Disney Junior (Southeast Asian TV channel)
Country | Singapore (until 31 May 2020)
Malaysia (until 31 December 2020) Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand & Vietnam (until 30 September 2021) Taiwan (until 31 December 2021) |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Southeast Asia |
Network | Disney |
Headquarters | Corporate 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) | Chinese Indonesian Tamil Thai English Vietnamese (continuity and bumpers in English) |
Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to 16:9 / 4:3 576i for the SDTV feed) |
Ownership | |
Owner | Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific Disney Branded Television (Disney International Operations) |
Sister channels |
|
History | |
Launched | 24 May 2004[1] 2 April 2004 (in Hong Kong),[2] 8 June 2004 (in Malaysia, Singapore, & Indonesia),[3] 25 January 2005 (in Thailand),[4]
20 June 2005 (in Cambodia),[5] 1 August 2005 (in Vietnam),[6] 14 December 2005 (in Philippines),[7] 11 July 2011 (as Disney Junior in Southeast Asia),[8] 1 September 2011 (Taiwan, block on Disney Channel) | (as Playhouse Disney as a block),
Closed | 1 June 2020Singtel & StarHub) 1 January 2021 (Malaysia, Astro)[9] September 1, 2021 (Now TV feed, Hong Kong) 1 October 2021 (Southeast Asia)[10][11] 31 December 2021 (Taiwan) | (Singapore,
Replaced by | Nick Jr. (Malaysia, Astro & Thailand, TrueVisions) |
Former names | Playhouse Disney (2004–2011) |
Links | |
Website | www |
Availability | |
Disney Junior (formerly known as Playhouse Disney from 2004 to 2011) was a Southeast Asian pay television channel owned by Disney Networks Group Asia Pacific, and The Walt Disney Company Asia-Pacific. Aimed mainly at children between ages two to seven years old,[12] its programming consists of original first-run television series, theatrically-released and made-for-DVD movies and other select third-party programming.
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.
History[]
Channel and block launch[]
Disney Junior Asia began broadcasting on April 2, 2004, in Hong Kong as Playhouse Disney,[2] then the morning block on Disney Channel was launched on May 24, 2004. From June 2004 to December 2005, Disney launched Playhouse Disney in several countries in Southeast Asia.
On June 30, 2011, Laura Wendt, Vice President and Managing Director of Disney Channels Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Korea announced that Playhouse Disney will be rebranded as Disney Junior in Southeast Asia & Hong Kong on July 11, 2011. Laura said that Disney Junior will feature the hallmarks of the Disney brand, story, and character. They'll take classic Disney characters, beloved, through generations, and bring them to life on TV with elements that encourage early childhood learning.[8]
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 using the Disney Channel monicker.
Closure in Singapore[]
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.[13] Select programs from these 3 channels were moved to, replaced by and made available via Disney+ on February 23, 2021.
Closure In Malaysia[]
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 on December 14, 2020, and Disney+ Hotstar in Malaysia on June 1, 2021, while airing PJ Masks.[14]
They were replaced by Nick Jr. and Boomerang which launched on the same date, on the same Astro package (Kids Pack).[15] 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."
This message relayed that both Disney Channel and Disney Junior would not appear again on Astro after the official cessation.[16]
Closure in Asia[]
After 17 years of broadcasting, Disney Junior Asia, Disney Junior Hong Kong, Disney Channel Asia, Disney Channel Hong Kong along with Disney channels and many other Fox channels in Southeast Asia ended their broadcasts in Asia effective October 1, 2021,[10] at exactly 1:00 am (UTC+08:00) and 12:00 am (UTC+07:00).
The last program that aired is the first episode of Mira, Royal Detective (The Case of the Missing Scarf) respectively, before showing a still image containing the logo, and the message "This channel is no longer available, thank you for watching." after the program.[17]
However, Disney Junior shows will be shown instead on Disney+ Hotstar (in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam) and Disney+ (in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines and Singapore) instead.[18][19] Nevertheless, Disney Junior Taiwan block on Disney Channel, along with National Geographic Asia and National Geographic Wild Asia, will continue to operate after this date.[11] But the block ended at New Year's Eve (December 31, 2021).
Final Feeds[]
- Main: Available in Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and Vietnam (excluding and formerly included in Singapore & Malaysia)*
- Hong Kong: Available in Hong Kong and Macau with its own TV schedule. Broadcast language in Cantonese and English.*
- Taiwan: Available in Taiwan with its own TV block on Disney Channel, runs from 6 am to 1 pm (UTC+08:00). Broadcast language in Taiwanese Mandarin and English, it also aired continuities and promos. It ended last December 31, 2021, due to the launch of Disney+ on November 12, 2021.
(*) Ceased operations on October 1, 2021.
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 Mixed-Up Adventures (March 24, 2017 – September 30, 2021)
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (July 17, 2006 – October 1, 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)
- T.O.T.S. (September 21, 2019 – September 29, 2021)
- The Rocketeer (February 17, 2020 – September 29, 2021)
- Vampirina (October 27, 2017 – September 29, 2021)
- The Chicken Squad (July 26–September 28, 2021)
- Spidey and His Amazing Friends (September 11–30, 2021)
- Mickey Mouse Funhouse (September 30, 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
- 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
- Lights, Camera, Lexi!
