Disney Junior (British and Irish TV channel; 2023 Revival)

This article is about Disney Junior in the UK and Ireland. For the original American version, see Disney Junior. For other international versions, see List of Disney Junior TV channels.
Disney Junior is a British and Irish pay television kids channel that is owned by Disney–ABC Television Group and focuses on preschool programming. It was launched on 29 September 2000 as Playhouse Disney and eventually rebranded itself as Disney Junior on 7 May 2011. It later ceased broadcasting on 30 September 2020 before being relaunched exactly 3 years later on the same day it first closed.
== History ==
=== Early History ===
During the rebrand of Disney Channel in 1997, a block titled "Disney Channel Underfives" was added, featuring programming aimed towards a young audience. On September 28, 1999, it was rebranded as Playhouse Disney (thus expanding the Playhouse Disney brand outside the US) with the introduction of live presentation.
=== Launch as a dedicated channel ===
On September 29, 2000, Disney Television International launched Playhouse Disney as a standalone channel alongside Toon Disney and Disney Channel +1 on the Sky Digital platform. Since the channel was exclusive to Sky Digital at this time, the Playhouse Disney block continued to broadcast on Disney Channel during school-term weekdays. Playhouse Disney was later launched on NTL and Telewest in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The Playhouse Disney block later reduced its hours of programming featured and was eventually disposed of in July 2004.
=== Transition to standard network ===
On 28 February 2006, Disney Media Networks and BSkyB announced that Playhouse Disney, in addition to its sister channel Disney Channel would cease as premium add-ons and transition to basic TV packages such as Sky's "Kids Mix" beginning on March 16th, and that a new sister channel - Disney Cinemagic would take over Disney's premium offerings, replacing Toon Disney. The transition of Playhouse to a basic network led to a significant broadcast share increase of 83% by July.
In June 2006, a Playhouse Disney block was added to the morning schedule of ABC1. It was removed after Disney ceased transmission of ABC1 in September 2007. ABC1's slot itself on Sky would be used to launch a 25-minute timeshift of Playhouse Disney in October 2007.
=== Disney Junior Rebrand ===
On 29 January 2011, it was announced that Playhouse Disney would rebrand as Disney Junior on 7 May, as part of a worldwide rebranding. On the date of the rebrand, the channel transitioned to airing in a 16:9 widescreen ratio. On 21 February 2013, Sky and Disney Channels Worldwide announced that a high-definition simulcast of Disney Junior would launch on Sky in May.
In September 2017, Disney XD +1 was turned into a pop-up channel titled Mickey and Pals, which aired various programming from Disney Junior.
=== Closure ===
Disney Junior, along with its sister channels Disney XD and Disney Channel, closed in the UK on 30 September 2020, after 20 years on-air, due to Disney failing to reach a new carriage deal with Sky and Virgin Media. The closure was previously announced on 25 June that year. All of the channels' content were transferred to Disney's streaming service, Disney+. The final programme to be broadcast before it ceased operations was Gigantosaurus (specifically the episodes "The Floating Stone/The Light in the Storm"). It then showed a selection of promos and advertisements and a music video from Vampirina.
Following a good morning song on the channel, it was officially shut down after cutting to a still image featuring Mickey Mouse in his Roadster Racer getup holding a trophy, alongside Animal (as his Muppet Babies form) and Vee from Vampirina. Virgin Media removed the channels a day before their closure on 29 September, with CBBC and CBeebies taking over the network's former Sky EPG slots on 1 October.
=== 2023 Relaunch ===
Following complaints from parents that Disney+ wasn't getting new episodes of shows on the same day that they were shown in other countries (specifically the United States) which was promised in a recent YouTube video talking about an update to the app, the company caved into demands to bring all three channels back to UK televsion in July 2023 with the relaunch set to happen in September of the same year. The channel officially came back on the air at 6am on 30 September 2023 and the first programme shown was a 2-hour marathon of Bluey.
== Presentation and Presenters ==
Live presenters have been on Disney Junior since the channel's relaunch in 2023. They are used to fill the gaps between some of the shows that air on the channel (usually those that air as part of a programming block) by speaking directly to the child, leading activities based on a topic from the website or a certain programme, showing viewers' birthday cards and introducing the shows as well as hosting some of the shows (these links are often recorded instead of broadcast live) with most of them having history as hosts on their biggest competitors, CBBC and CBeebies. The following is a list of the presenters that have been featured on the channel:
=== Current Presenters ===
* George Webster
* Jacob Salaman
* Luke Nile
* Nina (Michele Lepe)
* Rhys Stephenson
* Richie Driss
* Sarah-Lee Mitchells
If the hosts are not needed, then there would be commercials inbetween each programme followed by a bumper (accompanied by a voiceover and music) letting viewers know which show is on next with a character from the show in question standing and/or moving about on a floating Mickey Mouse head.
