Disney Junior (Southeast Asian TV channel)

Disney Junior
Broadcast area	Singapore; (until 31 May 2020); Malaysia; (until 31 December 2020); South Korea; (until 30 June 2011); Rest of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and parts of Oceania; (until 30 September 2021); Taiwan; (block; until 31 December 2021);
Headquarters	1 Fusionopolis View, #06-01 Sandcrawler Building, Singapore 138577
Programming
Language(s)	English; Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin); Malaysian; Indonesian; Thai; Vietnamese (Voice-over);
Picture format	HDTV 1080i; (downscaled to 480i/576i for the SDTV feed); ;
Ownership
Owner	The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Sister channels	Disney Channel; Disney XD (closed);
History
Founded	2000 (as a programming block on Disney Channel)
Launched	2 April 2004; 20 years ago (first broadcast in Hong Kong and Indonesia); 11 July 2011; 12 years ago (as Disney Junior);
Closed	1 June 2020; 3 years ago (Singapore); 1 January 2021; 3 years ago (Malaysia); 1 October 2021; 2 years ago (Pan-Asian feed and Hong Kong); 31 December 2021; 2 years ago (Taiwan);
Replaced by	Disney+ (Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan; de facto); Disney+ Hotstar (Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand; de facto);
Former names	Playhouse Disney (2000–2011)

Disney Junior was a Southeast Asian pay television preschool channel owned by The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. Aimed mainly at children between ages 2 to 7 years old.^[1]^[2] 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.

Launched in 2004 as Playhouse Disney, 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 31 July 2018. The preschool channel ceased operations at the end of 2021.

History edit

Launch edit

Negotiations for an Asian version of Playhouse Disney started in 2000 as a block on Disney Channel.^[3] It later launched as a channel for Hong Kong and Indonesia on 2 April 2004.^[4]^[5] From 2004 to 2005, it expanded in several Southeast Asian countries.^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11] In the Philippines, the channel was broadcast in English instead of Filipino.

On 11 July 2011, Playhouse Disney later rebranded as Disney Junior.^[12]

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.

Closure edit

On 1 June 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.^[13] Select programs from these 3 channels were moved to, replaced by and made it available via Disney+ on 23 February 2021.

On 5 August 2020, Disney Junior upgraded to HD on Astro alongside Disney Channel. On 1 January 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 that announced back on 14 December 2020. While its shows moved to Disney+ Hotstar in the said country on 1 June 2021.

After 17 years of broadcasting, Disney Junior, along with Disney Channel, and most of its Fox channels in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong ceased on 1 October 2021,^[14]^[15] at exactly 1:00 am (UTC+08:00)/12:00 am (UTC+07:00), concluding with Mira, Royal Detective,^[16] thus the channel space originally created by Playhouse Disney Channel in 2004 folded and ceased to exist.

Most Disney Junior shows will be shown instead on Disney+ Hotstar and Disney+ on selected territories. Nevertheless, the Disney Junior Taiwan block on Disney Channel will continue to operate after this date. But the block ended on New Year's Eve (31 December 2021).

Programming edit

Final Programming edit

Original Programming edit

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)

Acquired programming from Disney Channel edit

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

Acquired programming from Disney Junior USA edit

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 edit

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

Former Programming edit

Original programming edit

Bear in the Big Blue House (2004–2008)
The Book of Pooh (2004–2008)
Bunnytown (2008–July 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 – December 31, 2016)
Miles from Tomorrowland (August 17, 2015 – June 14, 2020)
My Friends Tigger & Pooh (2008 – July 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 edit

Charlie and Lola (2005 - December 31, 2016)
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 Bleep Show (2006-2013)
The Wiggles (Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles only) (2004–2007)

Acquired programming from Disney Channel edit

Donald Duck Present (2014-2015)
The Little Mermaid (2004–2008; 2011 - December 31, 2016)
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (2004–2007)

Programming from PBS Kids edit

Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (June 21, 2010 – January 4, 2013)
Barney and Friends (Seasons 4-12) (2005 – July 10, 2011)
Bob the Builder (2004–2008)
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)
Global Grover (2006–2011)
Make Way for Noddy (2005–2010)
Pocoyo (2007–2012)
Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2004–2007)
Thomas and Friends (Seasons 8-15) (2005–2012)
WordWorld (2008–2015)

Other acquired programming edit

The Adventures of Little Brown Bear (2004–2008)
Animal Mechanicals (2008–2014)
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 (2005–2007)
Dibo the Gift Dragon (2008–January 1, 2017)
Digby Dragon (April 10, 2017 – 2020)
Dive Olly Dive! (Series 1) (2010–2011)
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) (2006-July 2011)
Hi-5 (Series 13 and 17) (August 1, 2012–June 30, 2017; November 15, 2017–September 20, 2019)
Hi-5 House (December 9, 2013–December 31, 2018)
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-June 2014)
Rubbaddubers (2005-2009, moved to JimJam)
Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave (September 7, 2015–December 31, 2016)
The Save-Ums! (2004–2008)
Strawberry Shortcake (2003 series) (August 1, 2008 – 2010)
Tayo the Little Bus (April 23, 2012-January 2016)
Zou (September 2012–September 2013)

Final Feeds edit

Throughout the expansion, it was owned and operated by the former Walt Disney Television International.


