Disney Junior

This article is about the programming block that airs in the United States. For the same network or programming block in other countries, see Disney Junior around the world.

Disney Junior
Launched	February 14, 2011 (block) February 2012 (channel)
Owned by	Disney-ABC Television Group (The Walt Disney Company)
Picture format	480i (SDTV) 720p (HDTV)
Slogan	Where the Magic Begins
Country	United States
Language	English
Headquarters	Burbank, California
Formerly called	Playhouse Disney (block) SOAPnet (channel)
Sister channel(s)	Disney Channel Disney XD ABC Family
Website	http://www.disneyjunior.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV	Channel 290 (East) Channel 291 (West)
Dish Network	Channel 172 (East) Channel 173 (West)

Disney Junior is a current program block on Disney Channel and an upcoming American basic cable and satellite television network intended to replace SOAPnet in February 2012.^[1] It began airing on February 14, 2011, replacing Playhouse Disney.

The first new programs were Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Tinga Tinga Tales and Babar and the Adventures of Badou. Carrying over from Playhouse Disney were Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, Jungle Junction, Chuggington, Imagination Movers, Special Agent Oso, and Timmy Time.

History

In May 2010, it was announced that Playhouse Disney and SOAPnet will rebrand as Disney Junior.^[2]

Disney Junior first launched as a programming block on February 14, 2011, replacing Playhouse Disney. The first program was Jake and the Never Land Pirates. In its first week since its debut, Disney Junior delivered Disney Channel’s best ratings ever in the daypart among Kids 2-5 (474,000/2.8 rating).

Separate channel

A 24-hour basic cable and satellite channel for Disney Junior will launch in February 2012.^[3] It will replace the woman-targeted soap opera channel, SOAPnet. The channel was originally set to debut in Jaunary 2012, but got pushed to spring 2012,^[4] but as of September 2011, it got pushed again to February 2012.

The channel is expecting its original series (Jake and the Never Land Pirates, 3rd & Bird, etc.), shows from the Playhouse Disney library (that are currently airing on the block) (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, etc.), movies appropriate for very younger viewers (Cars, Finding Nemo, Dumbo, etc.) and short-form series in its lineup. On June 17, 2011, it has been comfirmed that the Disney Junior channel will include "old-school" Playhouse Disney series in its lineup when the channel launches.^[5] Examples for "old-school" Playhouse Disney series include Stanley, Higglytown Heroes, Bear in the Big Blue House, and JoJo's Circus.

When the channel launches, it will also provide affiliate partners with a robust video-on-demand offering, a high-definition network (marketed as Disney Junior HD) and a Spanish language SAP feed.^[6][7]

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Disney Junior

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Chuggington, Imagination Movers, Jungle Junction, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, Special Agent Oso and Timmy Time, all popular Playhouse Disney series, were moved to the block and continue to broadcast.

Disney Junior broadcasts from September until late May from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm ET (5:00 am to 1:00 pm CT) on weekdays, and from 6:00 am to 9:00 am ET, (5:00 am to 8:00 am CT) on weekends and also during major holidays (Christmas, Easter, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day) and also 6:00 am to 10:00 am ET (5:00 am to 9:00 am CT) on weekdays from late May (post-Memorial Day through Labor Day), each running a different schedule. They feature 25-minute standard length shows, interspersed with short 5 minute shorts and music videos. Between these times, there are no commercials played during Disney Junior (though Disney Channel, being a commercial-free cable channel, does not air regular commercials anyway), though short "promotional spots" do run every so often, such as often seen on PBS. Between 4:00 and 6:00, when Disney Channel animated programs air under the regular Disney Channel branding, there are commercials for Disney properties as there are for other Disney Channel programs.

The 1997-2007 shows on the former 1997-2011 Playhouse Disney block will air reruns by popular demand on the Disney Junior channel in its launch on February 2012, replacing SOAPnet.

Related services

Disney Junior HD

Logo for Disney Junior HD in 2012.

Disney Junior HD will be a high definition simulcast feed, broadcasting a moderate amount of Disney Junior's programming in 720p HD. It will begin broadcasting in February 2012. Many cable providers will carry the HD simulcast feed, along with DirecTV, AT&T U-verse and Verizon FIOS. Currently, Dish Network does not carry the Disney/ABC Cable Networks' HD simulcast channels due to a retransmission consent dispute with the Walt Disney Company, so it will probably not carry the channel.

