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Disney Junior (formerly Playhouse Disney) was a Southeast Asian pay television preschool channel owned by The Walt Disney Company Asia-Pacific.

Aimed mainly at children between ages 2 to 7 years old, its programming consisted of original first-run television series and theatrically released and made-for-DVD movies, as well as other select third-party programming, some of which originally having aired on PBS Kids in the United States.

Disney Junior also lent its name to an early morning program block seen on sister network Disney Channel, branded as Disney Junior on Disney Channel until it discontinued since July 31, 2018, using the Disney Channel moniker. The preschool channel ceased operations at the end of 2021.

History

Negotiations for an Asian version of Playhouse Disney started in January 2000 as a block on Disney Channel. It was first broadcast in Hong Kong and Indonesia as Playhouse Disney on April 2, 2004. From 2004 to 2005, Disney launched Playhouse Disney in several countries in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, the channel was broadcast in English language without the usage of native Tagalog.

On June 30, 2011, Laura Wendt, announced that Playhouse Disney will be rebranded as Disney Junior in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong on July 11, 2011. Laura said that Disney Junior will feature the hallmarks of the Disney brand, story, and character. They will take classic Disney characters, beloved, through generations, and bring them to life on TV with elements that encourage early childhood learning.

Due to increasing localization of the Indian feeds of Disney Channel and Disney XD, they were banned from broadcasting in Bangladesh in 2013. Later, in 2016, the Southeast Asian feeds of the Disney channels, including Disney Junior Asia, became available on certain cable operators in Bangladesh.

On March 1, 2016, Disney Junior changed to its widescreen format in some countries, while launching its high-definition channel.

On July 31, 2018, the Disney Junior on Disney Channel block was discontinued with no explanation given.

Closure

On June 1, 2020, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior ceased transmission in Singapore on both Singtel and StarHub after failing the contract renewal with both service providers in the country. Select programs from these 3 channels were moved to, replaced by and made it available via Disney+ on February 23, 2021.

On August 5, 2020, Disney Junior upgraded to HD on Astro alongside Disney Channel. On January 1, 2021, the channels ceased operations across Astro and Astro-owned TV providers (including NJOI and Kristal-Astro) in Malaysia due to the launch of Astro's Refreshed Kids Pack, while airing PJ Masks, that announced back on December 14, 2020. While its shows moved to Disney+ Hotstar in the said country on June 1, 2021.

After 17 years of broadcasting, Disney Junior Asia, Disney Junior Hong Kong, Disney Channel Asia, Disney Channel Hong Kong along with Fox channels in Southeast Asia have closed on 1 October 2021, at exactly 1:00 am (UTC+08:00)/12:00 am (UTC+07:00), concluding with Mira, Royal Detective.

Most of Disney Junior shows will be shown instead on Disney+ Hotstar and Disney+ depends on its countries. Nevertheless, Disney Junior Taiwan block on Disney Channel, along with the Nat Geo channels, will continue to operate after this date. But the block ended at New Year's Eve (December 31, 2021).

Final Feeds

• Main: Available in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. It was formerly provided in Singapore and Malaysia. It ceased operations on October 1, 2021.
• Hong Kong: Available in Hong Kong with its own schedule differing from the main pan-Asian feed. It broadcast in both Cantonese and English language. Along with the pan-Asian feed, it ceased operations on October 1, 2021.
• Taiwan: Available in Taiwan with its own TV block on Disney Channel, runs from 6 am to 1 pm (UTC+08:00). It broadcast in Taiwanese Mandarin and English, and it also aired continuities and promos. It ceased operations on December 31, 2021, due to the launch of Disney+ on November 12 of that year.

