Family Jr.
![]() | |
Country | Canada |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Nationwide |
Network | Family |
Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
Ownership | |
Owner | WildBrain |
Sister channels | Family Channel Télémagino Family Chrgd |
History | |
Launched | November 30, 2007 |
Former names | Playhouse Disney Channel (2007–2011) Disney Junior (2011–2015) |
Links | |
Website | familyjr |
Availability | |
Cable | |
Available on most cable systems | Channel slots vary on each provider |
Satellite | |
Bell TV | Channel 549 (SD) |
Shaw Direct | Channels 538 / 167 (SD) Channel 74 / 574 (HD) |
IPTV | |
Bell Aliant | Channel 259 (SD) Channel 504 (HD) |
Bell Fibe TV | Channel 549 (SD) Channel 1549 (HD) |
Bell MTS | Channel 158 (SD) |
SaskTel | Channel 133 (SD) Channel 433 (HD) |
Telus Optik TV | Channel 603 (HD East) Channel 9603 (SD West) |
VMedia | Channel 68 (SD) |
Zazeen | Channel 138 (SD) |
RiverTV | Channel 25 (HD) |
Family Jr. is a multiplex channel of the Canadian specialty channel Family Channel. Launched on November 30, 2007, it broadcasts programming aimed at preschool-aged children.
The channel previously operated under Disney's preschool television brands, including Playhouse Disney and later Disney Junior, but adopted the Family Jr. brand in 2015 following the acquisition of Canadian rights to Disney Junior by Corus Entertainment (who relaunched its own Canadian version as a separate service).
Along with its French-language counterpart, Télémagino, it is available in over 4 million Canadian households as of 2013.[1] As it is a multiplex channel of Family Channel, the service is distributed at no additional charge to its subscribers.
History[]
As Playhouse Disney and Disney Junior[]
The channel originally launched as Playhouse Disney on November 30, 2007; as Family is licensed as a premium service which allows for the addition of multiplex channels that are consistent with the network's licence (which dictates that it provide a service with programming aimed at youth aged 17 and younger), no additional licence was required to launch the service, and the channel would be offered at no additional charge to television providers who already carry Family Channel.
A French-language version, originally known as Playhouse Disney Télé, was launched on July 5, 2010. Unlike the English version, it operates under a separate Category B license.[2]
On May 6, 2011, the networks were re-launched under Disney's new preschool television brand Disney Junior.[3]
Following the sale of Astral Media to Bell Media, the two Disney Junior services and their sister networks were put up for sale to relieve concerns over Bell's market share following the merger. On November 28, 2013, DHX Media announced it would acquire the two Disney Junior services and their sister networks for $170 million, pending CRTC approval.[4][5] On July 24, 2014, the CRTC approved DHX's purchase of the networks,[6][7] and the deal was closed on July 31, 2014.[8][9]
As Family Jr.[]
On April 16, 2015, it was announced that Corus Entertainment had acquired rights to Disney's children's television library and brands, succeeding a previous license agreement with DHX. Corus stated that following the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel, it would re-launch Disney's other linear children's television brands in Canada in the future. In anticipation for this transition, DHX concurrently announced that its Disney-branded networks would be re-branded as spin-offs of Family Channel; Disney Junior was re-branded as Family Jr. on September 18, 2015. On December 1, 2015, Corus launched a replacement Disney Junior-branded channel.[10][11][12][13][14]
Programming[]
![]() | This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2017) |
Current programming[]
Canadian productions[]
- Bob the Builder (December 5, 2015–present)[15]
- Caillou (February 5, 2018–present)
- Chip and Potato (October 15, 2018–present)
- Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (September 4, 2017–present)[16]
- Dinotrux (September 16, 2017–present)[17]
- Elias: Rescue Team Adventures (July 3, 2017–present)[18][19]
- Justin Time (September 16, 2012–present)[20][21][22]
- Kate & Mim-Mim (September 5, 2015–present)[23]
- Kody Kapow (May 14, 2018–present)