HD versions of Disney Junior had already launched in Canada, Asia , France and The Netherlands. Currently, Disney Junior HD appears to be a block on the HD feed version on Disney Channel.

Disney Junior On Demand

Disney Junior On Demand is the video-on-demand service, which offers select episodes of Disney Junior's original series. It is available to most digital cable and IPTV providers.

Logo variations

The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse variant of the Disney Junior logo.

In addition to revealing the Disney Junior logo, other variations were released as well, most shows that air on Disney Junior have their own variation of the logo, with the standard "Disney" written in Walt Disney's famous handwriting and a large chunky font displaying "Junior" with each letter designed from an aspect or character from that particular show.

• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse The 'J' is dressed similarly to Goofy, the 'u' dressed similarly to Minnie Mouse, 'n' - Pluto, 'i' - Mickey Mouse, 'o' - Donald Duck, 'r' - Daisy Duck.
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates The "J" represents a treasure map, the "u" depicts Bucky, the "n" represents a treasure chest the "i" represents Jake, the "o" depicts Bucky's wheel and the "r" represents Skully.
• Handy Manny The 'J' is designed to resemble Dusty the anthropomorphic saw, the 'u' resembles Felipe (Manny's anthropomorphic Phillips-head screwdriver), the 'n' resembles Turner (flat-head screwdriver), the 'i' resembles Manny himself, the 'o' resembles Rusty (Monkey wrench), "r" resembles Pat (hammer).
• Special Agent Oso The 'J' resembles Oso's paw, the 'u' resembles Oso's wrist communicator, the 'n' is decorated with the main colors of Oso (yellow and teal), the 'i' looks like Oso himself, the 'o' resembles Oso's "Paw-Pilot", and the 'r' resembles Oso's vest.
• Jungle Junction The 'J' resembles Hippobus, the 'u' resembles Zooter, the 'n' resembles Taxicrab, the 'i' resembles Bungo, the 'o' resembles Ellyvan, the 'r' resembles Crocker.
• Imagination Movers The 'J' resembles an arrow, the 'u' resembles a guitar, the 'n' resembles a brick wall, the 'i' resembles Dave (one of the movers), the 'o' resembles a gear, and the 'r' resembles Warehouse Mouse. Many times while this variation of the logo is airing the 'i' will flip while changing to each mover (Scott, Rich, Dave and Smitty).
• Little Einsteins The "J" represents Annie, the "u" depicts Rocket, the "n" represents June, the "i" represents Leo with his head as the dot for the i, the "o" depicts a drum and the "r" represents Quincy. The logo is surrounded by musical notes.
• Chuggington The "J" depicts a track, the "u" represents Emery, the "n" resembles Brewster, the "i" is designed like Wilson, the "o" depicts Koko and the "r" represents Vee.
• Higglytown Heroes The "J" represents Eubie, the "u" depicts Wayne, the "n" represents Twinkle, the "i" represents Kip with his head as the dot for the i, the "o" depicts a blue pattern (Kip's pants) and the "r" represents Fran. This logo is not used in the USA, only internationally.
• Timmy Time First revealed on the Timmy Time homepage on Disney Junior Australia's website. The "J" represents Ruffy, the "u" depicts Otus, the "n" represents Mittens, the "i" represents Timmy, the "o" depicts Paxton and the "r" represents Yabba.
• Babar and the Adventures of Badou The 'J' represents Chiku, the 'u' depicts Munroe, the 'n' represents Badou, the 'i' represents Babar with his head as the dot for the i, the 'o' depicts Celeste and the 'r' represents Crocodylus.
• Art Attack Recently revealed in a promo for the show on this channel. The whole logo with Mickey's head as the dot for the i (except the Disney text) is white, with coloured splats on it. This logo is only used in the UK.
• Mater's Tall Tales The "J" represents a hot rod, the "u" depicts Mater, the "n" represents Sally, the "i" was made to look like Lightning McQueen, the "o" depicts a tire and the "r" represents like Red.
• 101 Dalmatians Each letter is decorated white with black spots, resembling a Dalmatian Dog, while the 'i' is a dog complete with a head, ears, and collar. While this one has actually aired on a promo for Disney Junior, Disney did reveal it as a variation. The animated TV show known as 101 Dalmatians may air Fridays at 4:00 AM, which also aired on Toon Disney in the past, but has been discontinued after only four airings.
• Winnie the Pooh The "J" represents Owl, the "u" depicts Winnie's honey, the "n" represents Tigger, the "i" represents Piglet, the "o" depicts Pooh and the "r" represents Eeyore.
• Octonauts The "J" represents a submarine, the "u" depicts the GUP-E, the "n" represents Kwazii, the "i" represents Barnacles, the "o" depicts Peso and the "r" is decorated as the GUP-A.

