Disney Channel (United Kingdom and Ireland): Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 07:28, 19 July 2012 editGDEdits (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users1,137 edits Undid revision 503045645 by Mrschimpf (talk) WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! Look, go away from this page! Your ruining it! iMDB and Logopedia are always used as sources!← Previous edit		Latest revision as of 15:26, 21 December 2024 edit undoRMCD bot (talk \| contribs)Bots, Template editors996,657 edits Removing notice of move discussionTag: Manual revert
(1,000 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{Short description\|Children's television channel in the UK and Ireland (1995–2020)}}
	{{Advert\|date=July 2012}}
			{{Use British English\|date=December 2019}}
	{{Hatnote\|For the Disney Channel in other countries, see ]. For the original Disney Channel, see ].}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2019}}
			{{Infobox television channel
			\| name = Disney Channel
			\| logo = Disney Channel logo (2014).svg
			\| logo_size = 240px
			\| logo_caption =
			\| launch_date = {{start date and age\|1995\|10\|1}}
			\| closed_date = {{end date and age\|2020\|10\|01}}<ref name=TheVerge>{{Cite web\|last=Alexander\|first=Julia\|date=2020-06-25\|title=Disney is eliminating Disney Channel in the UK, moving titles to Disney Plus\|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/25/21303043/disney-channel-united-kingdom-xd-streaming-plus-new-zealand-sky-comcast\|access-date=2020-06-28\|website=The Verge\|language=en}}</ref>
			\| replaced_by = ] (most of its content)
			\| language = English
			\| picture_format = {{plainlist\|
			* ] ]
			* ] ]
			}}
			\| former_names = The Disney Channel (1995–1997)
			\| owner = The Walt Disney Company (UK) Ltd.<br>] (])
			\| timeshift_service = Disney Channel +1
			\| type =
			\| country = United Kingdom
			\| area = ]
			\| headquarters = ], England<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|title=Disney Studios, Chiswick Park \|url=https://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/independent-tv-studios/disney-studios-chiswick-park/ \|access-date=2022-12-11 \|website=TV Studio History \|language=en-US}}</ref>
			\| sister_channels = ]<br>]
			}}
			'''Disney Channel''' was a British-Irish children's ] channel owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of ]. Active from 1 October 1995 to 1 October 2020, the channel served young audiences in the region. This iteration is distinct from the ] 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 ] and ]. At the time of its closure, it had two sister channels: ] and ], which also originated from the United States.
	{{Infobox TV channel
	\| name = Disney Channel
	\| logofile = DisneyChannel2010.png
	\| logosize = 200px
	\| launch = 1 October 1995
	\| picture format = ]/] ] (])<br>] (])
	\| former names = The Disney Channel<br /><small>(until 1 March 1997)</small>
	\| share = 0.4%<br>0.2% (+1)
	\| share as of = June 2012
	\| share source =
	\| owner = ]
	\| timeshift names = Disney Channel +1
	\| country = ]<br>]
	\| headquarters = ], ]
	\| sister names = ] <br> ] <br> ]
	\| web =
	\| terr serv 1 = ]
	\| terr chan 1 = TV Favourites
	\| sat serv 1 = ]
	\| sat chan 1 = Channel 609 (SD/HD)<br>Channel 610 (+1)<br>Channel 635 (SD)
	\| cable serv 1 = ]
	\| cable chan 1 = Channel 724<br>Channel 725 (+1)<br>TV Choice On Demand
	\| cable serv 2 = ]
	\| cable chan 2 = Channel 609<br>Channel 610 (+1)
	\| cable serv 3 = ]
	\| cable chan 3 = Channel 613
	\| iptv serv 1 = ]
	\| iptv chan 1 = Programmes available on-demand
	\| online serv 1 = ]
	\| online chan 1 = (UK & Ireland only)
	\| online serv 2 = Virgin Media Player
	\| online chan 2 = (UK only)
	\|}}
	'''Disney Channel''' is a children's entertainment channel available in the ] and ] since 1 October 1995. A one hour ] service called '''Disney Channel +1''' is available on ] and ]. Disney Channel currently has three sister channels; ], ] and ].

	==~~Overview~~==		==History==
	Disney Channel had an ] service on ]. Viewers who press the red button on their Sky ] are able to access information about shows, character profiles, detailed TV listings, quizzes, and hundreds of messages submitted by viewers.The interactive service also includes links to a small selection of games. Some can be played as 'overlay' games, with the channel video continuing in the background; others are accessible via a link to a Disney-branded section of BSkyB's '']'' interactive service. The overlay games are developed by ] and French game developers ]. The interactive service was designed and built by ], and went live in September 2007<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.pushbutton.tv/html/news/article_0001.php?UID=43 \|title=Pushbutton creates interactivity for Disney Channel UK}}</ref> replacing the old service created by Tamblin. Previously, Disney Channel also had a ] service, consisting of about 200 pages, known as Disney Text.

			=== Background (1989–1995) ===
	Disney Channel used to carry the British version of ] on its late evening programming. All of Disney Channel's shows are now ] on ].
			In 1989, Disney Channel UK was set to become the first international Disney Channel with support from ], 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.<ref>{{cite web \|date=16 May 1989 \|title=Number 2043 \|url=http://ftp.funet.fi/pub/dx/text/NEWS/SCDX/scdx2043.txt \|publisher=SWEDEN CALLING DXERS}}</ref>

			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.<ref>{{cite web \|author=Richard W. Stevenson \|date=16 May 1989 \|title=Murdoch Broadcast Concern Sues Disney \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/16/business/murdoch-broadcast-concern-sues-disney.html \|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|author=Kathyrn Harris \|date=3 June 1989 \|title=Disney Settles Fraud Suit With Murdoch's News Corp. \|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-03-fi-953-story.html \|work=]}}</ref>
	==History and availability==
	===1989-1999: Early years===
	Disney Channel was originally planned to launch in 1989 on the newly launched ] satellite service. It was featured in much of the promotional material surrounding the launch of Sky Television and the Astra satellite. Due to an apparent dispute, the launch was cancelled. Sky Television filed a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company for not launching the channel.The lawsuit was closed later.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://ftp.funet.fi/pub/dx/text/NEWS/SCDX/scdx2043.txt\|title=Number 2043\|publisher=SWEDEN CALLING DXERS\|date=16 May 1989}}</ref>

			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 ]. Subscribers to Sky’s movie package could receive The Disney Channel for free, while it was also offered as a standalone package.
	] launched in April 1995, as a joint venture between ] predecessor company Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion and ]. Seven months later, the channel appeared on 1 October 1995. At first the channel's broadcasting hours were 06:00 to 22:00 with ] airing during the station's downtime.

