Disney XD
Country | United States |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Nationwide |
Headquarters | Burbank, California,U.S. |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English Spanish (viaSAPaudio track, a Spanish language simulcast of the channel is also available) |
Picture format | HDTV720p (downscaled tocenter cut480ifor the SD feed) |
Ownership | |
Owner | |
Sister channels | |
History | |
Launched | February 13, 2009 |
Replaced | Toon Disney |
Links | |
Webcast | Watch live |
Website | DisneyNOW portal |
Availability | |
Streaming media | |
Affiliated Streaming Service | Disney+ |
Sling TV,YouTube TV,Hulu + Live TV,fuboTV |
Disney XDis an Americanpay televisionchannelowned by theDisney Branded TelevisionandDisney Entertainmentunits ofThe Walt Disney Company.The channel is aimed primarily at older children (mainly boys) ages six to eleven years old.[2]
Disney XD's programming consists of original first-runtelevision series,current and former original series andmade-for-TV filmsinherited fromsister networkDisney Channel,theatrically released films, and acquired programs from other distributors, along with a primetime block of programming involvingcompetitive gaming.[3]
The channel offers an alternate Spanish-language audio feed, either via a separate channel with the English track removed as part of a package of Spanish-language television networks sold by subscription providers or a separate audio track accessible through theSAPoption, depending on the provider.[citation needed]
As of November 2023[update],Disney XD is available to approximately 44,000,000 pay television households in the United States, down from its 2013 peak of 82,000,000 households.[4]
History
Disney XD was launched on February 13, 2009, at 12:00 a.m.Eastern Time,with thePhineas and Ferbepisode "Dude, We're Getting the Band Back Together"being the first show to air on the channel. The channel debuted its first original series,Aaron Stone,at 7:00 p.m. New animated series included in the channel's initial lineup wereKid vs. KatandJimmy Two-Shoes.[5]
The network took over the channel space ofToon Disney,an animation-focused channel that debuted on April 18, 1998, which eventually launched a live-action/animation block calledJetixin 2004. Jetix channels outside of the United States were relaunched under the Disney XD banner starting with the France-based service on April 1, 2009.[6]Many of the channel's programs – particularly animated series – previously aired on Toon Disney, mainly as part of the Jetix programming block, which ran on Toon Disney until that channel's shutdown. Disney XD carries the same name as an unrelated mini-site and media player onDisney,which stood forDisney Xtreme Digital.[7]According to Gary Marsh, President of Entertainment for Disney Channel Worldwide, "XD" does not even "stand for anything" and was chosen simply because it looked "cool." Marsh notes that "the letter X has many cool associations" and that "the beauty of it is the audience can imbue it with all sorts of positive attributes." "XD" is also anemoticonforlaughter.
The channel's first original television movie,Skyrunners,premiered on November 27, 2009.[8]On April 1, 2012, Disney XD launched a block called "Marvel Universe", as a result of Disney's 2009 acquisition ofMarvel Entertainment.[9]By June 2014, Disney XD agreed to a multi-picture development deal with Two 4 the Money andMarVista Entertainmentwith MarVista having global rights.[10]
On November 17, 2016, it was announced that thePokémonanime series would be moving to Disney XD from its previous broadcaster,Cartoon Network.The twentieth season,Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon,was the first season to air and was first broadcast as a sneak peek on December 5, 2016.Pokémonbegan its regular broadcast on May 12, 2017.[11]
On August 12, 2017, Disney XD premiered a reboot ofDuckTales.[12]In 2018, through a series of promos and news announcements, Disney announced that four of Disney XD's original series (those beingStar vs. the Forces of Evil,Milo Murphy's Law,DuckTales,andBig Hero 6: The Series) would be moving their premieres over to Disney Channel, while Disney XD would continue to air re-runs.[13][14]In 2020,DuckTalesandBig Hero 6: The Serieswere both moved back to Disney XD for their final seasons, which both ended in 2021.
Programming
Disney XD's schedule consists largely of animated and live-action programs aimed at pre-teens and young teenagers. Disney XD content is a mixture of former original series as well as programs inherited from sister network Disney Channel. In addition to full-length live-action and animated original series, the channel also debuts short series similar to those seen on Disney Channel during commercial breaks (such asTwo More Eggs), which serve as filler for programs scheduled to end during the half-hour and last usually around one to three minutes.
