Disney Channel (Australian TV channel)

Disney Channel (originally called The Disney Channel from 1996 to 1997) was an Australian pay television channel. It was the flagship television property owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company in Australia. Launched in 1996, the network targeted towards children and their families, with original series and movies.

Disney Channel
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaAustralia
New Zealand (2003–19)
Papua New Guinea
Fiji
Tuvalu
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format576i (SDTV 16:9)
Ownership
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company (Australia)
Disney Channel Worldwide
(Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International)
Sister channelsDisney Junior (2005–20)
Disney XD (2014–19)
History
Launched8 June 1996 (1996-06-08)[1]
Closed30 April 2020 (2020-04-30)
Former namesThe Disney Channel (1996–97)

The network's programming consisted of original animated and live action television series sourced from Disney Channel in the United States, including their original made-for-cable movies, as well as screenings of Disney's theatrical releases and other acquired programming.

The network closed in New Zealand on 30 November 2019 on Sky, and in Australia on 1 March 2020 on Foxtel. It was discontinued on 30 April 2020 on Fetch TV.

History

Disney Channel was first broadcast by Optus on 8 June 1996; the first program scheduled was the television premiere of Aladdin.[1] It became available though Austar on 1 April 2001,[2] through Foxtel on 1 December 2001,[3][4] and through TransTV on 21 January 2002.[5] It was formerly available on SelecTV from September 2008 until the closure of its English service in late 2010.[6][7] The network launched on New Zealand's pay television network, SKY Network Television, on 24 December 2003.[8]

Disney launched the Playhouse Disney channel in Australia and New Zealand on 5 December 2005, which later rebranded as Disney Junior in 2011.[9][10] An additional network named Disney XD launched on 10 April 2014, featuring programming targeted towards boys aged 6–14.[11] Disney XD ceased broadcasting on 6 January 2019, with a selection of programming moving to Disney Channel thereafter, including Star Wars Resistance and various Marvel animations.[12] With Disney XD being integrated into the main channel, the service would now contain fewer advertisement breaks.[13]

In August 2016, Disney Channel Australia hosted its third local "FanFest" event, at Martin Place in Sydney.[14] The network organised a concert featuring US singer Sabrina Carpenter, which was hosted by the Australian network's personalities, and live streamed on the website.[14] General manager of the network, Leisa Sadler, noted the importance of brand activation through having a physical event for fans to connect with, and appreciated the opportunity to promote the channel's local programming.[14] More than 2,000 people attended the event and over 3,000 watched online.[14] Previous "FanFest" events featured personalities Bridgit Mendler and Ross Lynch.[14]

After indications that Disney Channel and Disney Junior would close in early 2020 due to the launch of Disney+ and expiring contracts, Foxtel advised that negotiations with Disney were continuing to keep broadcasting the networks.[15] However, Sky confirmed that both channels would close in New Zealand from 30 November 2019.[16][17] Foxtel confirmed that the channels would be leaving their service at the end of February 2020, and on Fetch TV at the end of April 2020.[18][19]

Programming

Disney Channel's programming schedule mainly consists of live action sitcoms and animated series for children, sourced from Disney Channel in the United States. Titles airing in the 2000s included Hannah Montana, Kim Possible, Lizzie McGuire, Lilo & Stitch: The Series and Sabrina.[8][20] Programs broadcast by the network in the 2010s have included Andi Mack, Austin & Ally, Big Hero 6: The Series, Girl Meets World, K.C. Undercover and Raven's Home.[21][22][23][24]

Disney Channel's schedule also includes internationally produced series acquired by Disney Channel Worldwide, including Hotel Transylvania: The Series, Rolling with the Ronks! and The ZhuZhus.[22][25][26] In January 2017, Disney Channel acquired the license to air the local Australian series Grace Beside Me, a co-production between NITV and ABC, which premiered in March 2019.[27][28]

The network airs event broadcasts of Disney's theatrical releases, with Pixar films including A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., and animated classics such as Aladdin and The Emperor's New Groove.[1][8][23] Also featured are Disney Channel's original made-for-cable movies, including the High School Musical and Descendants franchises.[20][23]

Disney Channel Australia has also commissioned and produced several of its own scripted drama series, including a local version of As the Bell Rings, and original miniseries Mind Over Maddie.[20][29][30] In 2013, the network debuted a local short-form series titled Hanging With, which takes the form of an afternoon variety show, featuring hosts who act as the faces of the channel and present programming news and other entertainment segments.[23] In 2019, the network produced a short-form miniseries entitled Spread the Word, which explores words from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.[31][32] Other local programming has included Backstage Pass and Radio Disney Insider.[14][33]

Programs that moved to the network after the closure of Disney XD in 2019 included Big City Greens, DuckTales, Gravity Falls, Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, Star Wars Resistance and various Marvel animations including Marvel's Avengers Assemble and Marvel's Spider-Man.[12]

Sister channels

Disney Junior
Main article: Disney Junior (Australian TV channel)

Disney Junior was a 24-hour Australian cable and satellite channel available on local platforms. It launched on 5 December 2005 as Playhouse Disney and rebranded on 29 May 2011 as Disney Junior, with programming targeted towards children aged 2–7.[10][9] It ceased transmission along with Disney Channel on 30 April 2020.