			In January 1994, Disney announced a joint venture with ] to launch Super RTL in Germany, which successfully launched in April 1995.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1994-12-08 \|title=BSKYB To Offer Disney Channel \|url=https://the-media-leader.com/bskyb-to-offer-disney-channel/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=The Media Leader}}</ref>
	===1999-2003: Circles Era===
	On 29 September 2000, Disney Channel launched two sister channels, a pre-school oriented ] and the now-defunct 24-hour cartoon channel ]. A one hour ] of ''Disney Channel'' also launched on the same day. All 3 were only available to ] subscribers. ] and ] customers could only receive the main Disney Channel. On all platforms, the Disney Channel package was a premium offering, requiring an additional subscription fee in order to view, though Sky subscribers could receive the channels for free if they also subscribed to the full ] package (aka Sky Movies World, with contained 4 Sky Premier channels, 5 Sky MovieMax channels and 2 Sky Cinema channels). Despite the launch of ], Disney Channel continue to air a block of Playhouse Disney-branded preschool programmes during school mornings, although has in recent years been greatly reduced. .

			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 ] on the ] 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 '']''. Mellors Reay & Partners handled the channel’s launch advertising, with media services managed by BBJ Media Services Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1995-08-25 \|title=Disney Channel Launch \|url=https://the-media-leader.com/disney-channel-launch/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=The Media Leader}}</ref>
	===2003-2007: The Bounce Era===
	On 15 March 2003, Disney Channel UK adopted ]'s new logo (designed by CA Square), along with new graphics.

			=== Launch and development (1995–2020) ===
	In early 2006, Sky and Disney were locked in ongoing negotiations over a new contract for carriage on the former's digital satellite television service. The previous, ten-year deal, which was inked while Sky floated on the ] in 1994, was temporarily extended whilst both sides attempted to reach an agreement. Sky was understood to have been seeking a substantially reduced payment towards the kids broadcaster{{Citation needed\|date=February 2007}}. A new agreement, reported to be worth £130 million a year{{Citation needed\|date=February 2007}}, was reached on 27 February 2007. As a result, on 16 March, changes were made to the Disney services in the UK. Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney ceased to be premium add-on channels and instead operated as part of basic-level subscription packages (such as Sky's "Kids Mix".) A new premium service, subscription channel ], was launched to take the Disney slot in the Sky Movies premium bundle; ] was taken off the air to free up a broadcast slot for the Cinemagic channel, and has never returned; Disney Channel's main one-hour timeshift, Disney Channel +1 was initially taken off the air to free up a slot for the premium Disney Cinemagic +1. However, Disney Channel +1 subsequently returned on 26 June 2006.
			The Disney Channel's studios and broadcast facilities were initially located at ]. In late 1996, they were relocated to ], where Thames Television's original headquarters had been.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|title=St John's Wood Studios \|url=https://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/independent-tv-studios/st-johns-wood-studios/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=TV Studio History}}</ref> ] provided playout and transmission services for the channel.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2000-05-20 \|title=Pearson Television Home Page \|url=http://www.pearsontv.com/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000520065203/http://www.pearsontv.com/ \|archive-date=20 May 2000 \|access-date=2023-04-06}}</ref>

			Within two weeks of its launch, Disney Channel UK began discussions with the ] (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.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1995-10-10 \|title=Disney Channel Must Change Promotion Operations \|url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/disney-channel-must-change-promotion-operations--66677 \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=Telecompaper}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1997-07-29 \|title=ITC Supports Complaints Over Disney Channel \|url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/itc-supports-complaints-over-disney-channel--113779 \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=Telecompaper}}</ref>
	On 27 October 2006, Disney Channel was added to ], a new service that downloads programming from 19 channels to a special ]. In 2007 Disney have added more ] content to ]'s Service. On 22 November 2007 it was announced Disney Channel joined the lineup for ], ]'s proposed new pay-TV service for ].

			On 2 March 1998, Disney Channel UK became available as a separate premium channel on Sky and cable operators.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-02-27 \|title=Disney Channel Goes "A La Carte" \|url=https://the-media-leader.com/disney-channel-goes-a-la-carte/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=The Media Leader}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1998-12-07 \|title=Disney Channel UK Appoints Paul Robinson As MD \|url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/disney-channel-uk-appoints-paul-robinson-as-md--156940 \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=Telecompaper}}</ref>
	===2007-2011: The Ribbon Era===
	2007 saw the debut of two new original series, the ] spinoff ] which ended after two seasons (a possible casualty of the 2007 ] strike, which caused freshman or sophomore series whose production was interrupted midway through the season to eventually be cancelled), and the popular ], starring ], ] and ].

			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.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=1999-02-12 \|title=Disney Channel UK Launches Evening Movie Slot \|url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/disney-channel-uk-launches-evening-movie-slot/1209620.article \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=www. broadcast now.co.uk}}</ref> The channel’s schedule was restructured on 1 September 1999, introducing a ]-branded preschool block and various programming changes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|date=1999-07-16 \|title=Disney Channel UK's autumn schedule will launch on 1 September with a new graphics package created by French production company Gedeon. The idents, set to roll out to other parts of \|url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/disney-channel-uks-autumn-schedule-will-launch-on-1-september-with-a-new-graphics-package-created-by-french-production-company-gedeon-the-idents-set-to-roll-out-to-other-parts-of/1217262.article \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=Broadcast}}</ref>
	2008 is recognized for its new series such as ], ], and ], the spin-off to ], plus new Disney Channel Original Movies such as ], ] and ]. ] was the number one series in the respective categories in kids ages 6–12 and tweens ages 9–14 in 2008.

			In 2000, Disney Channel launched three new sister channels: Playhouse Disney, ], and Disney Channel +1.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2000-09-13 \|title=Disney launches new channels \|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/disney-launches-new-channels/506643 \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=www.campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web \|date=2000-09-22 \|title=CHANNEL FOCUS - The talk of the toon \|url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/channel-focus-the-talk-of-the-toon/1202051.article \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=www.broadcastnow.co.uk}}</ref> 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.
	In 2009, Disney Channel launched two new series: ] (the first original series shot in high definition) starring ] in February, and ] starring the ] in May. New movies in 2009 included: ], ], ], and ]. The four original movies for 2009 had the widest range of Disney Channel Stars in the networks history.

			By 2002, Disney Channel UK moved to new facilities at Chiswick Park.<ref name=":1" /> On 17 August 2004, Disney Channel Play, a games service, was launched on ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2004-08-17 \|title=Sky Selects Disney For Interactive Games Service - The Media Leader \|url=https://the-media-leader.com/sky-selects-disney-for-interactive-games-service/ \|access-date=2024-09-02 \|language=en-GB}}</ref> In September 2004, the channel expanded to a 24-hour service.<ref name=":2" />
	First time ever since Starstruck the Disney Channel original movie premiered in May 2010 had been displayed in a widescreen aspect ratio (16:9). A new set of programme mini-idents were launched on Saturday 11 September 2010. The theme for each ident is made for the programme. The idents previously had a polkadot background.

