 Final logo used from 2018 to 30 April 2020 | |
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area |
|
| Headquarters | Richmond, Victoria |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | SDTV576i,16:9 |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd. |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | 8 June 1996; 29 years ago (1996-06-08) (Australia) 24 December 2003; 21 years ago (2003-12-24) (New Zealand) |
| Closed | 30 November 2019; 5 years ago (2019-11-30) (New Zealand) 1 March 2020; 5 years ago (2020-03-01) (Australia, Foxtel feed) 30 April 2020; 5 years ago (2020-04-30) (Australia, Fetch TV feed) |
| Replaced by | Disney+ (most of its content) |
| Former names | The Disney Channel (1996–97, Australia) |
Disney Channel (originally calledThe Disney Channel from 1996 to 1997) was an Australian and New Zealandpay television channel. It was theflagship television property owned and operated byThe Walt Disney Company. A localization version of theAmerican television channel of the same name, it was launched in 1996, and targeted towards children and families, with original series and movies.
The network's programming consisted of original animated and live action children's television series sourced from the Disney Channel including their original made-for-television movies, as well as screenings of Disney'stheatrical releases and other acquired programming.
The network closed in New Zealand on 30 November 2019 onSky, and in Australia on 1 March 2020 onFoxtel. It was discontinued on 30 April 2020 on Fetch TV.
Disney Channel was launched byOptus on 8 June 1996; the first program broadcast was the Australian television premiere ofAladdin.[1] It became available though Austar on 1 April 2001,[2] throughFoxtel on 1 December 2001,[3][4] and throughTransTV on 21 January 2002.[5] It was formerly available onSelecTV 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 thePlayhouse Disney channel in Australia and New Zealand on 5 December 2005, which later rebranded asDisney Junior in 2011.[9][10] An additional network namedDisney XD launched on 10 April 2014, featuring programming targeted towards boys aged 6–14.[11] Disney XD closed on 6 January 2019, with some of the network's programming moving to Disney Channel, includingStar Wars Resistance and variousMarvel animations.[12] With Disney XD programming being integrated into the main channel, the network would contain fewer advertisement breaks.[13]
Disney Channel also hosted a "FanFest" event in Australia, with its third local event being held atMartin Place in Sydney in August 2016.[14] The network organised a concert featuring American singerSabrina Carpenter, which was hosted by the Australian network's personalities, andlive 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 personalitiesBridgit Mendler andRoss Lynch.[14]
After indications that Disney Channel and Disney Junior would close in early 2020 due to the launch ofDisney+ 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 removed from their service at the end of February 2020, and on Fetch TV at the end of April 2020.[18][19]
Disney Channel's programming schedule mainly consisted oflive action sitcoms and animated series for children, sourced fromDisney Channel in the United States. Titles airing in the 2000s includedHannah Montana,Kim Possible,Lizzie McGuire,Lilo & Stitch: The Series andSabrina.[8][20] Programs broadcast by the network in the 2010s includedAndi Mack,Austin & Ally,Big Hero 6: The Series,Girl Meets World,K.C. Undercover andRaven's Home.[21][22][23][24]
Disney Channel's schedule also included internationally produced series acquired byDisney Channel Worldwide, includingHotel Transylvania: The Series,Rolling with the Ronks! andThe ZhuZhus.[22][25][26] In January 2017, Disney Channel acquired the license to air the local Australian seriesGrace Beside Me, a co-production betweenNITV andABC, which premiered in March 2019.[27][28]
The network aired broadcasts of Disney'stheatrical releases, withPixar films includingA Bug's Life,Monsters, Inc., and from theWalt Disney Animation Studios such asAladdin andThe Emperor's New Groove.[1][8][23] The network also airedDisney Channel Original Movies, including theHigh School Musical andDescendants franchises.[20][23]
Disney Channel Australia also commissioned and produced several of its own scripted drama series, including a local version ofAs the Bell Rings, and original miniseriesMind Over Maddie.[20][29][30] In 2013, the network debuted a local short-form series titledHanging 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 entitledSpread the Word, which explores words fromAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.[31][32] Other local programming includedBackstage Pass andRadio Disney Insider.[14][33]
Programs that moved to the network after the closure of Disney XD in 2019 includedBig City Greens,DuckTales,Gravity Falls,Pokémon: Sun & Moon,Star Wars Resistance and variousMarvel animations includingAvengers Assemble andSpider-Man.[12]
Disney Junior was a 24-hour Australiancable andsatellite 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 closed along with Disney Channel on 30 April 2020.[19]
Disney XD was a 24-hour Australiancable andsatellite channel available onFoxtel. It launched on 10 April 2014. All of the programs targeted boys aged 6–14.[11] The network closed on 6 January 2019, after 5 years on the air.[12]
The Disney Channel, which kicks off with the TV premiere of Aladdin at 6.30 pm on Saturday, June 8
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.