- 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...
- Shanna's Show
- Small Potatoes
- Snack Down
- Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps
- Tales of Friendship with Winnie the Pooh
- Tasty Time with ZeFronk
- That's Fresh
- The Bite-Sized Adventures of Sam Sandwich
- Toy Story Toons
- Where Is Warehouse Mouse?
- Whisker Haven Tales With the Palace Pets
Acquired[]
- Abby's Amazing Adventures
- Aliens Love Underpants And...
- 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
- Pikwik Pack
- Planet Cosmo
- Sesame Street: Best Friends
- Sesame Street: Super Healthy Monsters
- Simon
- Snowsnaps
- 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)
- Ella the Elephant (2014 – 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 – December 31, 2016)
- 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 (2004–2007)
Other acquired programming[]
- The Adventures of Little Brown Bear (2004–2008)[20]
- Animal Mechanicals (2008–2014)
- Art Attack (2011 – December 31, 2016; June 16–21, 2019)
- Bananas in Pyjamas (2004–2008: Classic series, 2012 – December 31, 2016: Animated revival series)
- Chiro (July 11, 2011 – 2014)
- Chloe's Closet (Series 1) (2010–2012)
- Connie the Cow (2004–2007)
- Danny & Daddy
- Dibo the Gift Dragon (2008 – December 31, 2016)
- Digby Dragon (April 10, 2017 – 2020)
- Dive Olly Dive! (2010–2012)
- Five Minutes More
- Fun Song Factory (CITV series) (2005–2008)
- The Furchester Hotel (September 7, 2015 – 2020)
- Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs (Season 1 only) (2005 – July 8, 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)
- Let's Go Pocoyo (2012–2014)
- Little Robots (US dub) (2006–2007)
- Maya the Bee (January 1, 2014 – 2015)
- The Mighty Jungle (2009–2011)[21]
- Mike the Knight (February 18, 2013[22] – December 31, 2016)
- Play with Me Sesame (2005 – July 8, 2011)
- Pororo the Little Penguin (July 26, 2010[23] – December 31, 2016)
- Rev & Roll (November 25, 2019 – 2020)
- Rob the Robot (November 28, 2011 – 2014)
- The Save-Ums! (2004–2008)
- Tayo the Little Bus (April 23, 2012 – January 1, 2016)
- Zou (September 2012 – December 31, 2016)
Programming originally produced for and aired on PBS Kids[]
- Angelina Ballerina (2004–2007)
- Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (June 21, 2010[24] – 2012)
- 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 (2013–2014)
- Dragon Tales (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 (2006–2009)
- Pocoyo (March 2005 – 2012)
- Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2004–2007)
- Thomas and Friends (2004–2013)
- WordWorld (2008–2015)
Disney Junior Magazine Philippines[]
Disney Junior Magazine Philippines (known as Disney Junior Magazine and formerly known as Playhouse Disney Magazine Philippines) is an educational magazine published in the Philippines by Summit Media in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.
References[]
- ^ "Mouse picks up kidvid series, movies". Variety. Retrieved 15 April 2002.
- ^ a b "Disney, Playhouse hit Hong Kong". Multichannel. Retrieved 3 March 2004.
- ^ "Disney launches Playhouse in Singapore". C21Media.
- ^ "Disney, Playhouse bow in Thailand". Variety. Retrieved 25 January 2005.
- ^ "Disney Channels Swim to Cambodia". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 20 June 2005.
- ^ "Mickey follows Ho Chi Minh trail". C21Media.
- ^ "Mouse opens Philippine Playhouse". Variety. Retrieved 14 December 2005.
- ^ a b "Magical, musical stories on all new Disney Junior". Philstar.com. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Astro's kids offering gets a makeover!". Astro. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b "Disney Group set to close five cable channels in Taiwan - Taipei Times". taipeitimes.com. 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
- ^ "Disney Channels – About Us". Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ "Disney+ Singapore Incoming: Disney Channels dropped from StarHub & Singtel". Asiaone.com. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ MaxDex. "All Disney Channels Closedown (Malaysia & Brunei Feed) - 1 January 2021". YouTube (in en-my).
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Hass, Milad; ARVISH. "Astro refreshes kids pack with two exciting new channels, over 10,000 On-Demand episodes | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
- ^ "Astro's kids entertainment gets a makeover". www.thesundaily.my (in en-MY). Retrieved 2021-10-28.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Bebas, Jenis (1 October 2021). "Disney Junior Southeast Asia Feed Closing/Shut Down". YouTube. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "Disney+Hotstar expected to end 2022 with over 50 million subscribers". Indian Television Dot Com. 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Disney to shut down most of its TV channels in Southeast Asia, eyes growth in streaming services". CNA. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
- ^ https://www.starhub.com/about-us/newsroom/2005/august/25082005_freepreviewofplayhousedisneychannelonstarhubdigitalcable.html
- ^ https://www.awn.com/news/decode-signs-mighty-jungle-deals-disney
- ^ https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/family/newsandevents/2013/01/29/mike-the-knight-joins-disney-junior
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkOiYLR98NE
- ^ 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