			On 16 March 2006, Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney shifted from premium channels to basic-level subscription packages.<ref>{{cite web \|date=27 February 2006 \|title=Disney in £130m deal with Sky as ESPN launches in the UK \|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/disney-130m-deal-sky-espn-launches-uk/543453 \|publisher=Campaign}}</ref> ] replaced Toon Disney, while Disney Channel +1 returned in June 2006.<ref>{{cite web \|date=7 June 2006 \|title=Disney Channel timeshift to rejoin Sky EPG \|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/satellite/a33865/disney-channel-timeshift-to-rejoin-sky-epg/ \|website=]}}</ref> In late 2007, Disney Channel joined Sky’s Picnic service, which later became ] in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Disney lines up for Sky's proposed Picnic \|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/disney-lines-skys-proposed-picnic/768600 \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=www.campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref>
	This time Disney Channel chose to broadcast most of their shows in a 4:3 aspect ratio, despite much of their newer programming being produced in a ] widescreen aspect ratio.

			In January 2009, Disney Channel UK launched an in-house sales team for commercial deals while remaining advertising-free.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Disney Channel's sales team boost \|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/disney-channels-sales-team-boost/873134 \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref> 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 ].<ref>{{cite web \|date=6 July 2011 \|title=Selena Gomez marks Disney Channel HD launch \|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a328603/selena-gomez-marks-disney-channel-hd-launch.html \|publisher=Digital Spy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|date=15 August 2012 \|title=UPC adds 21 new HD channels, including 19 Sky channels - Play \|url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/play/upc-adds-21-new-hd-channels-including-19-sky-channels \|publisher=Silicon Republic}}</ref>
	During Spring 2011, Disney Channel Premiered the final episode of the 5 year long running of ], and the final episode ] premiered with 621,000 views <ref name="barb">], via </ref> becoming the most watch episode watch in Disney Channel in the ].

			By 2012, Encompass took over as the playout provider for Disney Channel.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web \|title=Walt Disney hearing summary \|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5329deb4ed915d0e5d000287/walt_disney_summary.pdf \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk}}</ref> On 1 July 2013, Disney Channel and Disney Junior began carrying advertising, and Disney Cinemagic was closed,<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Disney Channel and Disney Junior UK to start running spot ads \|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/disney-channel-disney-junior-uk-start-running-spot-ads/1173168 \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref> with Disney’s movie content moving to ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2013-02-21 \|title=Sky and Disney launch pay TV channel \|url=https://tbivision.com/2013/02/21/sky-and-disney-launch-pay-tv-channel/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=TBI Vision}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=2013-02-21 \|title=Sky Movies Disney: new channel to show UK TV film premieres \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/21/sky-movies-disney-new-channel-uk \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=The Guardian}}</ref> Disney Channel left Now TV in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2015-11-23 \|title=DisneyLife Streaming Service Launches in the U.K. \|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disneylife-streaming-service-launches-in-the-u-k/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=]}}</ref> and ] replaced it on the original slot.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web \|date=2016-05-04 \|title=Sky's Now TV intros new kids streaming service \|url=https://kidscreen.com/2016/05/04/skys-now-tv-launches-contract-free-kids-streaming-service/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=Kidscreen}}</ref> Disney+ replaced internet service DisneyLife in March 2020, no longer including linear TV channels.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2019-05-09 \|title=DisneyLife - Watch Disney Movies, TV Box Sets, Listen to Music & More \|url=https://www.disneylife.com/uk \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509032441/https://www.disneylife.com/uk \|archive-date=9 May 2019 \|access-date=2023-04-06}}</ref>
	===2011-present: The Smartphone Logo Era===
	On 1 September 2011, Disney Channel adopted the current US logo which launched in early 2010 as well as using the widescreen (16:9) format in all programming that has been produced in this format. (Another version of the reface will be later be carried out in the U.S around Fall 2012.) Disney Channel HD, a ] of the Disney Channel in ], launched on 15 September 2011 on ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a328603/selena-gomez-marks-disney-channel-hd-launch.html\|title=Selena Gomez marks Disney Channel HD launch\|publisher=Digital Spy\|date=6 July 2011}}</ref> The launch was accompanied by a handful of new series including ], ], ] and ], the UK TV premiere of ] and brand new episodes of shows such as ], ] and ] as part of the "New Season".<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=4&article=61594\|title=Disney grows network line-up\|publisher=C21 Media\|date=6 July 2011}}</ref>

			=== Closure (2020) ===
	In 2012, Disney channel launched two new series: ] starring ] in February and Disney Channel's newest show ] starring ] and ] in April. Three ] premiered during the Q1 of 2012 including ], ] and ] staring ] and ].
			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.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2020-06-03 \|title=David Levine to leave Disney \|url=https://kidscreen.com/2020/06/03/david-levine-to-leave-disney/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Kanter \|first=Jake \|date=2020-06-03 \|title=Disney European Kids Chief David Levine Quits After 16 Years \|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/disney-european-kids-chief-david-levine-quits-1202950164/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=Deadline}}</ref> On 25 June 2020, Disney Channel UK was set to close following the launch of Disney+.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Kanter \|first=Jake \|date=2020-06-25 \|title=Disney To Close Kids Channels In The UK Following Launch Of Disney+ \|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/disney-to-close-kids-channels-in-the-uk-following-launch-of-disney-1202969592/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=Deadline}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=DisneyChannelUK - YouTube \|url=https://www.youtube.com/@DisneyChannelUK/ \|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
	] ended it's Suite Life franchise during Ferbruary 2012 and ], Disney Channel's longest-running original series with 106 episodes, ended its run on the channel in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h_vG7lCfRbMivTkj4EkIQ4dXGusA?docId=N0179501333020782989A\|title=Wizards Of Waverly Place ends}}</ref>
	On June 1, 2012, Disney Channel updated their television format to the format used for Disney Channel's USA network, with the premiere of the ], ]. The new format included a coloured logo and new bumpers and promos layout.

