Disney Jr. was a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment which launched on December 1, 2015. It was a localized version of the American cable network of the same name operated under license from Disney Branded Television, a division of The Walt Disney Company which broadcast animated programming aimed at children and preschoolers ages 2 to 8.
History
Original run (2011–2015)
From May 6, 2011 to September 18, 2015, DHX Media (now WildBrain) operated an English-language Disney Junior-branded channel in Canada as a multiplex of Family Channel (originally launched as Playhouse Disney on November 30, 2007). The channel had a French-language counterpart (launched on July 5, 2010 as Playhouse Disney Télé), operating under a separate license.
In April 2015, Corus acquired Canadian rights to Disney Channel's programming and associated brands. After the announcement of the rights deal, Corus stated that it would launch several Disney branded channels in the future, after the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel.[1][2][3][4]
Relaunch and second closure (2015–2025)
In August 2015, television provider VMedia stated on its website that Corus would launch Disney Junior and Disney XD channels on December 1, 2015.[5] Upon its launch on September 1, 2015, Disney Channel aired a programming block featuring Disney Junior programs.[6] DHX's Disney Junior services were rebranded as Family Jr. and Télémagino on September 18, 2015, and both channels shut down on October 23, 2025.[7]
Corus's English-language Disney Junior channel officially launched on December 1, 2015 alongside their Disney XD channel.[8] DHX's rights to broadcast Disney Junior programming expired on January 1, 2016.[3]
On September 1, 2017, the channel obtained a discretionary service licence;[9] it had been operating as an exempt channel before then.[10]
There was no French-language counterpart launched, however, La Chaîne Disney offered the morning programming block Disney Junior sur La Chaîne Disney to carry the network's programming in the French language, until the network's closure (along with Disney Jr. itself) on September 1, 2025.
On April 21, 2018, the network aired its first film, The Lion King (1994), and continued to air films (including Cars, Cars 2, and Finding Nemo) until early 2021.
In December 2022, Disney Junior was added to StackTV, along with Disney Channel and Disney XD.
On July 10, 2025, Corus announced that they would close Disney Jr. alongside a selection of Disney-licensed channels (Disney XD, La Chaîne Disney and ABC Spark), as well as the unrelated Nickelodeon, at midnight permanently on September 1, due to financial pressure occurring at the company.[11] Despite the closure, Corus confirmed that it would continue to air the channel's content on Disney Channel. The last show to air on the channel before its midnight closure was the Bluey minisode "Tattoo Shop", after which the channel switched to a slate stating "This channel is no longer available".[12]
Logos
External links
References
- Corus Entertainment and Disney/ABC Television Group Join Forces in Landmark Licensing Agreement Corus Entertainment, April 16, 2015, retrieved April 17, 2015^
- DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels Toronto Star, November 28, 2013, retrieved November 29, 2013^
- Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content The Globe and Mail, retrieved April 16, 2015^
- DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done Cartt.ca, April 16, 2015, retrieved April 16, 2015^
- Changes to Kids Channels VMedia, August 21, 2015, retrieved August 26, 2015^
- It's #HereForReal Canada! Corus Entertainment Launches Disney Channel in 10 Million Households Corus Entertainment, September 1, 2015, retrieved September 2, 2015^
- DHX TELEVISION'S REBRANDED FAMILY JR. AND TÉLÉMAGINO NETWORKS REVEALED TODAY DHX Media, retrieved September 18, 2015^
- Disney XD & Disney Junior to Roll Out in Canada Next Month WorldScreen, retrieved December 1, 2015^
- Corus Entertainment Inc. – Licence renewals for English-language television stations and services May 15, 2017^
- List of Exempt Category B and Exempt Third-Language Services www.crtc.gc.ca, retrieved 11 January 2022^
- Corus to pull plug on some kids channels amid financial pressure Cartt.ca, 2025-07-10, retrieved 2025-07-14^
- TV Schedule for Disney Junior Canada TV Passport, retrieved 2025-08-31^