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Disney Channel (Southeast Asian TV channel)

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This article is about Disney Channel in Asia. For Disney Channel in the United States, see Disney Channel. For other international channels, see Disney Branded Television.

Disney Channel Asia
2019 Disney Channel logo.svg
Southeast Asian logo used from February 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021
CountrySingapore (until 31 May 2020)
Malaysia (until 31 December 2020)
Philippines
Thailand
Indonesia
Vietnam
Cambodia
Palau
Myanmar
Bangladesh (until 30 September 2021)
Taiwan (until 31 December 2021)
Broadcast areaDefunct
HeadquartersCorporate office: 1 #06-01 Sandcrawler, Fusionopolis View, Singapore 138577
Studios and production facility: 4 Loyang Ln #01-01/02 and #02-01/02., Singapore 508914
Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Programming
Language(s)English
Mandarin
Thai
Japanese
Malay (Selected programs)
Tamil
Indonesian
Cantonese
Vietnamese (Captions/Subtitles)
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 480i/576i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerDisney Branded Television
(Disney International Operations)
Sister channels
History
Launched29 March 1995; 26 years ago (1995-03-29) (Taiwan)
1 September 1996; 25 years ago (1996-09-01) (Indonesia & Thailand)
October 1996; 25 years ago (1996-10) (Malaysia)[1]
1998; 24 years ago (1998) (Philippines)
4 January 2000; 22 years ago (2000-01-04) (Singapore)
May 2005; 16 years ago (2005-05) (Vietnam)
Closed1 June 2020; 19 months ago (2020-06-01) (Singapore)[2]
1 January 2021; 12 months ago (2021-01-01) (Malaysia)[3]
1 September 2021; 4 months ago (2021-09-01) (Now TV feed, Hong Kong)
September 26, 2021; 3 months ago (2021-09-26) (TransVision Feed, Indonesia)
1 October 2021; 3 months ago (2021-10-01) (Southeast Asia & Hong Kong)[4][5]
1 January 2022; 22 days ago (2022-01-01) (Taiwan)
Links
Websitedisney.asia
Availability Closed

Disney Channel (originally called The Disney Channel from 1996 to 1997) was a pan-Asian pay television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company (Asia Pacific), a unit of the Disney International Operations division of The Walt Disney Company.

Disney Channel Asia's programming consists of original first-run television series, theatrically released and original made-for-cable movies and select other third-party programming. The channel's programming was aimed at pre-teens and adolescents ages 7–17, while its Disney Junior programs were targeted at younger children, although certain programs were aimed at audiences of all ages, reaching over 80 million pay TV subscribers in the region.

History

Launch

Disney Channel Asia was launched in January 2000 with a single video feed and two audio tracks in English and Mandarin, as well as subtitles in Mandarin. The channel became available in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines.[6] On 1 June 2002, the channel was launched in the South Korean market with a Korean language feed.[7] Over the first six months of 2005, Disney Channel Asia, along with sister channel Playhouse Disney (now Disney Junior) was launched in Vietnam, Palau and Thailand. It finished off with a launch of both in Cambodia, its 11th market, with Cambodia Entertainment Production Co. Ltd. as distributor.[8]

After the ban of Disney Channel India and Disney XD India in Bangladesh due to broadcasting in Hindi language and heavy localization of the Indian feeds, Disney Channel Asia was made available on selected digital cable platforms there in 2016. Due to the shutdown of the channel, Disney International HD India started broadcasting as a replacement.

On 1 September 2020, Disney Channel in Indonesia was separated from the main feed, due to the launch of Disney+ Hotstar on 5 September 2020.

Closure

Singapore

Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior ceased transmission in Singapore on 1 June 2020 after failing to renew their contracts, on both Singtel and StarHub, despite causing COVID-19 to disrupt employees.[2] It's content was replaced with Disney+ on 23 February 2021.

Malaysia

On 1 January 2021, Disney Channel and Disney Junior ceased transmission in Malaysia on Astro due to the TV provider's Refreshed Kids Pack while airing the movie Bolt at midnight.

The cessation message put characters, including those from Tom and Jerry, and Dora, in both Disney Channel and Disney Junior's channel slots delivering this message: "This channel is no longer available. Enjoy the refreshed Kids Pack with new channels Boomerang (CH 619) and Nick Jr. (CH 617) on TV & 10,000 episodes demand. We also have FAMtv (CH 100), a brand new pop-up channel."

Disney's content was replaced instead on Disney+ Hotstar in Malaysia on 1 June 2021.[9]

Asia

On 1 October 2021, Disney Channel and Disney Junior along with 16 Fox channels (except National Geographic Asia and National Geographic Wild Asia) ended its broadcast in the rest of Asia; and Hong Kong at exactly at 01:00 am (UTC+08:00)/12:00 am (UTC+07:00).[4] to focus on Disney+ Hotstar (or Disney+ in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines and Singapore).[10][11] The last 2 programs aired is Season 2 of Star vs. the Forces of Evil (Southeast Asia)[12] and Bao (Hong Kong),[13] before showing a still image, containing the logo and the message "This channel is no longer available, thank you for watching." after both programs.