In addition, Disney XD airs originalmade-for-TV movies from Disney Channeland theatrically released feature films.
Unlike Disney Channel (and similarly, fellow sister networkDisney Junior)—whose advertising comes in the form ofprogram promotions,underwriter sponsorships,and interstitials for Disney films,home video,and game releases produced by the channel[15]—Disney XD operates as an advertiser-supported service running traditionaltelevision commercialsin addition to promotions for the channel's shows.
Sports
Sister networkESPNhas produced sports-oriented content for Disney XD; for a period, the channel produced an interstitial program known as theSportsCenterHigh-5,which featured a countdown of sports highlights. As part of a deal with ESPN, Disney XD carried coverage of the2018 Overwatch Leagueas part of itsD|XPblock.[16]
In2019,Disney XD began to air theNFL'sPro Bowl,in a simulcast alongside ESPN andABC.[17]
In March 2023, the channel participated in another sports broadcast as part ofESPN's NHL coverage,with Disney Channel and Disney XD airing a 3D animated,Big City Greens-themed presentation of a game.[18][19]
Programming blocks
- Randomation Animation–Randomation Animationwas a morning animation block on Saturdays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, which debuted on July 13, 2013. Programs featured in the block includedPac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures,Xiaolin Chronicles,Packages from Planet X,Camp Lakebottom,Max Steel,Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja,andPhineas and Ferb.[20]
- Show Me the Monday–Show Me the Mondaywas a Monday night programming block that premiered in late 2013. The block presented new episodes of Disney XD original series such asLab Rats,Mighty Med,Gravity Fallsand others.
- Animacation–Animacationwas a morning animation block that aired weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the summer of 2014. The block featured new episodes and reruns of original animated programming, as well as the premieres ofDoraemon: Gadget Cat from the Future,BoysterandThe 7D.
- D|XP– a prime-time block that featured video gaming-related programming aimed at teens; the block was introduced on July 15, 2017, and ran from 9:00 p.m. to. 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The block draws upon resources from sister properties, such as the Disney-ownedmulti-channel networkMaker Studios(who produced the weeklyPolaris Primetime,and curates content from its member personalities for other programming on the block),ESPN(fore-sportscoverage), andVice Media'sWaypoint,as well as outside producers and sources such asIGN.[21]On July 16,D|XPpresented coverage of the finals of theSuper Smash Bros. for Wii UandStreet Fighter Vtournaments atEvo 2017,complementing coverage of the event across ESPN networks andTwitch.[22][23][24]On July 11, 2018,ESPNannounced a multi-year deal withBlizzard Entertainmentto airOverwatch Leaguematches onABC,Disney XD (as a part of theD|XPblock) and the ESPN networks, beginning with the2018 playoffs.[16]
- Anime Block– a block showcasing variousanimeprograms featured on the channel, such asPokémon,Yo-kai WatchandBeyblade Burst.[25]It launched on February 18, 2017, and aired every Saturday.[26]It was discontinued in 2020 following Netflix's acquisition of the streaming rights toPokémon.
- Marvel on Disney XD– a block of animated series produced byMarvel Animationthat aired Sunday mornings from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, which resulted from The Walt Disney Company's 2009 acquisition ofMarvel Entertainment.The block launched on April 1, 2012, asMarvel Universewith the premiere ofUltimate Spider-Man,followed by returning seriesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.It also features 5 short series using short-form animated and live-action interstitials.[9]Programs that were featured in the block includedSpider-Man(2017),[27]Avengers Assemble,Guardians of the Galaxy,[28]"Marvel Mash-Up" (which features classic Marvel cartoons mashed up with new twists) and "Fury Files".