			The final program aired was the 2019 film '']''.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Disney Channel (UK) - Final Closedown - 1 October 2020 - YouTube \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSOsKBexhpY \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/YSOsKBexhpY \|archive-date=2021-12-19 \|access-date=2020-12-19 \|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{better source needed\|date=January 2021}} The channels were removed from Virgin Media on 29 September,<ref>{{cite web \|author=Mullins, Daniel \|date=1 October 2020 \|title=Disney Channel UK: Virgin Media Feed Shutdown \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQut8Gz8l10.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/oQut8Gz8l10 \|archive-date=2021-12-19 \|via=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{better source needed\|date=January 2021}} and ] and ] took over their Sky EPG slots on 1 October.{{citation needed\|date=January 2021}} In November 2020, Disney returned its broadcast licenses for Disney Channel UK, Disney XD UK, and Disney Junior UK to ], with new European licenses being handled by Spain's CMNC due to ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2021-01-18 \|title= TV broadcast licensing monthly updates - Ofcom \|url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20210118001317/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/tv-broadcast-licences/updates \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=Mavise - Search results \|url=http://mavise.obs.coe.int/q/ondemand/Disney%20Channel \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=mavise.obs.coe.int}}</ref> Sky Cinema Disney also closed on 30 December 2020, making Disney+ the primary source for Disney movies in the UK and Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2020-12-08 \|title=Sky Cinema Disney To Close This Month \|url=https://whatsondisneyplus.com/sky-cinema-disney-to-close-this-month/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=What's On Disney Plus}}</ref> Following Fox UK's closure in 2021, ] and ] were the only Disney-owned pay TV channels in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-04-06 \|title=Fox to cease UK broadcasts \|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2021/05/19/fox-to-cease-uk-broadcasts/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=www.broadbandtvnews.com}}</ref>
	==Live presentation==
	{{Main\|Studio Disney UK}}
	Until recently, live presentation was an important feature of Disney Channel. The best known example of this launched in September 1997 as ''Disney Channel UK Live'', and relaunched as '']'' on 1 May 1999. Presenters included: ], ], ], ], ], Amy Garcia, Ollie from Freefaller, ], Jemma James (now Jemma Forte). Studio Disney ran on weekdays, usually from 16:00 to 19:00, in direct competition with similar services offered by ], ] and ]. The show featured a team of between two and six presenters who came on air between programmes, giving viewers the opportunity to call in, interact and win prizes. Studio Disney also produced many of its own short programmes, including ''Wish Upon a Star'' and ''Junior Journo'', which were aired during the block itself and between programmes at other times. Studio Disney bowed out on 1 July 2005, in line with the disappearance of afternoon in-vision presentation on CITV and Nickelodeon the previous year and leaving the channel with a format similar to that of its ].

			After Disney Channel UK’s shutdown, Disney vacated its Chiswick Park building, returning it to the landlord in June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Building 12, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5AN \|url=https://www.novaloca.com/office-space/to-let/london/chiswick-park/193428?search=true \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=www.novaloca.com}}</ref> Disney continues to operate its EMEA headquarters in ].
	The live presentation of the show, would also run competitions in which viewers could win holidays, and other prizes.
	Special holiday competitions would be run, ], ], ], ], ], ], etc. For instance, a Mother's Day Competition of 2003 involved ] surprising four entrants and their mothers to a special get-away. Meanwhile, a Father's Day - Competition of 2004 involved ] and ] treating one lucky dad to a day at ] track.

			==Programming==
	At other times of day, pre-recorded presentation was used, typically recorded in such a manner that viewers would believe that it was live. An example of this was breakfast segment ''Up'' (and later called ''Zoom!''), which was hosted out-of-vision by ] presenter, and managing director ]. Another example originated from the ''Monster March'' event that ran throughout March 2002, during which the schedule featured many ]-themed shows and movies. Pre-recorded sketches featuring a ] ] ] named ''Raoul'' were inserted between programmes, and as this proved popular{{Citation needed\|date=February 2007}}, Raoul was given a number of his own segments on the channel over the next few years, including ''The Raoul Show'', ''Good Morning Raoul'' and ''The Raoul Summer''. The best sketches from The Raoul Show were made into a series of short programmes entitled ''The Best of Raoul''. Raoul was even the subject of a question on the 20th Anniversary edition of ].
			{{Main\| 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 ], '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Barraclough \|first=Leo \|date=17 March 2014 \|title=Disney Greenlights England-set Spooky House Tale 'Evermoor' \|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/disney-greenlights-england-set-spooky-house-tale-evermoor-1201136103/ \|access-date=28 March 2020 \|publisher=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|author=Seán Brosnan \|date=24 March 2016 \|title=Disney Channel Series The Lodge Begins Filming in Northern Ireland \|url=http://www.iftn.ie/production/production_news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4289117&tpl=archnews&force=1 \|access-date=28 March 2020 \|work=IFTN}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news \|last=Whittock \|first=Jesse \|title=Disney heads to 101 Dalmatian Street \|url=https://tbivision.com/2017/06/14/disney-heads-101-dalmatian-street/761881 \|access-date=28 March 2020 \|work=TBI Vision}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sL4RAQAAMAAJ&q=stick+with+me+kid+disney+channel \|title=TV World \|date=1995 \|publisher=Alain-Charles Pub. \|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Zahed \|first=Ramin \|date=2018-06-05 \|title=Disney Reveals Magic Touch with 'Sadie Sparks' \|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/disney-reveals-magic-touch-with-sadie-sparks/ \|access-date=2019-11-03 \|work=]}}</ref> Disney Channel UK also aired a variety of local programming, including '']'' (a localized version of '']''),<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Dowell \|first=Ben \|date=2008-08-18 \|title=Life Bites: Teens get acting break in Disney sketch show \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/aug/18/television.television \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=]}}</ref> '']'' (a localized version of '']''), '']'' (a karaoke series featuring songs from '']''), '']'', '']'', ''Access All Areas'', and '']''.

			In March 2014, Disney Channel announced ''Evermoor'', a multi-part movie filmed in the UK and later developed into '']'' TV series. It became the first long-form British series to air on the American Disney Channel. The series was produced by ] and Disney's EMEA television studio.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2014-03-17 \|title=Disney Channel's Evermoor filming in UK \|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a557948/disney-channel-multi-part-movie-evermoor-to-be-filmed-in-uk/ \|access-date=2023-04-06 \|website=www.digitalspy.com}}</ref>
	Disney Channel also held an annual awards ceremony called the ''Disney Channel Kids Awards''. The categories were centred around music, sport, television and film. The winners in each category were voted for by viewers online. The ceremonies, hosted by Studio Disney presenters, were held at ] and ]. These were broadcast on Disney Channel and ] and featured performances from popular music artists such as Girls Aloud.

			On 18 March 2019, Disney Channel UK premiered '']'', a locally produced animated series inspired by Disney's '']'' franchise and ]'s original novel. The series was developed by Disney’s London animation team, Passion Animation Studios, and ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2018-10-02 \|title=101 Dalmatian Street » Atomic Cartoons Inc. \|url=https://www.atomiccartoons.com/projects/101-dalmatian-street \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002002450/https://www.atomiccartoons.com/projects/101-dalmatian-street \|archive-date=2 October 2018 \|access-date=2023-04-06}}</ref><ref name=":6" />
	==Website==
	Disney Channel's website features information, games, interactive features and contact details and submission forms. The site has been made entirely in ] since 1 May 1999, the same day as the 1999 re-brand. In May 2003, it was completely redesigned to fit with the other Disney Channel's worldwide after the global rebrand. In 2007 it was added to disneychannel.co.uk, when the website's homepage was revamped to fit the look of the American site. In 2011, along with the other Disney sites, it was revamped. in September 2011, it was revamped once again, due to the new logo.

