Wikipedia

Disney Channel (Australian TV channel)

(Redirected fromDisney Channel Australia)

Disney Channel(originally calledThe Disney Channelfrom 1996 to 1997) was an Australianpay televisionchannel. It was theflagshiptelevision property owned and operated byThe Walt Disney Companya localized version of thenamesake American television channellaunched in 1996, the network targeted towards children and their families, with original series and movies.

Disney Channel
CountryAustralia
Broadcast area
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
HeadquartersRichmond, Victoria
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture formatSDTV576i,16:9
Ownership
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd.
Sister channels
History
Launched8 June 1996;28 years ago(1996-06-08)(Australia)
24 December 2003;20 years ago(2003-12-24)(New Zealand)
Closed30 November 2019;4 years ago(2019-11-30)(New Zealand)
1 March 2020;4 years ago(2020-03-01)(Australia, Foxtel feed)
30 April 2020;4 years ago(2020-04-30)(Australia, Fetch TV feed)
Replaced byDisney+(most of its content)
Former namesThe Disney Channel (1996–97) (Australia)

The network'sprogrammingconsisted of original animated and live actiontelevision seriessourced from the Disney Channel including their originalmade-for-cablemovies,as well as screenings ofDisney's theatrical releasesand 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.

History

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Disney Channelwas first broadcast byOptuson 8 June 1996; the first program scheduled was the television premiere ofAladdin.[1]It became available though Austar on 1 April 2001,[2]throughFoxtelon 1 December 2001,[3][4]and throughTransTVon 21 January 2002.[5]It was formerly available onSelecTVfrom 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 Disneychannel in Australia and New Zealand on 5 December 2005, which later rebranded asDisney Juniorin 2011.[9][10]An additional network namedDisney XDlaunched 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, includingStar Wars Resistanceand variousMarvel 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, atMartin Placein Sydney.[14]The network organised a concert featuring US singerSabrina Carpenter,which was hosted by the Australian network's personalities, andlive streamedon 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 MendlerandRoss 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 leaving their service at the end of February 2020, and on Fetch TV at the end of April 2020.[18][19]

Programming

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Disney Channel'sprogrammingschedule mainly consists oflive action sitcomsandanimated seriesforchildren,sourced fromDisney Channelin the United States. Titles airing in the 2000s includedHannah Montana,Kim Possible,Lizzie McGuire,Lilo & Stitch: The SeriesandSabrina.[8][20]Programs broadcast by the network in the 2010s have includedAndi Mack,Austin & Ally,Big Hero 6: The Series,Girl Meets World,K.C. UndercoverandRaven's Home.[21][22][23][24]

Disney Channel's schedule also includes 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 betweenNITVandABC,which premiered in March 2019.[27][28]

The network airs event broadcasts ofDisney's theatrical releases,withPixarfilms includingA Bug's Life,Monsters, Inc.,andanimated classicssuch asAladdinandThe Emperor's New Groove.[1][8][23]Also featured areDisney Channel's originalmade-for-cablemovies,including theHigh School MusicalandDescendantsfranchises.[20][23]

Disney Channel Australia has 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 has includedBackstage PassandRadio 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 the Series: Sun & Moon,Star Wars Resistanceand variousMarvel animationsincludingMarvel's Avengers AssembleandMarvel's Spider-Man.[12]

Sister channels (closed)

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Disney Junior

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Main article:Disney Junior (Australian TV channel)

Disney Juniorwas a 24-hour Australiancableandsatellitechannel 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

