led to Sky suing Disney for £1.5 billion in damages. Disney argued that it sought more influence over decisions and was unwilling to fund its share of the venture.

The lawsuit was eventually settled, and Disney sold its stake in the joint venture to Sky. As a result, Sky gained access to the Walt Disney Pictures movie library for five years.

In December 1994, following the expiration of its agreement with Sky, The Walt Disney Company announced plans to independently launch The Disney Channel in the United Kingdom. The channel, which was set to debut in the autumn of 1995, would be available as a subscription service through a deal with British Sky Broadcasting. Subscribers to Sky’s movie package could receive The Disney Channel for free, while it was also offered as a standalone package.

In January 1994, Disney announced a joint venture with CLT Multi Media to launch Super RTL in Germany, which successfully launched in April 1995.

On 25 August 1995, it was confirmed that The Disney Channel would launch in the UK and Ireland on 1 October 1995. The channel, broadcasting daily from 6 am to 10 pm on channel 26 and sharing with Sky Movies Gold on the Astra 1B satellite service, was subscription-only and free of advertising. Its programming was designed for all family members and included dramas, comedies, cartoons, documentaries, and films from Disney's archives, including the UK TV premiere of The Jungle Book. Mellors Reay & Partners handled the channel’s launch advertising, with media services managed by BBJ Media Services Ltd.

Launch and development (1995–2020)

The Disney Channel's studios and broadcast facilities were initially located at Teddington Studios. In late 1996, they were relocated to Stephen Street, where Thames Television's original headquarters had been. Pearson plc provided playout and transmission services for the channel.

Within two weeks of its launch, Disney Channel UK began discussions with the Independent Television Commission (ITC) regarding the promotion of Disney products and services on the channel. Although the channel did not carry traditional advertising, the ITC proposed clear breaks for self-promotion, marked by the on-screen Disney Consumer Arcade motif. In July 1997, the ITC criticized Disney Channel’s marketing practices, noting that it was offered for free to cable customers already subscribing to premium film channels. Disney Channel agreed to make adjustments, including increasing program continuity and launching Disney Channel UK Live, a new live block.

On 2 March 1998, Disney Channel UK became available as a separate premium channel on Sky and cable operators. To promote this, Disney Channel offered three days of free programming from 21 to 23 March 1998. Paul Robinson was appointed managing director on 6 December 1998, overseeing day-to-day operations.

On 15 February 1999, Disney Channel introduced a nightly movie slot at 7 pm, which saw a 300% increase in viewership after a promotional campaign featuring a lounge set with Disney-themed decor. The channel’s schedule was restructured on 1 September 1999, introducing a Playhouse Disney-branded preschool block and various programming changes.

In 2000, Disney Channel launched three new sister channels: Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, and Disney Channel +1. These additions aimed to cater to different age groups and programming needs. The Playhouse Disney programming block continued to air until July 2004. In May 2001, Disney Channel introduced Studio Disney UK, a live block featuring interstitials between programs. On 30 June 2001, the channel ceased broadcasting on Sky’s analog service, transitioning to digital.

By 2002, Disney Channel UK moved to new facilities at Chiswick Park. On 17 August 2004, Disney Channel Play, a games service, was launched on Sky Gamestar. In September 2004, the channel expanded to a 24-hour service.

On 16 March 2006, Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney shifted from premium channels to basic-level subscription packages. Disney Cinemagic replaced Toon Disney, while Disney Channel +1 returned in June 2006. In late 2007, Disney Channel joined Sky’s Picnic service, which later became Now TV in 2012.

In January 2009, Disney Channel UK launched an in-house sales team for commercial deals while remaining advertising-free. The channel began broadcasting in widescreen format in May 2010 and adopted a new logo in September 2011, with an HD version launching on Sky and UPC Ireland.

By 2012, Encompass took over as the playout provider for Disney Channel. On 1 July 2013, Disney Channel and Disney Junior began carrying advertising, and Disney Cinemagic was closed, with Disney’s movie content moving to Sky Movies Disney. Disney Channel left Now TV in 2016, and Nat Geo Wild replaced it on the original slot. Disney+ replaced internet service DisneyLife in March 2020, no longer including linear TV channels.

Closure (2020)

On 3 June 2020, Disney announced that David Levine, vice president of kids programming for Disney's British, European, and African channels, and general manager for Disney Channel UK, would leave the company on 30 June 2020. On 25 June 2020, Disney Channel UK was set to close following the launch of Disney+. The channel, along with Disney Junior and Disney XD, ceased broadcasting at midnight BST on 1 October 2020, exactly 25 years after its launch. The YouTube channel for Disney Channel UK remained active.

The final program aired was the 2019 film Descendants 3. The channels were removed from Virgin Media on 29 September, and CBBC and CBeebies took over their Sky EPG slots on 1 October. In November 2020, Disney returned its broadcast licenses for Disney Channel UK, Disney XD UK, and Disney Junior UK to Ofcom, with new European licenses being handled by Spain's CMNC due to Brexit. Sky Cinema Disney also closed on 30 December 2020, making Disney+ the primary source for Disney movies in the UK and Ireland. Following Fox UK's closure in 2021, National Geographic and BabyTV were the only Disney-owned pay TV channels in the UK.

After Disney Channel UK’s shutdown, Disney vacated its Chiswick Park building, returning it to the landlord in June 2021. Disney continues to operate its EMEA headquarters in Hammersmith, London.

Programming

Main article: List of programmes broadcast by Disney Channel (UK and Ireland)

The channel’s programming primarily consisted of syndicated shows from its American counterpart, but it also featured UK and Irish series such as The Lodge, Stick With Me, Kid, and Sadie Sparks. Disney Channel UK also aired a variety of local programming, including Life Bites (a localized version of Life Bites – Pillole di vita), As the Bell Rings (a localized version of Quelli dell'intervallo), Hannah-Oke (a karaoke series featuring songs from Hannah Montana), Get the Look, First Class Chefs, Access All Areas, and Royal Ranch.

In March 2014, Disney Channel announced Evermoor, a multi-part movie filmed in the UK and later developed into The Evermoor Chronicles TV series. It became the first long-form British series to air on the American Disney Channel. The series was produced by Lime Pictures and Disney's EMEA television studio.

On 18 March 2019, Disney Channel UK premiered 101 Dalmatian Street, a locally produced animated series inspired by Disney's 101 Dalmatians franchise and Dodie Smith's original novel. The series was developed by Disney’s London animation team, Passion Animation Studios, and Atomic Cartoons.

See also

References

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