Final programming

Original programming from Disney Junior USA

• Doc McStuffins (July 1, 2012 – September 30, 2021)
• Fancy Nancy (February 14, 2019 – September 29, 2021)
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (July 17, 2006 – October 1, 2021)
• Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (March 24, 2017 – September 30, 2021)
• Mickey Mouse Funhouse (September 30, 2021)
• Mira, Royal Detective (July 3, 2020 – October 1, 2021)*
• Muppet Babies (June 25, 2018 – September 30, 2021)
• Puppy Dog Pals (August 21, 2017 – September 30, 2021)
• Sofia the First (May 1, 2013 – September 30, 2021)
• Spidey and His Amazing Friends (September 11–30, 2021)
• T.O.T.S. (September 21, 2019 – September 29, 2021)
• The Chicken Squad (July 26–September 28, 2021)
• The Rocketeer (February 17, 2020 – September 29, 2021)
• Vampirina (October 27, 2017 – September 29, 2021)

*Last program to air in Southeast Asia

Original programming from Disney Channel

• Elena of Avalor (June 12, 2017 – September 29, 2021)

Acquired programming from Disney Junior USA

• Bluey (August 1, 2020 – September 29, 2021)
• Gigantosaurus (June 3, 2019 – September 29, 2021)
• PJ Masks (August 29, 2016 – September 29, 2021)

Other acquired programming

• Remy & Boo (April 12–September 29, 2021)

Interstitial programming/Shorts (past and present)

Original

• Alphabreaks
• Adventures in Nutrition with Captain Carlos
• Bunnytown Shorts
• Calling all T.O.T.S.
• Can You Teach My Alligator Manners?
• Cars Toons
• Chip 'N Dale's Nutty Tales
• Choo Choo Soul
• Dance-A-Lot Robot
• Dance with Mira
• Disney Animals
• Disney Fairies Shorts
• Disney Junior Lullabies
• Disney Junior Music Nursery Rhymes
• Disney Junior Ready for Preschool
• Disney Poetry Shorts
• Disney Tsum Tsum
• Doc Toy Hospital
• The Doc Files
• DJ Melodies
• DJ Tales
• Feeling Good with JoJo
• Frozen - Olaf A Lots
• Go Baby
• Handy Manny's School for Tools
• Happy Monster Band
• It's UnBungalievable
• Jake's Buccaneer Blast
• Jake's Never Land Pirates School
• Lou and Lou: Safety Patrol
• Mama Hook Knows Best!
• Marvel Super Hero Adventures
• Meet Spidey and His Amazing Friends
• Messages From Miles
• Mickey Go Local
• Mickey Mouse
• Mickey Mousekersize
• Mickey Mouse: Hot Diggity-Dog Tales
• Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Minnie's Bow-Toons
• Mission Force One: Connect and Protect
• Muppet Babies Play Date
• Muppet Babies: Show and Tell
• Muppet Moments
• Nina Needs to Go!
• Oddbods (shorts)
• Ooh, Aah & You
• PJ Masks Music Video
• PJ Masks Shorts
• Playing With Skully
• A Poem Is...
• Quiet Is...
• Snack Down
• Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps
• Tales of Friendship with Winnie the Pooh
• Tasty Time with ZeFronk
• That's Fresh
• Toy Story Toons
• Where Is Warehouse Mouse?
• Whisker Haven Tales With the Palace Pets

Acquired

• Abby's Amazing Adventures
• Aliens Love Underpants And...
• Alphablocks
• Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures
• Big Block SingSong
• Bing
• Chuggington: Badge Quest
• Classic Tales
• Cleo
• Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck
• Dibo Sing-a-Long
• Dino Ranch
• Journey to Ernie
• Kiwi & Strit
• Molang
• Murray Has a Little Lamb
• Mya Go
• Numberblocks
• Numberjacks
• Pikwik Pack
• Planet Cosmo
• Rise Up, Sing Out
• Sesame Street: Best Friends
• Sesame Street: Super Healthy Monsters
• Simon
• Snowsnaps
• Spookley Music Videos
• Sunny Bunnies
• Super Simple Songs
• Tiny Planets
• Toon Bops
• Where's Chicky?
• Wismo's Little Tales
• WonderBalls
• Yummy Toonies
• Yup Yups
• Zoobabu