Both have similar versions, one with the Southeast Asian version, with the 2020 "Item Age" background);[12] and one in Hong Kong with Chinese (本頻道將不再提供服務感謝您長期支持與收看; pinyin: Běn píndào jiāng bù zài tígōng fúwù gǎnxiè nín chángqí zhīchí yú shōukàn) and English messages, and the 2017 "Social Media" background.[13]

However, Disney Channel in Taiwan will continue to operate,[14] until its cessation on New Year's Day (1 January 2022),[15][16] after airing the movie, Den Brother (at 10:32 pm), and a short episode of Big Hero 6 (at 11:57 pm), which will appear the same still image, but with the Chinese version (本頻道將不再提供服務感謝您長期支持與收看; pinyin: Běn píndào jiāng bù zài tígōng fúwù gǎnxiè nín chángqí zhīchí yú shōukàn; lit.: This channel is no longer available, thank you for watching.), and the "Social Media" background, at exactly 12:00 am (UTC+08:00).[17]

Before the closure, it appeared an on-screen message on December 31, 2021, which says, "迪士尼頻道將於12/31 24:00終止服務，由衷感謝各位觀眾長期以來的愛護與支持"。(pinyin: Díshìní píndào jiāng yú 12/31 24:00 Zhōngzhǐ fúwù, yóuzhōng gǎnxiè gèwèi guānzhòng chángqí yǐlái de àihù yǔ zhīchí; lit. The Disney Channel will cease operations at December 31, 24:00. We sincerely thank all viewers for their long-term love and support.) This means that the channel will shut down permanently on the said date.[18]

This is when many Disney staff were impacted by the closure, the company has come up with a new staffing structure, and unfortunately, we know of some impending departures including Singapore-based marketing head Daniel Tan, Asia-Pacific head of marketing for studio marketing Shoba Martin and Tom Batchelor. It is unclear if they were let go as part of the restructuring as they understand that numerous Disney folks have been let go.

Batchelor previously held the positions of VP of studio operations, theatrical and Disney+ content localization and live entertainment, and Asia-Pacific VP music Southeast Asia. Disney has yet to disclose how many people will be leaving the company as a result of the closure.

Going forward, Fox Network Group content executive Michael Dick is now put in charge of D2C acquisition for the region as well as channels for Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Andy Baek has been tipped as head of media networks for Indonesia/Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, with a dual role in the direct-to-consumer programming business and Karan Paul, who is currently head of the business transformation has been named head of D2C business operations.[19]

Leaving the countries Philippines and Vietnam which no longer have access on Disney's content, temporarily, until the launch of Disney+ Hotstar on 2022.

HD channel

On 1 May 2015, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia launched a high-definition simulcast feed of Disney Channel in the Philippines, available on SkyCable and Destiny Cable distributed by ACCION in that country. Just like its SD counterpart, the HD simulcast of the channel airs the same shows shown in the SD feed. The HD feed was also launched on TrueVisions in Thailand on 7 July 2016 as an exclusive for cable subscribers, and on Astro in Malaysia on 15 November 2019 for satellite subscribers. The HD channels also ceased transmission on 1 October 2021.

Presentation and logos

With the launch of the channel in 1996, Disney Channel Asia adopted the UK network's presentation designed by Lambie-Nairn. It then used the splat logo in 1997 with the opening of Disney Channel France. Later in 1999, Disney Channel Asia began to use the "Circles" presentation package until July 2003, when the US logo (and design package by CA Square) as the "Bounce" graphics, it became the channel's on-air presentation format, then later rebranded using the "Ribbon" graphics from 2007 until 2011. Two more redesigns were made in 2012, then on August 1, 2014, with the current wordmark logo.

Disney Channel Asia started using parts of the US "Social Media" rebrand from 1 December 2017 and rebranded fully on 1 January 2018 at 6 am. As of 2020, it has also used elements of the US "Item Age" graphics, while Hong Kong & Taiwan keep it's old branding before the shutdown.

Final feeds

Singapore

The schedule was similar to the main feed, plus local advertisements. Some programming was replaced by sitcoms. This feed ceased operations on 1 June 2020, after failing to renew their contracts on both StarHub & Singtel[2] due to the launch of Disney+ on 23 February 2021.

Malaysia and Brunei

Same schedule as the Asia feed, plus local advertisements. It was available in four languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. This channel was only available on Astro in Malaysia and Kristal-Astro in Brunei. Because of Astro's Refreshed Kids Pack on 14 December 2020 and the arrival of Disney+ Hotstar, Disney Channel, along with Disney Junior, they will not be available on Astro and Astro-owned TV providers (including NJOI and Kristal-Astro). Therefore, there's the only impact that The Walt Disney Company will be shutting down Disney XD in Southeast Asia on the same date and time by following the review of Disney's business in this region, just before Astro has already confirmed with this statement before Astro shutting down both Disney Channel and Disney Junior on the same date and time. However, The Walt Disney Company didn't announce that Astro will be shutting down Disney Channel and Disney Junior on New Year's Day 2021 at midnight. This feed ceased operations on 1 January 2021[3] along with Disney Junior and Disney XD, on Astro due to the TV provider's Refreshed Kids Pack and the launch of Disney+ Hotstar on 1 June 2021.[20]

Asia

The main feed was available in Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Myanmar, and Cambodia. It was available in the Middle East until the region got their own feed in 1997.