	==~~Sister~~ ~~networks~~==		==See also==
	~~===~~ Disney ~~Cinemagic ===~~		* ]
			* ]
	{{Main\|Disney Cinemagic (UK & Ireland)}}
			* ]
	This television channel in the United Kingdom is the premium subscription movie service available on most major platforms. The channel was launched on 16 March 2006, and carries programmes such as ] and ] which were shown on its predecessor ] The channel carries two counterparts, a timeshift channel and a ] channel.
			* ]

	=== Disney Junior ===
	{{Main\|Disney Junior (UK & Ireland)}}
	This television channel in the United Kingdom is aimed at preschool children. The channel was launched on 29 September 2000 as Playhouse Disney and carried programming such as ]. The channel was rebranded as Disney Junior on 7 May 2011. The channel carries a single counterpart, a timeshift channel.

	=== Disney XD ===
	{{Main\|Disney XD (UK & Ireland)}}

	==Disney Channel services==
	*'''iTunes'''
	The channel regularly updates its iTunes library with the latest episodes. Some of these are available in HD.
	*'''Disney Channel On Demand''' is the channel's ] service, offering select episodes of the channel's original series. It is available from ] (and plus), ] and ].

	==Disney Channel programmes==
	{{Main\|List of programmes broadcast by Disney Channel in the UK & Ireland}}

	=== Most watched programmes ===
	The following is a list of the ten most watched shows on Disney Channel UK, based on Live +7 data supplied by '']'' up to 10 April 2012.<ref name="barb"/> The number of viewers does not include repeats.
	{\| class="wikitable"
	! Rank !! Series title !! Episode title !! No. of Viewers !! Date
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|1 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|621,000 \|\| 27 May 2011
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|2 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|543,000 \|\| 9 January 2011
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|3 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|535,000 \|\| 18 February 2011
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|4 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|531,000 \|\| 21 September 2007
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|5 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|521,000 \|\| 29 October 2010
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|6 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|513,000 \|\| 21 September 2007
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|7 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|513,000 \|\| 21 February 2010
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|8 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|488,000 \|\| 21 September 2007
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|9 \|\| '']'' \|\| Twister: Parts ], ] & ] \|\| align="center"\|488,000 \|\| 24 July 2011
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|10 \|\| '']'' \|\| ] \|\| align="center"\|462,000 \|\| 30 March 2012
	\|}

	=== Top 5 Most Watched DCOM ===
	The following is a list of the five most watched ]s on Disney Channel UK, based on Live +7 data supplied by '']'' up to 1 March 2012.<ref name="barb"/> The number of viewers does not include repeats.
	{\| class="wikitable"
	! Rank !! Movie title !! No. of Viewers !! Date
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|1 \|\| '']'' \|\| align="center"\|1,336,000 \|\| 21 September 2007
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|2 \|\| '']'' \|\| align="center"\|1,044,000 \|\| 21 October 2009
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|3 \|\| '']'' \|\| align="center"\|835,000 \|\| 22 September 2006
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|4 \|\| '']'' \|\| align="center"\|780,000 \|\| 17 February 2012
	\|-
	\| align="center"\|5 \|\| '']'' \|\| align="center"\|683,000 \|\| 14, May 2010
	\|}

	==Films==
	{{Main\|List of Disney Channel Original Movies}}
	Disney Channel traditionally broadcast most of its movies, including ] movies and ]s, on the main channel. These were usually shown daily at 7pm under ''The Wonderful World of Disney'' (earlier ''The Magical World of Disney'') brand. On weekends, the channel would show at least three movies per a day. The ''Saturday Movie Showdown'' took place every Saturday morning, wherein viewers were invited to vote for one of a selection of three movies on the channel's website, the winner being aired in the 11am slot. Starting in 2003,{{Verify source\|date=July 2007}} Latterly, a movie was transmitted in ] with ] Surround Sound on Sundays at 4pm - much of the channel's other content was in 4:3 at this time.

	However, when ] launched in March 2006, ''The Wonderful World of Disney'' and the Sunday widescreen movie were axed, and all Walt Disney Studios movies were moved over to the new channel, such that they can remain as a premium add-on. However, ] are still broadcast regularly on Disney Channel, with premieres of new ones shown on Friday evenings a short while after their premiere in ] (usually a few weeks, though in some cases, such as '']'' and '']'', the delay can be up to several years - the latter, which had its US premiere in 2004, has never been aired in the UK). As a result of these changes, movies are now shown more frequently across Disney's channels overall, and non-Cinemagic subscribers can now see Disney Channel Original Movies.
	In December 2009 it was announced the Disney Channel UK was going to premiere two movies in that month; '']'' and '']'', which is very rare for Disney Channel. This happened again in September 2011, with the premieres of '']'' and '']''. The most recent movie to premiere was ] on Friday 1st June 2012.
	Below is a list of upcoming movie premieres:
	*] (Friday 20th July 2012)
	*] (October 2012)

	==Seasonal programming blocks==

	* '''Summer''' - The network runs summer programming blocks every year with differing themes titled "Disney Channel Summer". Generally most of the network's series airs re-run episodes chosen by the viewers through the summer and original movies premiere in these months to take advantage of the largest possible children's audience, as do most children's networks. There are also new episode premieres sometimes.
	* '''New Season''' Every September after Summer and part of the new school term, Disney Channel UK airs a special Night of Premieres, which showcases a brand new ] and add adverts of new series and events occurring in the coming months.
	* '''Halloween''' - In October, Disney Channel airs Halloween programming in an annual event, Halloween films such as the '']'' series have premiered in this month, along with '']'', '']'', and '']'', along with Halloween episodes of the network's original series. There are also premieres of brand new Halloween-themed episodes of Disney series.
	* '''Christmas''' - The network's December schedule usually focuses on ] programming, with the title of the branding changing every year. Christmas films and specials such as '']'' have premiered in this month, along with Christmas episodes of the network's original series such as '']'', and several '']'' Christmas Specials.
	* '''New Year's''' - On New Year's Eve, Disney Channel UK airs the most popular shows which has aired though out the year, then the network airs a marathon on the day of the New Year. From 2009, Disney Channel UK airs a marathon of ]. In 2012, they will start changing their New Year schedule to the same as the USA, with a special event.
	*'''Disney's Friends for Change Games''' - The Disney's Friends for Change Games are an Olympic-based televised event aired on Disney Channel and is part of The Walt Disney Company's Friends for Change initiative. It replaces the ] and premiered in October, 2011. The games will not return in 2012.