Former programming

Original programming from Disney Junior USA

• Bear in the Big Blue House (2004–2008)
• The Book of Pooh (2004–2008)
• Bunnytown (2008–2011)
• Goldie & Bear (January 18, 2016 – June 14, 2020)
• Handy Manny (2007–2020)
• Henry Hugglemonster (June 17, 2013 – 2020)
• Higglytown Heroes (2005 – May 1, 2017)
• Imagination Movers (2009 – December 31, 2016)
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates (July 11, 2011 – June 14, 2020)
• Johnny and the Sprites (2007–2014)
• JoJo's Circus (2004 – December 31, 2016)
• Jungle Junction (2010–2019)
• The Lion Guard (April 11, 2016 – September 30, 2020)
• Little Einsteins (2006 – March 14, 2015)
• Miles from Tomorrowland (August 17, 2015 – June 14, 2020)
• My Friends Tigger & Pooh (2008 – July 8, 2011; October 1, 2016 – 2020)
• Out of the Box (2004–2008)
• PB&J Otter (2004–2008)
• Sheriff Callie's Wild West (February 24, 2014 – June 14, 2020)
• Special Agent Oso (2009–2019)
• Stanley (2004–2009)

Acquired programming from Disney Junior USA

• Chuggington (2008 – December 31, 2016)
• Gaspard and Lisa (February 2012 – September 2014)
• Guess How Much I Love You (January 2012 – December 31, 2016)
• The Hive (July 11, 2011–August 2013)
• Kate & Mim-Mim (2015–2019)
• The Koala Brothers (2004–2009)
• Madeline (2004–2007)
• Octonauts (July 11, 2011 – December 31, 2016)
• P. King Duckling (May 29, 2017 – 2019)
• Rolie Polie Olie (2004–2009)
• Timmy Time (May 3, 2009 – 2019)
• The Wiggles (Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles only) (2004–2007)

Acquired programming from Disney Channel

• The Little Mermaid (2004-2008; 2011 - December 31, 2016)

Other acquired programming

• The Adventures of Little Brown Bear (2004–2008)
• Animal Mechanicals (2008–2014)
• Art Attack (September 2011-January 2016; June 16–21, 2019)
• Bananas in Pyjamas (2004–2008: Classic series; 2012 – December 31, 2016: Animated revival series)
• Boo! (2004–2007)
• Chiro (December 2011-September 2013)
• Chloe's Closet (Series 1) (April 5, 2010–July 31, 2012)
• Connie the Cow (2004–2007)
• Danny & Daddy (2005–2009)
• Dibo the Gift Dragon (2008-January 1, 2017)
• Digby Dragon (April 10, 2017 – 2020)
• Dive Olly Dive! (Series 1) (2010-2011)
• Five Minutes More (2007–2011)
• Fun Song Factory (CITV series) (August 2005-February 2008)
• The Furchester Hotel (September 7, 2015 – 2020)
• Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs (Season 1 only) (September 2006-July 2011)
• Hi-5
  • Hi-5 (Series 13) (August 1, 2012–June 30, 2017)
  • Hi-5 House (Series 14-16) (December 9, 2013–December 31, 2018)
  • Hi-5 (Series 17) (November 15, 2017–September 20, 2019)
• Honk, Toot and Swo-Swoosh (2005–2009)
• Let's Go Pocoyo (2012–2014)
• Little Red Tractor (2004–2008)
• Little Robots (US dub) (2006–2007)
• Maya the Bee (January 1, 2014 – 2015)
• The Mighty Jungle (2009–2011)
• Mike the Knight (February 18, 2013 – December 31, 2016)
• Play with Me Sesame (2005 – July 8, 2011)
• Pororo the Little Penguin (July 26, 2010 – December 31, 2016)
• Rev & Roll (November 25, 2019 – 2020)
• Rob the Robot (November 2011-2014)
• The Save-Ums! (2004–2008)
• Strawberry Shortcake (August 1, 2008 – 2010)
• Tayo the Little Bus (April 23, 2012-January 2016)
• Zou (September 2012-September 2013)