International versions

• In the United States, Disney Junior on Disney Channel launched on February 14, 2011. The channel, which will replace SOAPnet, will launch in February 2012.
• In Latin America, Disney Junior and Disney Junior on Disney Channel launched on April 1, 2011.
• In the Arab World, Disney Junior launched on May 5, 2011.
• In Canada, Disney Junior and Disney Junior (Canadian English TV channel) launched on May 6, 2011, which replaced Playhouse Disney Canada.
• In the UK & Ireland, Disney Junior launched on May 7, 2011, which replaced Playhouse Disney (UK & Ireland).
• In Italy, Disney Junior launched on May 14, 2011.
• In France, Disney Junior launched on May 28, 2011.
• In Australia & New Zealand, Disney Junior launched on May 29, 2011 which replaced Playhouse Disney (Australia and New Zealand).^[8]
• In Brazil, Disney Junior launched on April 9, 2011 and May 31, 2011.
• In Portugal, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011.
• In Turkey, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011.
• In South Africa, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011.
• In Hungary, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011.
• In Poland, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011.
• In Czech Republic, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011.
• In Romania, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011. The channel replaced both Playhouse Disney block and Jetix Play.
• In Bulgaria, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011.
• In Greece, Disney Junior launched on June 1, 2011.
• In India, Disney Junior launched on July 4, 2011.
• In Austria and Germany Disney Junior launched on July 14, 2011.
• In Japan, Disney Junior (ディズニージュニア, Dizunī Junia^?) launched on July 3, 2011.
• In Asia, Disney Junior launched on July 11, 2011 which replaced Playhouse Disney Asia.
• In Southeast Asia, Disney Junior launched on July 11, 2011.
• In Taiwan, Disney Junior launched in September 1, 2011 as a block on Disney Channel.
• In Israel, Disney Junior launched on July 18, 2011.
• In Scandinavia/Nordic, Disney Junior launched on September 10, 2011 and replaced Playhouse Disney Scandinavia.
• In China, Disney Junior (迪斯尼兒童, Dísīní Értóng) will launch on February 6, 2013.
• In South Korea, Disney Junior launched on July 11, 2011 as a channel and as a block on Disney Channel.
• In Zimbabwe, Disney Junior will launch on April 29, 2013. (Being the last to switch)
• In Hong Kong, Disney Junior launched on July 11, 2011 as a channel and as a block on Disney Channel
• In the Philippines, Disney Junior launched on July 11, 2011 as a channel and as a block on TV5. & Australia Network
• In Vietnam, Disney Junior launched on July 11, 2011 as a channel and as a block on Disney Channel
• In Belgium, Disney Junior launched on September 1, 2011.
• In Netherlands, Disney Junior launched on September 10, 2011.
• In Russia, Disney Junior will launch in 2012.

All versions of Disney Junior serve as the replacement of Playhouse Disney.

References

1. ^ Disney Junior acing frosh year, Variety, September 26, 2011
2. ^ Disney/ABC Television Group Announces Disney Junior, a New 24-Hour Channel for Preschoolers and Their Families, The Futon Critic, May 26, 2010
3. ^ Disney Junior acing frosh year, Variety, September 26, 2011
4. ^ SOAPnet to stay on the air longer into the New Year!, Michael Fairman Soaps, July 28, 2011,
5. ^ http://www.dealiciousmom.com/24-hour-disney-junior-channel-coming-in-2012/
6. ^ http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10038450.asp
7. ^ http://thedisneyblog.com/2010/05/27/disney-junior-to-replace-soapnet-in-cable-lineup/
8. ^ "Disney to launch Junior channel". 'Tim Addington'. http://www.bandt.com.au/news/disney-to-launch-junior-channel. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 

External links

• Official website