	==Presentation==
	In October 1995, The Disney Channel UK's logo was a simple Mickey Mouse head, with 'The Disney Channel' text on the bottom. Six idents for the 1995 logo were created by ].

	On 1 May 1999, to celebrate the new millennium, Disney Channel launched its new '''Circles''' logo, with simple circles forming the logo itself. The new idents were created in CGI, with various objects forming the Disney Channel logo, such as two yo-yos and a spinning top, two fans and a sun, and two stopwatches and a basketball. The new identity package was created by France-based design agency, GÉDÉON. Other design agencies, such as Gamma Studios, Estructura7, Velvet, and Pedall, helped with the project.

	{\| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width="100%"
	! colspan=2 style="text-align:center"\|List of Disney Channel UK's "Circles" idents (1999–2003)
	\|-
	! Name !! Description
	\|-
	\|Discoball
	\|Seven disco lights move to the rhythm of the music, which then transitions to a discoball with two disco lights at the top.
	\|-
	\|Raindrops
	\|The logo is formed from three raindrops in a glass window.
	\|-
	\|Pumpkins
	\|Two pumpkins ride a roller coaster, then they bounce to another pumpkin in the end.
	\|-
	\|Chrome Blob
	\|A silver blob moves around a metal surface until a blue metallic blob lands on it, splitting it into two blobs. The blobs join together to form spheres to form the logo.
	\|-
	\|Laboratory (Glass Charger)
	\|A laboratory is seen where two green blobs are carried to a plasma glass sphere, forming the logo. This ident was created by Marc du Pontavice, who is the producer of '']'', with animation by GÉDÉON. Also, this ident won an award (and shown as an example) in Disney Channel France's ''Les Grands Prix De L'imagination''.
	\|-
	\|Soap Bubbles
	\|The camera zooms in on bathroom tiles until a big dark blue bubble rises up on the screen and then two light blue bubbles appear, then they align to form the logo. It is one of the first 9 idents produced by GÉDÉON (along with Discoball, Raindrops, Pumpkins, Computer, Laboratory, Spotlights, Clouds, and Chrome Blob), and they are known as "the first 9".
	\|-
	\|Peacock
	\|A peacock shows off its feathers, which contains the Disney Channel logo formed by two yellow circles and a blue circle. A night version of this ident was also created.
	\|-
	\|Computer Mouse
	\|The logo is formed from two @ symbols and a computer mouse.
	\|-
	\|Moon
	\|A moon is seen in a night forest as comets strike the clouds, forming the logo.
	\|-
	\|Video Game
	\|Two red spheres race in a video-game style, then when the spheres finish the race, the Disney Channel logo appears, which is formed by the spheres and a gold medal.
	\|-
	\|Computer
	\|A computer uses a few programs until two orange mini-discs and a blue optical disc appears on the disc drive. A snippet of the 'Video Game' ident also appears here.
	\|-
	\|Grapes
	\|A picnic table is seen with a plate with two green olives and a purple grape.
	\|-
	\|Planet
	\|Two stars burst into sparkles over a blue planet, forming the logo. Also used during the ''Long Nights'' programming block on ].
	\|-
	\|Chameleon
	\|A chameleon chases a blue bug, which then the bug sticks to the tongue and lands on the chameleon's eyes, forming the logo. This ident was originally used by Disney Channel Latin America.
	\|-
	\|Chess
	\|All the chess pieces on a chess board battle each other, until two black pawns and a white king form the logo.
	\|-
	\|Picnic
	\|Yellow plates arrange on a picnic blanket, and a apple falls over the plates and another apple falls over the first apple and a plate, forming the Disney Channel logo.
	\|-
	\|Spinning Top
	\|A blue multicolor top spins on a purple gradient background, then two yellow-green yoyo's spin above the top and their ropes are tangled on the top, forming the logo. This was the last of the idents to be aired on ].
	\|-
	\|Sun Cooler
	\|The sun heats the nearby planets, then two fans blow the sun's rays, and then the fans position over the sun. This ident is stop-animated.
	\|-
	\|Bubble Paper (Soda)
	\|A white paper sphere submerges in a pool of multicolor water, then in the end, two green bubbles and the sphere float over the water.
	\|-
	\|Lawn
	\|A series of lawns is seen, until three piles of rocks form the logo on a green lawn. First used before '''Home Improvement''' in February 2000.
	\|-
	\|Grapevines
	\|Three bunches of grapes form the logo in a vineyard. Often used before '''A Bug's Life'''.
	\|-
	\|Underground Turnips
	\|Two red turnips and a yellow round mass of roots grow to form the logo in an underground soil background.
	\|-
	\|Soccerball
	\|A soccer ball is bouncing on a soccer stadium, which then crashes into a scoreboard with two circles. Although this ident is originally created for sport-related programs, this ident joined the regular line-up along with the ''Basketball'' ident on July 1999.
	\|-
	\|Spotlights
	\|An orange spotlight circles around the red curtain background, and two yellow spotlights also appear, then all spotlights align to form the Disney Channel logo. Also used throughout Disney Channel Germany's first birthday on October 2000.
	\|-
	\|Temple
	\|A pedestal opens up, revealing a puzzle, then the puzzle is arranged, causing the gate to open. When the camera moves towards the boulder, it drops, rolls, and stops on the puzzle where two snakes coil above it, forming the logo. Originally planned to be used for '''Misterios y Leyendas''' on Disney Channel Latin America in February 2001, but instead first appeared in the UK in December 2000. The original "Misterios y Leyendas" version used the full sequence, but the UK version cuts to the puzzle instead of starting at the pedestal. The ident is created by '''Tr!ck''', a design agency in Madrid, Spain. Also, this ident also won the "Best On-air Ident" award at the PromaxBDA Awards in 2001.
	\|-
	\|Swimming Pool
	\|Two yellow beach balls and a red swim tube form the logo on a swimming pool. First used on ] in November 1999 then used in the UK on January 2000.
	\|-
	\|Clouds
	\|A blue balloon passes through a wormhole in a digital sky background, then it flies over to two clouds on a blue gradient background, forming the logo.
	\|-
	\|Basketball
	\|Four stopwatches play with a basketball on a court, then one of the stopwatches shoot the ball onto two silver stopwatches. This ident is originally used for special programs, then it joins the line-up along with ''Soccerball'' on July 1999.
	\|-
	\|Snowy Window
	\|A shape of the logo is made on a snowy window, which shows a winter forest with Santa flying above. The completed logo is the two small circles on a black sky color and the bigger circle on a blue gradient color with a cottage seen in the circle. First used in December 1999, then joined the regular line-up on January 2000.
	\|-
	\|Wreath
	\|A wreath falls off a door and it rolls and turns into a snowball (knocking a snowman on the way) and then it crashes on a Christmas tree, causing two red baubles and a green wreath to fall on the ground, forming the logo. Originally used on December 1999, then joined the regular idents on January 2000.
	\|-
	\|Popcorn