This feed stopped airing movies and started sharing the same schedule with the Indonesian feed on 1 February 2021. This feed officially ceased all operations on 1 October 2021.

Indonesia

The schedule was very similar to the main feed, with the exclusions of movies at launch. It was separated from the main feed from 1 September 2020 due to the launch of Disney+ Hotstar on 5 September 2020.

This feed later started sharing the same schedule with the main feed on 1 February 2021. There are also Disney+ Hotstar idents on this feed. The channel completely closed last October 1, 2021, leaving the streaming platform behind.

Philippines

Began in 1998, it has it's same schedule as the Asia feed, plus local advertisements. The channel ceased operations on October 1, 2021,[21] due to the preparation for the launch of Disney+ Hotstar planned by early-2022.

Vietnam

Launched in May 2005. A one-hour time-shifted version of the main Asia feed with local advertisements, Vietnamese translations in promos, and subtitles. The channel ceased operations on October 1, 2021 due to the preparations launch of Disney+ Hotstar planned in mid-2022.

Hong Kong

Launched last April 2, 2004. The schedule of this feed was shared with the Taiwan feed and was separated from the main feed on 2 April 2004. It was broadcast in English and Cantonese languages. The channel ceased operations on October 1, 2021 due to the launch of Disney+ on 16 November 2021.

Taiwan

It was the first overseas feed launched by Disney Channel worldwide. It began operations in March 29, 1995.[8] Currently, it has its own schedule with local advertisements and broadcasts in English and Taiwanese Mandarin.[22] The feed ceased operations on January 1, 2022 after 26 years of broadcasting, due to the launch of Disney+ on 12 November 2021.[15][16]

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by Disney Channel (Asian TV channel)

References

  1. ^ "A Salute to Disney Channel: International: Vive de Mickey". Kidscreen. 1 April 1998. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Baroness, The (1 June 2020). "Disney+ Singapore Incoming: Disney Channels Dropped From Starhub & Singtel". Geek Culture (in American English). Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Astro Will Discontinue Disney Channel In December 2021 So Watch Your Favourite, Nostalgic Shows Quick!". Astro. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b Multiple sources:
  5. ^ "Disney Group set to close five cable channels in Taiwan". Taipei Times. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Disney Channel comes to Manila". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. 4 January 2000. p. 24. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  7. ^ Godfrey, Leigh (30 May 2002). "Disney Channel Asia Launches In Korea". Animation World Network. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Disney launches two channels in Cambodia". Indiantelevision.com. Mumbai. 20 June 2005. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  9. ^ Frater, Patrick (3 May 2021). "Disney Plus Hotstar to Launch in Malaysia With Local Content Component". Variety. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Disney+Hotstar expected to end 2021 with over 50 million subscribers". Indian Television Dot Com. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "Disney to shut down most of its TV channels in Southeast Asia, eyes growth in streaming services". CNA. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  12. ^ a b San Pedro, Jan Lawrence (1 October 2021). "DISNEY CHANNEL ASIA FINAL SIGN OFF [01-OCTOBER 2021]". YouTube (in en-ph). Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  13. ^ a b "DISNEY CHANNEL HONG KONG SHUTDOWN FOOTAGE (10/01/2021)香港迪士尼頻道關台 頻道錄像（2021年10月1日）". YouTube. Asia: H CZ. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Disney Group set to close five cable channels in Taiwan - Taipei Times". taipeitimes.com. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  15. ^ a b Strong, Matthew (27 August 2021). "Disney Channel ends after 26 years in Taiwan to make way for Disney+". Taiwan News. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Disney Channel To Close In Taiwan Following Disney+ Launch". What's On Disney Plus (in American English). 27 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  17. ^ "20220101 台灣迪士尼頻道收播". YouTube (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Taiwan. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Disney Channel Taiwan SHUTTING DOWN ON-SCREEN MESSAGE (12/31/2021)台灣迪士尼頻道關台訊息（12月31日）". YouTube (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 31 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  19. ^ Zaid, A'bidah (27 April 2021). "Disney Shutting Down 18 Cable Channels in Southeast Asia And Hong Kong From 1 October 2021". Geek Culture. Retrieved 24 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Disney+ Hotstar comes to Malaysia on June 1, RM54.90 for three months". The Malay Mail. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Disney and Fox Channels End of Broadcast". Sky PH. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  22. ^ "台灣迪士尼官方網站" (in Chinese). 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.

External links

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