Family Jr.is a Canadianspecialty channelowned byWildBrain.A sister channel toFamily Channel,it broadcastschildren's programmingaimed at viewers aged 2 to 7. Legally, the channel operates as amultiplex serviceof Family Channel, stemming from its former licensing status as apremium televisionservice; therefore, it is distributed at no additional charge to Family Channel subscribers. Along with itsFrench-languagecounterpart,Télémagino,it was available in over 4 million Canadian households as of 2013.[1]
 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Network | Family |
| Headquarters | Toronto,Ontario |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080iHDTV (downscaled toletterboxed480ifor theSDTVfeed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | WildBrain |
| Sister channels | Family Channel Télémagino WildBrainTV |
| History | |
| Launched | November 30, 2007,16 years ago |
| Former names | Playhouse Disney Channel(2007–2011) Disney Junior(2011–2015) |
| Links | |
| Website | familyjr |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| RiverTV | Over-the-top TV |
| Amazon Prime Channels | Over-the-top TV |
The channel launched on November 30, 2007, as a Canadian version ofPlayhouse Disney,under license fromDisney Channels Worldwide(which had a library agreement with Family Channel at the time). It then rebranded under Disney's new preschool television brandDisney Juniorin 2011. In 2015, Family Channel lost the rights to Disney Channel programming toCorus Entertainment:this resulted in the launch of anew Corus-run Disney Junior channel,and DHX's existing Disney Junior channel being rebranded as Family Jr.–abrand extensionof Family Channel–in September 2015.
History
editAs Playhouse Disney and Disney Junior
editThe channel originally launched asPlayhouse Disneyon November 30, 2007; as Family was originally licensed as apremium televisionservice, it is allowed to operate multiplex channels consistent with the network's licence (which dictated that it provide a service with programming aimed at youth aged 17 and younger), thus the channel did not require separate CRTC approval, and 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 separateCategory Blicense.[2]
On May 6, 2011, the networks were rebranded under Disney's new preschool television brand,Disney Junior.[3]
On March 4, 2013,Bell Mediaannounced that it would divest the Family Channel networks as part of its then-proposed acquisition of Astral Media.[4]On November 28, 2013,DHX Media(now WildBrain) announced it would acquire the Family Channel networks $170 million, pending CRTC approval.[5][6]On July 24, 2014, the CRTC approved DHX's purchase of the networks,[7][8]and the deal was closed on July 31, 2014.[9][10]
As Family Jr.
editOn April 16, 2015, it was announced thatCorus Entertainmenthad 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 aCanadian versionofDisney 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 brand extensions of Family Channel; Disney Junior was re-branded as Family Jr. on September 18, 2015. A Corus-owned incarnation ofDisney Juniorlater launched on December 1, 2015.[11][12][13][14][15]
Programming
editCurrent programming
editCanadian productions
edit- Beep & Mort(September 5, 2023–present)[16]
- Big Block SingSong(2023–present)[17]
- Caillou(February 5, 2018–present)
- Chip and Potato(October 15, 2018–present)
- Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood(September 4, 2017 - present)[18]
- The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy(2022–present)
- Happy House of Frightenstein(2021–present)
- Justin Time(September 22, 2011–present)[19][20]
- Kate & Mim-Mim(September 5, 2015–present)[21]
- Kiwi & Strit(2022—present)
- Mighty Mike(April 1, 2019–present)
- Polly Pocket(July 8, 2018–present)
- Rev & Roll(September 2, 2019–present)[22]
- Space Ranger Roger(January 9, 2017–present)[23]
- Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City(October 17, 2021 – present)[24]
Acquired programming
edit- Arthur(May 10, 2024-present)[25]
- ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks[26]
- Blippi Visits(2023 – present)[27]
- Brave Bunnies(September 6, 2022–present)
- Care Bears: Unlock the Magic(October 7, 2019 – present)[28]
- Curious George(September 18, 2015–present)[29]
- Dog Loves Books(2020–present)
- DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders(August 7, 2021–present)[30]
- Grizzy & the Lemmings(March 24, 2018–present)
- Go Jetters(March 1, 2021 – present)[31]
- Hey Duggee(November 2, 2020 – present)[32]
- Jungle Beat(2022–present)
- Lucas the Spider(October 16, 2021 – present)[33]
- Madagascar: A Little Wild(January 9, 2021 – present)[34]
- Norman Picklestripes(September 19, 2020 – present)[35]
- Petronix Defenders(January 7, 2023 – present)
- The Smurfs(2023–present)
- Sunny Bunnies(July 2, 2018–present)
- Super Wings(2022–present)
- Teletubbies(December 19, 2015–present)[36]
- Twirlywoos(September 5, 2015–present)
- Where's Waldo?(2023–present)[37]
Former programming
edit- Bananas in Pyjamas(February 19, 2013–February 2017)
- Bob the Builder[38]
- Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot(March 2010 – June 30, 2012)
- Dinotrux[39]
- Elias: Rescue Team Adventures[40][41]
- Franny's Feet(November 30, 2007 – February 4, 2018)[42]
- Gerald McBoing-Boing(2009 – July 31, 2011)[43]
- Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs(2009 – August 28, 2014)[citation needed]
- Henry's World(November 30, 2007 – September 27, 2013)
- In the Night Garden...(April 11, 2016 – July 1, 2024)
- Julius Jr.(May 2, 2015 – June 29, 2018)
- Katie and Orbie(November 30, 2007 – December 31, 2012)
- King(November 30, 2007 – February 2010)
- Kody Kapow
- Lalaloopsy(September 27, 2014 – August 28, 2016)
- Little People[44]
- Mack & Moxy
- Messy Goes to Okido[45]
- Nature Cat(July 1, 2016 – July 1, 2019)
- Noddy, Toyland Detective[46]
- Pajanimals
- Playdate[47]
- Rainbow Ruby[48][49]
- Sarah & Duck(July 7, 2014 – September 1, 2019)[50][51]
- The Save-Ums!(May 24, 2015 – September 1, 2018)[52]
- The Secret World of Benjamin Bear(November 30, 2007 – August 30, 2015)
- Something Else(November 30, 2007 – 2008)
- Stella and Sam(January 9, 2011 – September 1, 2016)
- Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures(2010–2020)[53]
- Super Why!(November 7, 2016 – 2020)[54]
- Thomas & Friends(May 24, 2015 – August 31, 2018)[55]
- Tickety Toc(April 23, 2012 – July 30, 2018)
- Topsy and Tim
- Waybuloo(April 16, 2016 – 2019)
- Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!(July 20, 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
editPrograms in bold indicate that the programs moved to newDisney Junior (Canadian TV channel)
- 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)[56]
- 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 – September 3, 2010)
- Out of the Box(November 30, 2007 – August 31, 2014)
- 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
editFamily Jr. HD
editOn May 1, 2013, ahigh definitionsimulcast of Family Jr.'s (as Disney Junior)standard definitionfeed was launched. It is available onBell Aliant,Eastlink,Rogers Cable,SaskTel,Shaw Direct,andTelus Optik TV.
Family Jr. On Demand
editFamily Jr. On Demand is avideo on demandservice featuring programming from Family Jr, available to subscribers of Family. Family Jr. (as Disney Junior) launched its own On Demand channel on May 6, 2011.[57]
Family Jr. Go
editFamily Jr. Go is a service available on the App Store and Google Play Store. It was initially only available to television customers ofShaw CableandShaw Direct,but expanded to other providers as years went by. It shows new and old episodes of Family Jr. programming and is part of the Family app.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Family Channel | Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD Available on Free Preview in March".Newswire.ca. March 1, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2013.RetrievedAugust 6,2014.
- ^"Broadcasting Decision 2006–98".CRTC.March 27, 2006.RetrievedNovember 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
- ^Biblic, Mirko (June 27, 2013)."Re: Voting Trust Agreement between BCE Inc. and Pierre Boivin, the trustee Application No. 2013-0243-9–Approved".CRTC.RetrievedJuly 5,2013.
- ^"DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels".Toronto Star.November 28, 2013.RetrievedNovember 29,2013.
- ^"DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media".The Globe and Mail.Toronto. November 28, 2013.RetrievedNovember 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 fromthe originalon April 2, 2015.RetrievedJuly 26,2014.