	\|The logo is formed from two film reels and a popcorn bucket. Frequently used before movies, then used on regular programming on January 2000.
	\|-
	\|UFO
	\|A silver space station drops two UFO's and they fly smoothly through space until they land on a green planet. First seen during 'Lion King Sunday' on November 1999.
	\|-
	\|Paint Palette
	\|Two red paint pots and a blue palette form the logo on a yellow background.
	\|-
	\|Flowers
	\|A garden is seen where two pink flowers and a sunflower form the logo. First used in spring 2000.
	\|-
	\|Butterfly
	\|A butterfly flies into a field where it lands on a flower, until the wind blows the flowers and the leaves and petals make the circles form the logo. The butterfly then lands on the floral logo. Introduced spring 2001.
	\|-
	\|Greek Pot
	\|A Greek pot is seen where the Disney Channel logo is engraved. First used before '''Hercules''' on March 2000.
	\|-
	\|Sunset
	\|Two black clouds and a setting sun form the logo on an empty plain. First used before '''Lion King 2''' on Disney Channel in April 2000.
	\|-
	\|Liquid Lightbulb
	\|Two light bulbs and a blue liquid sphere form the logo on a galaxy background. Used for ] ''Les Grands Prix De L'imagination'' on March 2000, then appeared as a regular ident in the UK on August 2000. Also used as a generic logo of Disney Channel France.
	\|-
	\|Map
	\|A shape of the Disney Channel logo is seen on a map and is represented by two green islands and a compass rose. First aired during '''Peter Pan''' on November 1999.
	\|-
	\|Space Bubbles
	\|Three blue bubbles float in a space background as a satellite pass through one of the bubbles, then the two other bubbles pass through the first one, and the big bubble burst into two light blue bubbles and a dark blue one, forming the logo. Used before ''Buzz Lightyear of Star Command'' in June 1999, then became a regular ident on July 1999.
	\|-
	\|Paint Blob
	\|A red blob and a yellow blob separate to form the Disney Channel logo.
	\|-
	\|Green Paint
	\|A yellow circle and a blue circle move around a big red circle, and when the yellow and blue circles cross each other, they turn green and form the Disney Channel logo. First used during a Paulina Rubio concert that aired in ] in 2001.
	\|-
	\|Cake
	\|Two red and green cupcakes and a pink cake form the logo.
	\|-
	\|Purple Blob
	\|A purple splat expands and causes two yellow blobs to appear. Used for '']'', then used as a regular ident on March 2000.
	\|-
	\|Paint Splat
	\|Some paint blobs burst into splats on a yellow background, until two red blobs and a blue one clear the other blobs and splats as the three blobs burst into splats, forming the logo. Used as a generic logo since March 1997, then as a '''Circles''' ident on July 1999. There is also an alternate version of this ident introduced in October 1999, in which two red circles and a blue one simply circle around until they form the logo on the same yellow background.
	\|-
	\|Bumper Cars
	\|Two multicolored bumpers bump each other around until a big bumper appears and they align slowly to form the logo.
	\|-
	\|Amoeba
	\|Two green blobs get carried by a yellow amoeba until the amoeba flings the two blobs into the air and they land on the amoeba, forming the logo.
	\|-
	\|Figure Skating
	\|Two blue spotlights on a ice rink draw two blue scribbles until a pink spotlight draws a spiral trail, forming the logo while the crowd applause.
	\|-
	\|Spiral
	\|A yellow and blue spiral appears on a green background, and the spiral transforms into two yellow circles and a blue one, forming the logo on a pink spiral background. First used on September 1999.
	\|-
	\|2D Circles
	\|Two orange circles inflate a blue circle and the orange circles jump over it, forming the logo.
	\|-
	\|Band
	\|A corral of circles expand with band music, and a blue circle play the bass drum and two yellow circles appear as cymbals, forming the logo.
	\|-
	\|Squeeze
	\|A purple circle drops over a blue circle, and another blue circle tries to get the other circle out of the purple one, then the circle jumps and squeezes the other two, and all three circles form the logo as the background changes to yellow.
	\|-
	\|Sun
	\|Two blue yarn circles travel around a blue background, as one of them has a cold, and as they reach a yellow sun, the blue circle was relieved from the cold, and both blue circles position over the sun.
	\|-
	\|Frogs
	\|Three green round frogs position on a yellow background, as two of them manage to catch flies with their tongues, but the other one gets angry, but it got a big fly, turning it purple and big, forming the logo.
	\|-
	\|Jump
	\|Two purple yarn balls jump continuously as they get bigger, and a blue ball jumps from the right, and flies on top of the two balls, triggering the 3-note Disney Channel jingle and the text. Used between a switchover of ] to Playhouse Disney.
	\|-
	\|Car
	\|Two yellow round pencil shapes and a purple one appear on an orange background, then the circles imitate a car, before going fast and losing control, and they spin around and form the logo.
	\|-
	\|Balloon
	\|Two orange balloons position over a blue circle, then one of the balloons jump from the circle and the other balloon follows, and when they bump each other, their strings disappear, and they fall back on the blue circle.
	\|-
	\|Triplets
	\|Two yellow circles and an orange one appear on a pink background, then a yellow circle plays the flute, the other plays the cello, and the orange one plays the violin, but it became off-tune, and the yellow circles fix the orange one, and all of them play a finale before forming the logo and triggering a violin version of the Disney Channel jingle. First used in ] and Playhouse Disney.
	\|-
	\|Nest
	\|A tree opens up to reveal a bird-like brown circle and two yellow circles appear and they chirp loudly that the brown circle hid them and when it turns upside down, the two yellow circles pop out to form the logo. Also used on Playhouse Disney and their UK website.
	\|-
	\|Dance
	\|Two blue circles and a red circle dance around on an orange background and then do tap dancing until they form the logo.
	\|-
	\|Tug of War
	\|Two black circles pull a red circle out of the way, but one of the black circles get angry and pulled the red circle in the other direction, and the black circles start a tug-of-war, until both circles release the red one and jump over it, forming the logo. This ident was also used for Toon Disney UK.
	\|-
	\|Kicking Circles
	\|Two yellow circles kick a blue circle to the air until it lands on the yellow circles, then the blue circle jumps and smashes to the ground, causing the yellow circles to bounce over the blue one and form the logo. Also used on Toon Disney UK.
	\|-
	\|Smash
	\|Two purple circles smash each other, causing a blue circle to expand between them, forming the logo. This ident is also used in Toon Disney UK.
	\|-
	\|Spring
	\|A yellow ring saw a loop of red string, which the ring turns it into a spring, then another yellow ring jumps over the spring and bounces all over the background, until the ring bounces into the spring and the first ring follows, forming the logo.
	\|}

	On the morning of 15 March 2003, Disney Channel adopted the same new logo as Disney Channel in US. The idents and bumpers were created by CA Square.