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

Disney XDwas a 24-hour Australiancableandsatellitechannel available onFoxtel.It launched on 10 April 2014. All of the programs targeted boys aged 6–14.[11]The network closed broadcasting on 6 January 2019, after 5 years on the air.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abElder, Bruce (2 June 1996)."Disney to the rescue".Sydney Morning Herald.Sydney:Nine Entertainment.p. 1. Archived fromthe originalon 16 July 2011.Retrieved21 December2009.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 fromthe originalon 6 March 2012.Retrieved26 January2010.
  3. ^"Hitting Disney heights". TV Plus.The Sunday Mail.16 December 2001. p. T35.
  4. ^"Package Updates".Foxtel. 2001. Archived fromthe originalon 14 December 2001.Retrieved1 December2009.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 fromthe originalon 27 September 2011.Retrieved26 February2010.
  7. ^Chessell, James (20 August 2010)."Bruce Gordon's SelecTV to make changes".City Beat.The Australian.Archived fromthe originalon 5 January 2014.Retrieved20 August2010.
  8. ^abc"Sky To Launch Three New Channels".Scoop.Scoop Media. 19 September 2003.Archivedfrom the original on 9 July 2020.Retrieved17 February2019.
  9. ^abAlarcon, Camille (1 December 2005)."Disney makes new friends".B & T Weekly.54(2546): 23.ISSN1325-9210.Archived fromthe originalon 15 August 2011.Retrieved2 July2017.
  10. ^abKnox, David (25 May 2011)."Playhouse Disney rebrands as Disney Junior from Sunday".TV Tonight.Archivedfrom the original on 17 February 2019.Retrieved17 February2019.
  11. ^abKnox, David (24 February 2014)."Disney Movies, Disney XD join Foxtel".TV Tonight.Archivedfrom the original on 17 August 2020.Retrieved24 February2014.
  12. ^abcNik (1 December 2018)."Disney XD is closing"(Press release). Foxtel. Archived fromthe originalon 5 December 2018.Retrieved1 December2018.
  13. ^"Sky to offer Disney programmes in one channel".Telecompaper.Archivedfrom the original on 17 December 2018.Retrieved22 December2018.
  14. ^abcdefJoshi, Kruti (12 August 2016)."Disney fans swarm to Martin Place for FanFest".Mediaweek.Archivedfrom the original on 20 February 2019.Retrieved19 February2019.
  15. ^Perry, Kevin (5 October 2019)."Foxtel prepared for life without Disney Channels".TV Blackbox.Archived fromthe originalon 10 December 2019.Retrieved6 October2019.
  16. ^Keall, Chris (5 October 2019)."Sky renews Sevens deal to 2023, loses Disney channels".The New Zealand Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 7 July 2020.Retrieved6 October2019.
  17. ^Ramsey, Teresa (22 November 2019)."Sky's Disney channels to close".Stuff.Stuff Limited.Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2020.Retrieved23 November2019.
  18. ^Blackiston, Hannah (5 February 2020)."Disney pulls channels from Foxtel".Mumbrella.Archived fromthe originalon 24 October 2020.Retrieved2 February2020.
  19. ^Perry, Kevin (6 February 2020)."Exclusive – Disney channels to be removed from Fetch TV after Foxtel walkout".TVBlackBox.Archived fromthe originalon 8 April 2020.Retrieved6 February2020.
  20. ^abc"As the Bell Rings".Girl.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on 17 February 2019.Retrieved17 February2019.
  21. ^"Big Hero 6 The SeriesTo Air In Australia ".Heavy Mag.30 January 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 17 February 2019.Retrieved17 February2019.
  22. ^abSpark, 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.Retrieved17 February2019.
  23. ^abcd"The Walt Disney Company".Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA).Archivedfrom the original on 24 March 2020.Retrieved11 August2016.
  24. ^Knox, David (21 September 2017)."Airdate:Raven's Home".TV Tonight.Archivedfrom the original on 13 July 2019.Retrieved24 February2019.
  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.Archivedfrom the original on 12 August 2020.Retrieved17 February2019.
  26. ^Vlessing, Etan (20 June 2016)."Hotel TransylvaniaTV Series Headed to Disney Channels Worldwide ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 18 June 2020.Retrieved17 February2019.
  27. ^Knox, David (19 January 2017)."NITV announces first local drama".TV Tonight.Archivedfrom the original on 26 April 2019.Retrieved9 February2019.
  28. ^Knox, David (18 July 2017)."Cameras roll on Grace Beside Me for NITV".TV Tonight.Archivedfrom the original on 14 January 2021.Retrieved9 February2019.
  29. ^"Australian Television:Mind Over Maddie".Australian Television Information Archive. 28 June 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 17 February 2019.Retrieved9 February2019.
  30. ^"Disney Channel Australia".The Screen Guide.Screen Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2020.Retrieved9 February2019.
  31. ^Dickson, Jeremy (5 July 2019)."Disney Australia orders Indigenous language series".Kidscreen.Archivedfrom the original on 7 November 2020.Retrieved9 July2019.
  32. ^"Disney Channel partners with Media Farm on Indigenous language series".Mumbrella.8 July 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 25 October 2020.Retrieved9 July2019.
  33. ^Milton, Ashleigh (26 May 2013)."Naomi swaps Disney for a starring role in new video".St. George & Sutherland Shire Leader.Archivedfrom the original on 29 April 2019.Retrieved11 August2016.
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