Related services
Service | Description |
---|---|
Disney XD HD | Disney XD HD is ahigh definitionsimulcast of the Disney XD channel that broadcasts in the720presolution; the HD feed launched with thestandard definitionfeed of the channel on February 13, 2009. Disney XD's original programming is produced and broadcast in HD, along with feature films, Disney Channel original movies made after 2005 and select episodes, films and series produced before 2009. The HD feed is carried through most providers, excludingDish. |
Disney XD On Demand | Disney XD On Demand is the channel'svideo-on-demandservice, offering select episodes of Disney XD's original series and certain acquired programs to pay television providers. |
DisneyNOW | On September 28, 2017, the Disney Channel app was relaunched as DisneyNOW, which combines the apps of Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD andRadio Disneyinto one universal app featuring access to all four services. The Disney XD app was discontinued on February 15, 2018.[29] |
Former services | |
Disney XD App | Formerly known as "WATCH Disney XD" until a June 2016 rebranding, themobile appanddigital media playerapps for Disney XD offer live and on-demand streaming of Disney XD content online. These apps require users toauthenticatewith a login from a participating television service provider for access to live video or the newest episodes of a series, though a limited selection of free episodes also are available without a login. The app closed on February 15, 2018. |
International channels
Disney XD, similarly born of a merger betweenJetixandToon Disney,[30][31][32]was formerly available around the world. Most of the international Disney XD networks have been closed down from 2019, due to the launch ofDisney+.
On January 6, 2019, Disney XD closed down in Australia and New Zealand with programs moving toDisney Channelfor that network's last year before its content was subsumed into Disney+. In India, the channel was rebranded asMarvel HQon January 9, 2019 which was later rebranded asSuper Hungamaon March 1, 2022. On October 1, 2019, Disney XD closed in Italy following the non-renewal of itsSkycarriage agreement.[33]
The Spanish and German versions were closed on April 1, 2020, followed by France's network a week later. XD in Singapore ceased on June 1, 2020,[34]then the UK & Ireland and continental Africa domestic feeds on October 1, 2020.[35][36]Together with theSoutheast Asian,Scandinavian,andMiddle Eastern,feeds closing on December 31, 2020. The Japanese and Turkish channels also closed on January 31, 2021.[37]
The latest closure was inLatin Americaon March 31, 2022.[38]Since then Disney XD only has three sister networks outside of America; Canada and Poland as full-time networks.
See also
- Disney Channel- the main channel counterpart to Disney XD
- Toon Disney- precursor channel to Disney XD
- Jetix- an international brand that aired on Toon Disney
References
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (February 19, 2021)."Disney XD's Marc Buhaj To Lead Unscripted Series & Specials For Disney Branded Television".
- ^"Disney Channels - About Us".Archived fromthe originalon January 21, 2021.RetrievedMarch 22,2021.
- ^"Disney XD launches gaming-themed block".RetrievedAugust 2,2024.
- ^"U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023".wrestlenomics.May 14, 2024.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
- ^Haugsted, Linda (January 7, 2009)."Disney XD Unwraps on Friday the 13th(Archive)".MultiChannel News.Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2011.RetrievedDecember 2,2013.
- ^"French Jetix becomes Disney XD".Broadband TV News. February 16, 2009.
- ^Disney to offer safe social site for kids,Chicago Tribune,January 17, 2007.
- ^Moody, Annemarie (April 7, 2009)."Production Begins on Disney XD's Skyrunners, Weta Handles Creatures".Animation World Network.RetrievedNovember 15,2014.
- ^abTruitt, Brian (March 7, 2012)."'Ultimate Spider-Man' leads Disney XD's new superhero series ".AZ Central.Gannett. USA Today. Archived fromthe originalon November 29, 2014.RetrievedNovember 15,2014.
- ^Cummins, Julianna (June 25, 2014)."MarVista strikes multi-pic development deal with Disney XD".Kidscreen.Brunico Communications Ltd. Playback Online.RetrievedJune 26,2019.
- ^Barder, Ollie."'Pokémon Sun And Moon' Anime Is Released On Disney XD This December ".Forbes.Archivedfrom the original on November 19, 2016.RetrievedNovember 19,2016.
- ^"Disney Is Reviving 'DuckTales'!".Entertainment Tonight.RetrievedNovember 10,2017.
- ^Pedersen, Erik (February 23, 2018)."Disney Channel Launching Toon Series 'Amphibia' & 'The Owl House', Renews 'Star Vs. The Forces Of Evil' For Season 4".
- ^Barajas, Henry (April 11, 2018)."Rebooted Ducktales moves to Disney Channel with trailer for new episodes".SYFY WIRE.Archived fromthe originalon April 14, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 19,2020.