Broadcast feed	Availiability	Launched	Type	Broadcast language(s)	Closed/replaced	Replaced by
Pan-Asian	Indonesia	2 April 2004 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)	Television channel	English, Indonesian, Malay (former), Thai, Vietnamese (voice over),	1 October 2021	Disney+ Hotstar
	Singapore	15 May 2004 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)			1 June 2020	Disney+
	Malaysia	3 July 2004 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)			1 January 2021	Disney+ Hotstar
	Brunei	August 2004 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)			1 January 2021	—
	Thailand	January 2005 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)			1 October 2021	Disney+ Hotstar
	VIetnam	May 2005 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)				—
	Cambodia	20 June 2005 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)				—
	Philippines	December 2005 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)				Disney+
	Papua New Guinea	11 July 2011				—
	Myanmar	11 July 2011				—
	Bangladesh	2016				—
	muliple Asian markets	January 2000 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)	Programming block on Disney Channel	multiple	31 July 2018	—
Hong Kong		2 April 2004 (Playhouse Disney); 11 July 2011 (Disney Junior)	Television channel	Cantonese, English	1 October 2021	Disney+
Taiwan		2004 (Playhouse Disney); 1 September 2011 (Disney Junior)	Programming block on Disney Channel (Taiwan)	Taiwanese Mandarin, English	31 December 2021	Disney+

Disney Junior Magazine Philippines edit

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 edit

^ "Disney Channels – About Us". Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
^ Toh, Christopher (24 September 2014). "Don't dumb down children's shows". Today Online. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
^ Osborne, Magz (5 April 2004). "Mouse net gets Asia bows". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2022. Playhouse Disney was initially launched in Asia back in 2000 as a program block on the flagship Disney Channel
^ "Disney, Playhouse hit Hong Kong". Multichannel. 3 March 2004. Retrieved 3 March 2004.
^ "Disney readies bow". Variety. 8 March 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
^ Waller, Ed (5 May 2004). "Disney launches Playhouse in Singapore". C21Media. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
^ Davidson, Jenny (2 July 2004). "Disney adds Malaysia to Playhouse mix". C21Media. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
^ Baisley, Sarah (30 August 2004). "Playhouse Disney Channel Launches in Brunei". Animation World Network. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
^ Ball, Ryan (20 June 2005). "Disney Channels Swim to Cambodia". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
^ Whiteman, Bobbie (17 May 2005). "Vietnam tunes in Disney TV". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
^ "Playhouse gets dedicated Philippines feed". C21media. 12 December 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
^ "Magical, musical stories on all new Disney Junior". Philstar.com. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
^ "Disney+ Singapore Incoming: Disney Channels dropped from StarHub & Singtel". Asiaone.com. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
^
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.
^ "Disney to shut down most of its TV channels in Southeast Asia, eyes growth in streaming services". CNA. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
^ Bebas, Jenis (1 October 2021). "Disney Junior Southeast Asia Feed Closing/Shut Down". YouTube. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

[press-1] "Disney Channels – About Us". Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2020.

[2] Toh, Christopher (24 September 2014). "Don't dumb down children's shows". Today Online. Retrieved 26 December 2023.

[3] Osborne, Magz (5 April 2004). "Mouse net gets Asia bows". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2022. Playhouse Disney was initially launched in Asia back in 2000 as a program block on the flagship Disney Channel

[Disney,_Playhouse_hit_Hong_Kong-4] "Disney, Playhouse hit Hong Kong". Multichannel. 3 March 2004. Retrieved 3 March 2004.

[5] "Disney readies bow". Variety. 8 March 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2022.

[6] Waller, Ed (5 May 2004). "Disney launches Playhouse in Singapore". C21Media. Retrieved 8 December 2022.

[7] Davidson, Jenny (2 July 2004). "Disney adds Malaysia to Playhouse mix". C21Media. Retrieved 8 December 2022.

[8] Baisley, Sarah (30 August 2004). "Playhouse Disney Channel Launches in Brunei". Animation World Network. Retrieved 8 December 2022.

[9] Ball, Ryan (20 June 2005). "Disney Channels Swim to Cambodia". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 16 December 2022.

[10] Whiteman, Bobbie (17 May 2005). "Vietnam tunes in Disney TV". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2022.

[11] "Playhouse gets dedicated Philippines feed". C21media. 12 December 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2022.

[Disney_Junior_launch-12] "Magical, musical stories on all new Disney Junior". Philstar.com. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

[13] "Disney+ Singapore Incoming: Disney Channels dropped from StarHub & Singtel". Asiaone.com. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.

[SEAShutdownBundle-14] 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.

[15] 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.

[16] 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.

[17] 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.

[15] "Disney to shut down most of its TV channels in Southeast Asia, eyes growth in streaming services". CNA. Retrieved 5 May 2021.

[16] Bebas, Jenis (1 October 2021). "Disney Junior Southeast Asia Feed Closing/Shut Down". YouTube. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

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Programming
Broadcast area	Singapore (until 31 May 2020) Malaysia (until 31 December 2020) South Korea (until 30 June 2011) Rest of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and parts of Oceania (until 30 September 2021) Taiwan (block; until 31 December 2021)
Headquarters	1 Fusionopolis View, #06-01 Sandcrawler Building, Singapore 138577
Language(s)	English Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin) Malaysian Indonesian Thai Vietnamese (Voice-over)
Picture format	HDTV 1080i (downscaled to 480i/576i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
Owner	The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Sister channels	Disney Channel Disney XD (closed)
History
Founded	2000 (as a programming block on Disney Channel)
Launched	2 April 2004; 20 years ago (2004-04-02) (first broadcast in Hong Kong and Indonesia) 11 July 2011; 12 years ago (2011-07-11) (as Disney Junior)
Closed	1 June 2020; 3 years ago (2020-06-01) (Singapore) 1 January 2021; 3 years ago (2021-01-01) (Malaysia) 1 October 2021; 2 years ago (2021-10-01) (Pan-Asian feed and Hong Kong) 31 December 2021; 2 years ago (2021-12-31) (Taiwan)
Replaced by	Disney+ (Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan; de facto) Disney+ Hotstar (Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand; de facto)
Former names	Playhouse Disney (2000–2011)