Disney XD
Main article: Disney XD (Australian and New Zealand TV channel)

Disney XD was a 24-hour Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel. It launched on 10 April 2014. All of the programs targeted boys aged 6–14.[11] The network ceased broadcasting on 6 January 2019.[12]

See also

References
  1. Elder, Bruce (2 June 1996). "Disney to the rescue". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Nine Entertainment Co. p. 1. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2009. The Disney Channel, which kicks off with the TV premiere of Aladdin at 6.30 pm on Saturday, June 8
  2. "News on the Hour". Illawarra Mercury. Illawarra, Australia. 17 March 2000. p. 55. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  3. "Hitting Disney heights". TV Plus. The Sunday Mail. 16 December 2001. p. T35.
  4. "Package Updates". Foxtel. 2001. Archived from the original on 14 December 2001. Retrieved 1 December 2009. You'll be able to enjoy a world of fun and adventure, with Disney Channel coming to FOXTEL for the first time! Disney Channel becomes part of our Entertainment Plus package, moving TCM from Entertainment Plus into the Movies package.
  5. "Transact to screen 24-hour Disney films, animation, on its 12th channel". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australia. 20 January 2002. p. 10.
  6. Shoebridge, Neil (15 September 2008). "WIN's on to a winner as SelecTV ups service". The Australian Financial Review. p. 16. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  7. Chessell, James (20 August 2010). "Bruce Gordon's SelecTV to make changes". City Beat. The Australian. Archived from the original on 5 January 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  8. "Sky To Launch Three New Channels". Scoop. Scoop Media. 19 September 2003. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  9. Alarcon, Camille (1 December 2005). "Disney makes new friends". B & T Weekly. 54 (2546): 23. ISSN 1325-9210. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  10. Knox, David (25 May 2011). "Playhouse Disney rebrands as Disney Junior from Sunday". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  11. Knox, David (24 February 2014). "Disney Movies, Disney XD join Foxtel". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  12. Nik (1 December 2018). "Disney XD is closing" (Press release). Foxtel. Archived from the original on 5 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  13. "Sky to offer Disney programmes in one channel". Telecompaper. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  14. Joshi, Kruti (12 August 2016). "Disney fans swarm to Martin Place for FanFest". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  15. Perry, Kevin (5 October 2019). "Foxtel prepared for life without Disney Channels". TV Blackbox. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  16. Keall, Chris (5 October 2019). "Sky renews Sevens deal to 2023, loses Disney channels". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  17. Ramsey, Teresa (22 November 2019). "Sky's Disney channels to close". Stuff. Stuff Limited. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  18. Blackiston, Hannah (5 February 2020). "Disney pulls channels from Foxtel". Mumbrella. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  19. Perry, Kevin (6 February 2020). "Exclusive – Disney channels to be removed from Fetch TV after Foxtel walkout". TVBlackBox. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  20. "As the Bell Rings". Girl.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  21. "Big Hero 6 The Series To Air In Australia". Heavy Mag. 30 January 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  22. Spark, Mikala (29 May 2017). "Foxtel Kids App June Highlights" (PDF). Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  23. "The Walt Disney Company". Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA). Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  24. Knox, David (21 September 2017). "Airdate: Raven's Home". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  25. Berkenblit, Laura; Lim, April; McTeague, Michelle (29 August 2016). "Nelvana and Disney Channels Worldwide Sign Multi-Territory Broadcast Deal for New Animated Series Polly and the ZhuZhu Pets". Corus Entertainment Inc. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  26. Vlessing, Etan (20 June 2016). "Hotel Transylvania TV Series Headed to Disney Channels Worldwide". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  27. Knox, David (19 January 2017). "NITV announces first local drama". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  28. Knox, David (18 July 2017). "Cameras roll on Grace Beside Me for NITV". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  29. "Australian Television: Mind Over Maddie". Australian Television Information Archive. 28 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  30. "Disney Channel Australia". The Screen Guide. Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  31. Dickson, Jeremy (5 July 2019). "Disney Australia orders Indigenous language series". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  32. "Disney Channel partners with Media Farm on Indigenous language series". Mumbrella. 8 July 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  33. Milton, Ashleigh (26 May 2013). "Naomi swaps Disney for a starring role in new video". St. George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
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