Programming originally produced for and aired on PBS Kids

• Angelina Ballerina (2004–2007)
• Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (June 21, 2010 – January 4, 2013)
• Barney and Friends (Seasons 4-12) (2005 – July 8, 2011)
• Bob the Builder (2004–2008, moved to JimJam)
• The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (July 11, 2011 – 2015)
• Clifford the Big Red Dog (2004–2011)
• Clifford's Puppy Days (2005–2008)
• Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (2013–2015)
• Dragon Tales (Seasons 1 and 2) (2004 – May 15, 2009)
• Elmo's World (2005 – December 31, 2016)
• Esme and Roy (August 12, 2019 – 2021, moved to Cartoon Network Asia)
• Global Grover (2006–2011)
• Make Way for Noddy (2005–2010)
• Pocoyo (March 2005 – 2012)
• Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2004–2007)
• Thomas and Friends (Seasons 8-15) (2005–2012)
• WordWorld (2008-2015)

Disney Junior Magazine Philippines

Disney Junior Magazine Philippines (known as Disney Junior Magazine and formerly known as Playhouse Disney Magazine Philippines) was an educational magazine published in the Philippines by Summit Media in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.

References

1. "Disney Channels – About Us". Retrieved 26 April 2020.
2. Osborne, Magz (5 April 2004). "Mouse net gets Asia bows". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
3. "Disney, Playhouse hit Hong Kong". Multichannel. 3 March 2004. Retrieved 3 March 2004.
4. "Disney readies bow". Variety. 8 March 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
5. "Playhouse gets dedicated Philippines feed". C21media. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
6. "Disney launches Playhouse in Singapore". C21media. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
7. "Disney adds Malaysia to Playhouse mix". C21media. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
8. "Playhouse Disney Channel Launches in Brunei". Animation World Network. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
9. "Magical, musical stories on all new Disney Junior". Philstar.com. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
10. "Disney+ Singapore Incoming: Disney Channels dropped from StarHub & Singtel". Asiaone.com. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
11. MaxDex. "All Disney Channels Closedown (Malaysia & Brunei Feed) - 1 January 2021". YouTube.
12. Multiple sources:
    • Frater, Patrick (27 April 2021). "Disney Slashes Linear TV in Asia With 18-Channel Closure, Shifts Focus to Disney Plus". Variety. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
    • Kanter, Jake (27 April 2021). "Disney Closes 18 Asia TV Channels As It Shifts Focus To Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
    • Lai, Adrian (29 April 2021). "Disney To Shut Down 18 Channels In Southeast Asia". IGN. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
13. "Disney to shut down most of its TV channels in Southeast Asia, eyes growth in streaming services". CNA. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
14. Bebas, Jenis (1 October 2021). "Disney Junior Southeast Asia Feed Closing/Shut Down". YouTube. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
15. "Disney+Hotstar expected to end 2022 with over 50 million subscribers". Indian Television Dot Com. 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
16. "Disney Group set to close five cable channels in Taiwan - Taipei Times". taipeitimes.com. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
17. https://www.starhub.com/about-us/newsroom/2005/august/25082005_freepreviewofplayhousedisneychannelonstarhubdigitalcable.html
18. https://www.awn.com/news/decode-signs-mighty-jungle-deals-disney
19. https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/family/newsandevents/2013/01/29/mike-the-knight-joins-disney-junior
20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkOiYLR98NE
21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr3HHR5HwMA
22. https://www.crafty-crafted.com/announcement/contest-playhouse-disney-goodies-up-for-grabs/

• Disney Junior
• Children's television channels in the Asia Pacific
• Commercial-free television networks
• Television programming blocks in Asia
• Television channels and stations established in 2004
• Television channels and stations disestablished in 2021
• Mass media in Southeast Asia
• English-language television stations