- Little People (March 14, 2016–present)[24]
- Mack & Moxy (June 9, 2018–present)
- Mighty Mike (April 1, 2019–present)
- Pajanimals (September 4, 2017–present)
- Playdate (October 3, 2015–present)[25]
- Polly Pocket (July 8, 2018–present)
- Rainbow Ruby (April 23, 2016–present)[26][27]
- Rev & Roll (September 2, 2019–present)[28]
- Space Ranger Roger (January 9, 2017–present)[29]
Acquired programming[]
- ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks (June 18, 2017–present)[30]
- Care Bears: Unlock the Magic (October 7, 2019 – present)[31]
- Curious George (September 18, 2015–present)[32]
- Dog Loves Books (2020-present)
- DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders (August 7, 2021–present)[33]
- Grizzy and the Lemmings (March 24, 2018–present)
- Go Jetters (March 1, 2021-present)[34]
- Hey Duggee (November 2, 2020-present)[35]
- In the Night Garden... (April 11, 2016–present)
- Madagascar: A Little Wild (January 9, 2021-present)[36]
- Messy Goes to Okido (April 9, 2016–present)[37]
- Noddy, Toyland Detective (May 15, 2017–present)[38]
- Norman Picklestripes (September 19, 2020 – present)[39]
- Sunny Bunnies (July 2, 2018–present)
- Teletubbies (December 19, 2015–present)[40]
- Topsy and Tim (September 5, 2015–present)
- Twirlywoos (September 5, 2015–present)
Upcoming programming[]
Acquired programming[]
Former programming[]
- Bananas in Pyjamas (February 19, 2013–February 2017)
- Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot (March 2010 – June 30, 2012)
- Franny's Feet (November 30, 2007 – February 4, 2018)[41]
- Gerald McBoing-Boing (November 30, 2007 – July 31, 2011)[42]
- Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs (November 30, 2007 – August 28, 2014)[citation needed]
- Henry's World (November 30, 2007 – September 27, 2013)
- Julius Jr. (May 2, 2015 – June 29, 2018)
- Katie and Orbie (November 30, 2007 – December 31, 2012)
- King (November 30, 2007-2008)
- Lalaloopsy (September 27, 2014 – August 28, 2016)
- Nature Cat (July 1, 2016 – July 1, 2019)
- Out of the Box (November 30, 2007 – August 31, 2014)
- The Save-Ums! (May 24, 2015 – September 1, 2018)[43]
- The Secret World of Benjamin Bear (November 30, 2007 – August 30, 2015)
- Sarah & Duck (July 7, 2014 – September 1, 2019)[44][45]
- Stella and Sam (January 9, 2011 – September 1, 2016)
- Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures (2010–2020)[46]
- Super Why! (November 7, 2016–2020)[47]
- Thomas & Friends (May 24, 2015 – August 31, 2018)[48]
- Tickety Toc (April 23, 2012 – July 30, 2018)
- Waybuloo (April 16, 2016 – September 1, 2018)
- Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! (2009-June 30, 2015)
- YaYa and Zouk (July 4, 2016 – September 1, 2019)
- Yo Gabba Gabba! (September 5, 2015 – September 1, 2019)
- Yup Yups (September 16, 2013–2018)
Playhouse Disney, Disney Junior and Disney Channel programming[]
- Bear in the Big Blue House (November 30, 2007 – September 30, 2013)
- Bunnytown (November 30, 2007 – 2012)
- Doc McStuffins (April 8, 2012 – August 30, 2015)
- DuckTales (October 2011–September 30, 2013)
- Handy Manny (November 30, 2007 – August 7, 2014)
- Henry Hugglemonster (April 21, 2013 – January 1, 2016)
- Higglytown Heroes (November 30, 2007 – September 30, 2013)
- Imagination Movers (2008–August 30, 2015)
- Johnny and the Sprites (November 30, 2007 – September 2, 2012)
- JoJo's Circus (November 30, 2007 – September 1, 2013)
- Jungle Junction (January 23, 2010–August 30, 2015)
- Jake and the Never Land Pirates (May 2, 2011 – December 1, 2015)
- The Little Mermaid (November 30, 2007 – August 31, 2014)[49]
- Little Einsteins (November 30, 2007 – January 1, 2016)
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (November 30, 2007 – September 17, 2015)
- Miles from Tomorrowland (February 21–August 30, 2015)
- My Friends Tigger & Pooh (November 30, 2007-2010)
- Sheriff Callie's Wild West (February 2, 2014 – December 1, 2015)
- Special Agent Oso (2009–January 1, 2016)
- Sofia the First (January 19, 2013 – August 31, 2015)
- Stanley (November 30, 2007 – September 27, 2013)
Related services[]
Family Jr. HD[]
On May 1, 2013, a high definition simulcast of Family Jr.'s (as Disney Junior) standard definition feed was launched. It is available on Eastlink, Rogers Cable, Shaw Direct, and Telus Optik TV.