- ^Vessing, Etan (July 24, 2014)."DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover".Kidscreen.Brunico Communications.RetrievedJuly 26,2014.
- ^"DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes".Canada Newswire.July 31, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon August 3, 2014.RetrievedJuly 31,2014.
- ^"Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-388".CRTC. July 24, 2014.RetrievedJuly 27,2014.
- ^"Changes to Kids Channels".VMedia. August 21, 2015.RetrievedAugust 26,2015.
- ^"Changes to our youth programming".Videotron.RetrievedAugust 26,2015.
- ^"DHX TELEVISION'S REBRANDED FAMILY JR. AND TÉLÉMAGINO NETWORKS REVEALED TODAY"(Press release). DHX Media. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 18,2015.
- ^"DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done".Cartt.ca.April 16, 2015.RetrievedApril 16,2015.
- ^"Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content".The Globe and Mail.Canadian Press.RetrievedApril 16,2015.
- ^"Beep & Mort".FamilyJr.ca.RetrievedSeptember 4,2023.
- ^"Big Block Sing Song".Archived fromthe originalon September 26, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 6,2023.
- ^"Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood–FamilyJr.ca".Family Jr.DHX Media. Archived fromthe originalon October 7, 2017.RetrievedOctober 7,2017.
- ^"Astral's Disney Junior to premiere Justin Time".Kidscreen.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Justin Time–Distribution & Sales–Guru Studio".Gurustudio.Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Kate & Mim-Mim".Familyjr.ca.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"DHX, Alpha Group get revved up for new series".Kidscreen.RetrievedOctober 2,2018.
- ^"Space Ranger Roger".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City".FamilyJr.ca.RetrievedOctober 3,2021.
- ^"Arthur".Family Jr.Archived fromthe originalon May 2, 2024.RetrievedMay 2,2024.
- ^"Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks".Family Jr.DHX Media. Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2017.RetrievedOctober 7,2017.
- ^"Blippi".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon September 4, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 4,2023.
- ^"Care Bears: Unlock the Magic".Archived fromthe originalon December 22, 2022.RetrievedSeptember 24,2019.
- ^"Curious George".FamilyJr.ca.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Dragons: Rescue Riders".FamilyJr.ca.RetrievedAugust 2,2021.
- ^"Go Jetters".
- ^"TV Schedule for Family Jr".
- ^"Lucas the Spider".FamilyJr.ca.RetrievedOctober 3,2021.
- ^"FamilyJr.ca".FamilyJr.ca.
- ^"Norman Picklestripes".FamilyJr.ca.RetrievedSeptember 11,2020.
- ^"Teletubbies".FamilyJr.ca.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Watch".familyjr.ca.RetrievedApril 2,2024.
- ^"Bob the Builder".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Dinotrux FamilyJr.ca".Family Jr.DHX Media. Archived fromthe originalon October 7, 2017.RetrievedOctober 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) – viaTwitter.
- ^"Elias: Rescue Team Adventures".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Franny's Feet".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Playhouse Disney Canada".playhousedisney.ca.Archived fromthe originalon December 17, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 12,2022.
- ^"Little People".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Messy Goes to OKIDO".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Noddy, Toyland Detective".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"FAMILY JR. SETS A PLAYDATE FOR OCTOBER 3–DHX Media".Dhxmedia.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Rainbow Ruby".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon January 21, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Rainbow Ruby set for Canadian premiere".Kidscreen.April 14, 2016.RetrievedApril 18,2018.
- ^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) – viaTwitter.
- ^"Sarah and Duck".FamilyJr.ca.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"The Save-Ums!".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures Reaches Disney Jr Canada • ToonBarn".ToonBarn.January 10, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2018.RetrievedApril 18,2018.
- ^"Super WHY!".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Thomas & Friends".FamilyJr.ca.Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 29,2018.
- ^"Schedule | Disney Junior Channel".Archivedfrom the original on September 25, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 25,2013.
- ^"Family Jr. On Demand".FamilyJr.Ca.Archived fromthe originalon September 15, 2013.RetrievedDecember 28,2015.