== Programming ==
Main article: List of programmes broadcast by Disney Junior
=== Stranded Segments ===
In the UK, the Disney Junior channel uses stranded segments throughout the day. These include:
==== Mickey Mornings with Jacob, Rhys and Richie ====
* This block first launched on October 2, 2023 and airs every weekday morning from 6-9am. It helps viewers wake up and get ready for the day ahead by leading them in a series of excersises/dances, games, crafts, songs as well as airing some of the channels more energetic shows. The block is hosted by Mickey Mouse himself (via pre-recorded video) as well as Jacob Salaman, Rhys Stephenson and Richie Driss in a studio dubbed by the three human presenters as the "Disney Junior Playroom". At the end of the block, the three of them would always play a game called the "Morning Mix-Up" where they had to race against each other to see who could clean up their side of the "Playroom" the fastest with the person who took the longest out of all three of them getting a bucket of "scrambled eggs" dumped on their head (in reality, the eggs are actually just a mixture of yellow and white coloured gunge) before they all wave goodbye to the viewers and the channel resumes their programming as usual.
==== The Food Truck ====
* This block first launched on October 2, 2023 and airs every weekday afternoon from 12-1pm. It is often regarded as the "Lunchtime Block" and mostly airs food-oriented programmes ike Alice's Wonderland Bakery and My World Kitchen but it would also include episodes from other popular shows on the channel such as Firebuds and Mira, Royal Detective.
==== Film Fridays ====
* This block first launched on October 6, 2023 and airs every Friday afternoon from 4-6pm (like the Food Truck block, it isn't hosted by any of the presenters). The block is often used to just air a random movie from the Disney library though it sometimes features specials from various Disney Junior shows during the holidays (usually Halloween or Christmas-themed). The first film to be shown on the block was Encanto which was celebrating its UK television premiere.
==== The Goodnight Show with Nina & George ====
* This block first launched on October 2, 2023 and airs every evening from 7-9pm. It helps viewers get ready for bedtime by doing the same things that Mickey Mornings would do but in a calmer and softer manner (excluding the "Morning Mix-Up" game and they'd also replace the faster-paced excersises with slower and more relaxed yoga routines). The block is hosted by George Webster and Nina (played by Michele Lepe), plus it is also the only block that the two host (excluding the 1-hour block hosted by the former on the weekend). At the end of the block (in a reference to Michele's previous role as the host of a show of a similar name in the United States), the two say goodnight to their pet fish, Hush, before reciting a poem that helps them make a special "Night-Time Wish". Once the wish has been made, Nina sings a slower version of the "Good Night Song" that is usually sung by both her and George at the start of the block before she falls asleep on the "Playroom" sofa and the block ends.
=== Weekend Segments ===
During the weekend, the channel presents a series of 3 short 1-hour programming blocks each themed after three of the presenters, their favourite colour and their biggest interest. The three coloured room sections ran from 4-7pm and included:
* Luke and Richie's Hero Hour (Red Room), with programmes such as Firebuds, PJ Masks, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, SuperKitties, The Chicken Squad and Doc McStuffins
* George and Jacob's Make, Play and Discover Hour (Blue Room), with programmes such as Eureka!, Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Alice's Wonderland Bakery, Muppet Babies, Move & Groove with Rhys and Imagination Movers
* Sarah-Lee's Furry Friends Hour (Yellow Room), with programmes such as Special Agent Oso, Bluey, T.O.T.S., Puppy Dog Pals, Dino Ranch and Bear in the Big Blue House
== See Also ==
* Disney Channel (British and Irish TV channel)
* Disney XD (British and Irish TV channel)
Category:Disney television channels in the United Kingdom
Category:Children's television channels in the United Kingdom
Category:Television programming blocks in Europe
Category:Television channels and stations established in 2000
Category:1999 establishments in Ireland
Category:1999 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Disney Junior
__FORCETOC__
__NOEDITSECTION__
__INDEX__
__NONEWSECTIONLINK__