Family Jr. On Demand[]
Family Jr. On Demand is a video on demand service featuring programming from Family Jr, available to subscribers of Family and Family Jr. (as Disney Junior) launched its own On Demand channel on May 6, 2011.[50]
Family Jr. Go[]
Family Jr. Go is a service available on the App Store and Google Play Store. It is available to television customers of Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct. It shows new and old episodes of Family Jr. programming and is part of the Family app.
References[]
- ^ "Family Channel | Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD Available on Free Preview in March". Newswire.ca. March 1, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
- ^ "Broadcasting Decision 2006–98". CRTC. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ Disney/ABC Television Group Announces Disney Junior, a New 24-Hour Channel for Preschoolers and Their Families, The Futon Critic, May 26, 2010
- ^ "DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ "DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ "DHX Media receives CRTC approval on $170M acquisition of Family Channel and three other children's channels". DHX Media. July 24, 2014. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ Vessing, Etan (July 24, 2014). "DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes". Canada Newswire. July 31, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
- ^ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-388". CRTC. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
- ^ "Changes to Kids Channels". VMedia. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- ^ "Changes to our youth programming". Videotron. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- ^ "DHX TELEVISION'S REBRANDED FAMILY JR. AND TÉLÉMAGINO NETWORKS REVEALED TODAY" (Press release). DHX Media. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- ^ "DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done". Cartt.ca. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Bob the Builder". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood–FamilyJr.ca". Family Jr. DHX Media. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ "Dinotrux–FamilyJr.ca". Family Jr. DHX Media. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ Family Jr. [@FamilyJr_TV] (July 2, 2017). "Don't miss the premiere of Elias: Rescue Team Adventures tomorrow at 4:50pm ET!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Elias: Rescue Team Adventures". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Astral's Disney Junior to premiere Justin Time". Kidscreen.com. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Justin Time" Check
|url=
value (help). FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018. - ^ "Justin Time–Distribution & Sales–Guru Studio". Gurustudio.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Kate & Mim-Mim". Familyjr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Little People". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "FAMILY JR. SETS A PLAYDATE FOR OCTOBER 3–DHX Media". Dhxmedia.com. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Rainbow Ruby". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Rainbow Ruby set for Canadian premiere". Kidscreen.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ "DHX, Alpha Group get revved up for new series". Kidscreen. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ "Space Ranger Roger". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks–FamilyJr.ca". Family Jr. DHX Media. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ https://www.familyjr.ca/shows/care-bears-unlock-the-magic/
- ^ "Curious George". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Dragons: Rescue Riders". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ https://www.familyjr.ca/shows/go-jetters/
- ^ https://www.tvpassport.com/tv-listings/stations/family-jr/5330/2020-11-02
- ^ https://www.familyjr.ca/
- ^ "Messy Goes to OKIDO". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Noddy, Toyland Detective". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Norman Picklestripes". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ "Teletubbies". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Franny's Feet". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20101217091059/http://www.playhousedisney.ca/en/shows/gerald-mcboing-boing
- ^ "The Save-Ums!". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ Sarah & Duck [@Sarah_and_Duck] (July 7, 2014). "We're really excited to be on in Canada on @DisneyJuniorCA! Let us know if you saw us for the first time today!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Sarah and Duck". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures Reaches Disney Jr Canada • ToonBarn". ToonBarn. January 10, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ "Super WHY!". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Thomas & Friends". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Family Jr. On Demand". FamilyJr.Ca. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
External links[]
- WildBrain
- Preschool education television networks
- Television channels and stations established in 2007
- 2007 establishments in Canada
- Children's television networks in Canada
- English-language television stations in Canada
- Commercial-free television networks