	On 1 September 2011, when Disney Channel HD launched in the UK, Disney Channel adapted the new European smartphone app logo, and then again on 1 June 2012, but with the US format.

	==References==		==References==
Line 384:		Line 85:

	==External links==		==External links==
			* {{Official website\|https://tv.disney.co.uk}}
	*
			* {{IMDb title\|qid=Q18154641\|title=Studio Disney}}
	*
			{{Portal bar\|Disney\|Television\|United Kingdom\|Ireland\|Media}}
	*

	{{Disney Channel}}		{{Disney Channel}}
	{{Disney}}		{{Disney}}
	{{Children's channels in UK & Ireland}}		{{Children's channels in UK & Ireland}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2011}}

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Disney Channel (Uk And Ireland)}}
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]
	]
	]
	]		]
			]
			]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
			]

			]
	]
			]
	]
			]
	]
	]
	]

Latest revision as of 15:26, 21 December 2024

Children's television channel in the UK and Ireland (1995–2020)

Television channel

Disney Channel
Programming

Country	United Kingdom
Broadcast area	British Isles
Headquarters	Chiswick, England
Language(s)	English
Picture format	HDTV 1080i SDTV 576i
Timeshift service	Disney Channel +1
Ownership
Owner	The Walt Disney Company (UK) Ltd. Disney Channels Worldwide (Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International)
Sister channels	Disney Junior Disney XD
History
Launched	October 1, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-10-01)
Closed	October 1, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-10-01)
Replaced by	Disney+ (most of its content)
Former names	The 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.

References

^ "Disney Studios, Chiswick Park". TV Studio History. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
Alexander, Julia (25 June 2020). "Disney is eliminating Disney Channel in the UK, moving titles to Disney Plus". The Verge. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
"Number 2043". SWEDEN CALLING DXERS. 16 May 1989.
Richard W. Stevenson (16 May 1989). "Murdoch Broadcast Concern Sues Disney". The New York Times.
Kathyrn Harris (3 June 1989). "Disney Settles Fraud Suit With Murdoch's News Corp". Los Angeles Times.
"BSKYB To Offer Disney Channel". The Media Leader. 8 December 1994. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel Launch". The Media Leader. 25 August 1995. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
^ "St John's Wood Studios". TV Studio History. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Pearson Television Home Page". 20 May 2000. Archived from the original on 20 May 2000. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel Must Change Promotion Operations". Telecompaper. 10 October 1995. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"ITC Supports Complaints Over Disney Channel". Telecompaper. 29 July 1997. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel Goes "A La Carte"". The Media Leader. 27 February 1998. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel UK Appoints Paul Robinson As MD". Telecompaper. 7 December 1998. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel UK Launches Evening Movie Slot". www. broadcast now.co.uk. 12 February 1999. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel UK's autumn schedule will launch on 1 September with a new graphics package created by French production company Gedeon. The idents, set to roll out to other parts of". Broadcast. 16 July 1999. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney launches new channels". www.campaignlive.co.uk. 13 September 2000. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"CHANNEL FOCUS - The talk of the toon". www.broadcastnow.co.uk. 22 September 2000. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Sky Selects Disney For Interactive Games Service - The Media Leader". 17 August 2004. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
"Disney in £130m deal with Sky as ESPN launches in the UK". Campaign. 27 February 2006.
"Disney Channel timeshift to rejoin Sky EPG". Digital Spy. 7 June 2006.
"Disney lines up for Sky's proposed Picnic". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel's sales team boost". campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Selena Gomez marks Disney Channel HD launch". Digital Spy. 6 July 2011.
"UPC adds 21 new HD channels, including 19 Sky channels - Play". Silicon Republic. 15 August 2012.
"Walt Disney hearing summary" (PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel and Disney Junior UK to start running spot ads". campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Sky and Disney launch pay TV channel". TBI Vision. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Sky Movies Disney: new channel to show UK TV film premieres". The Guardian. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"DisneyLife Streaming Service Launches in the U.K." The Walt Disney Company. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Sky's Now TV intros new kids streaming service". Kidscreen. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"DisneyLife - Watch Disney Movies, TV Box Sets, Listen to Music & More". 9 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"David Levine to leave Disney". KidScreen. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
Kanter, Jake (3 June 2020). "Disney European Kids Chief David Levine Quits After 16 Years". Deadline. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
Kanter, Jake (25 June 2020). "Disney To Close Kids Channels In The UK Following Launch Of Disney+". Deadline. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"DisneyChannelUK - YouTube". www.youtube.com.
"Disney Channel (UK) - Final Closedown - 1 October 2020 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
Mullins, Daniel (1 October 2020). "Disney Channel UK: Virgin Media Feed Shutdown". Archived from the original on 19 December 2021 – via YouTube.
"[Archived Content] TV broadcast licensing monthly updates - Ofcom". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Mavise - Search results". mavise.obs.coe.int. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Sky Cinema Disney To Close This Month". What's On Disney Plus. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Fox to cease UK broadcasts". www.broadbandtvnews.com. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Building 12, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5AN". www.novaloca.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
Barraclough, Leo (17 March 2014). "Disney Greenlights England-set Spooky House Tale 'Evermoor'". Variety. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
Seán Brosnan (24 March 2016). "Disney Channel Series The Lodge Begins Filming in Northern Ireland". IFTN. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
^ Whittock, Jesse. "Disney heads to 101 Dalmatian Street". TBI Vision. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
TV World. Alain-Charles Pub. 1995.
Zahed, Ramin (5 June 2018). "Disney Reveals Magic Touch with 'Sadie Sparks'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
Dowell, Ben (18 August 2008). "Life Bites: Teens get acting break in Disney sketch show". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"Disney Channel's Evermoor filming in UK". www.digitalspy.com. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
"101 Dalmatian Street » Atomic Cartoons Inc". 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2023.

External links

Portals:

Disney Branded Television

Part of The Walt Disney Company

Networks & blocks

Disney Channel

Canada
- English
- French
Central Europe
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
France
Belgium
Germany
Scandinavia
Netherlands
Poland
Eastern Europe
Portugal
Spain
India
Japan
Latin America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Israel

Disney Jr.

Disney XD

Defunct

Disney Channel	Australia and NZ Southeast Asia South Korea Italy Turkey UK and Ireland Russia Ukraine
Disney Jr.	Asia Brazil Hungary Netherlands Australia and NZ Italy Germany UK and Ireland Scandinavia
Disney XD	Africa, MENA, Balkans, and Greece Southeast Asia Australia and NZ India Latin America Italy Spain France and Switzerland Germany UK and Ireland Scandinavia and Baltic Japan
Other	ABC1 Disney Cinemagic Disney Cinema Disney in English Toon Disney Jetix Jetix Play Soapnet

Studios