- ^Now that Duff's had enough...: is it time for Disney Channel to cash in and rethink no-ads strategy?,Daily Variety,June 6, 2003. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
- ^ab"Overwatch League comes to ESPN, Disney and ABC".ESPN.July 11, 2018.RetrievedJuly 11,2018.
- ^Yoder, Matt (January 24, 2019)."ESPN is televising the Pro Bowl on four different networks, including Disney XD".Awful Announcing.RetrievedMarch 15,2023.
- ^Steinberg, Brian (February 14, 2023)."Disney Will Animate ESPN Coverage for Disney Channel to Get Kids Into Hockey".Variety.RetrievedMarch 15,2023.
- ^"Rangers, Capitals in 'Big City Greens' Classic on ESPN, Disney Channel".NHL.RetrievedFebruary 15,2023.
- ^Wolfe, Jennifer (July 12, 2013)."Disney XD Kicks Off 'Randomation' Block".Animation World Network.RetrievedAugust 5,2014.
- ^Lafayette, Jon (June 14, 2017)."Disney XD Set to Launch Gamer Programming Block".Broadcasting & Cable.RetrievedJuly 14,2017.
- ^Kim, Matt (July 14, 2017)."Disney XD Will Air the Super Smash Bros. Finals".USgamer.Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2017.RetrievedJuly 17,2017.
- ^Casey (July 14, 2017)."Disney XD Will Be Airing The Super Smash Bros. Wii U Finals From EVO 2017".Siliconera.RetrievedJuly 14,2017.
- ^Beck, Kellen (July 14, 2017)."Disney is bringing esports to TV this weekend".Mashable.RetrievedJuly 14,2017.
- ^Anime Block: Pokémon, Beyblade, Yo-kai Watch.YouTube: Disney XD. February 24, 2017.RetrievedJuly 14,2017.
- ^"Split screens and exaggerated expressions mean only one thing - the Anime Block is coming to Disney XD this Saturday".Twitter.Disney XD. February 17, 2017.RetrievedJuly 15,2017.
- ^"'Ultimate Spider-Man' Cartoon to Kick Off Disney XD Marvel Programming Block April 1 ".ComicsAlliance.January 10, 2012.RetrievedNovember 10,2017.
- ^"Marvel Calls" Avengers Assemble "On DisneyXD".May 23, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2013.RetrievedJune 9,2013.
- ^Steinberg, Brian (February 28, 2017)."As 'Kids' Upfront' Kicks Off, Disney Woos Madison Avenue – Variety".Variety.RetrievedSeptember 28,2017.
- ^Briel, Robert (February 16, 2009)."French Jetix becomes Disney XD".Broadband TV News.RetrievedAugust 27,2018.
- ^Chmielewski, Dawn C. (August 7, 2008)."Enough with the girls, tween boys get their own brand of Disney love".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedFebruary 25,2014.
- ^"Benjamin's buttons. Disneys global Boss hit the right keys".VideoAge International.TV Trade Media, Inc. October 1, 2009.RetrievedApril 9,2014– viaThe Free Library.
- ^"Basta Disney XD e Fox Comedy su Sky: dal 1 ottobre spenti cinque canali Fox e Disney".DDay.it.
- ^"Disney channels go dark in Singapore".ContentAsia.RetrievedFebruary 12,2022.
- ^Kanter, Jake (June 25, 2020)."Disney To Close Kids Channels In The UK Following Launch Of Disney+".
- ^"TV with Thinus: Going dark on DStv: Disney's FOX Life and Disney XD the next TV channels leaving MultiChoice's pay-TV service at the end of September 2020".September 7, 2020.
- ^"Disney XD To Close Down In Japan | What's On Disney Plus".October 21, 2020.
- ^"Disney cesará transmisiones de los canales Disney XD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Kids, FX Movies y Star Life en Latinoamérica - TVLaint".tvlaint(in Spanish).RetrievedFebruary 12,2022.
External links
- Disney XD
- 2009 establishments in California
- American companies established in 2009
- Disney television networks
- Children's television networks in the United States
- English-language television stations in the United States
- Television channels and stations established in 2009
- Television networks in the United States