Disney Jr. is a Canadian English-language discretionary specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment which launched on December 1, 2015. It is a localized version of the U.S. network of the same name operated under license from Disney Branded Television, a division of The Walt Disney Company which broadcasts animated programming aimed at children and preschoolers ages 2 to 8.
 Logo used since 2024 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Corus Entertainment (Branding licensed from Disney Branded Television) |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | December 1, 2015 |
| Former names | Disney Junior (2015–24) |
| Links | |
| Website | Disney Jr. Canada |
History
Prior to September 18, 2015, DHX Media (now WildBrain) operated Disney Junior-branded television services in Canada in the English and French languages as spin-offs of Family Channel since May 6, 2011. In April 2015, Corus acquired Canadian rights to Disney Channel's programming and associated brands. Upon the announcement of the rights deal, Corus stated that it would launch "select Disney branded kids linear television offerings" in the future, after the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel.[1][2][3][4]
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 re-branded as Family Jr. and Télémagino on September 18.[7]
Corus's 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 is no French-language counterpart, however, Disney La Chaîne offers the morning programming block Disney Junior sur La Chaîne Disney to carry network programming in the French language.
On April 21, 2018, the network aired its first film, The Lion King (1994), and has continued to air films since then, such as Cars, Cars 2, and Finding Nemo.
In December 2022, Disney Junior was Added to StackTV, Along with Disney Channel and Disney XD.
Programming
As of November 2024[update]:[11]
Current
Original programming
Animated series
| Title | Premiere date | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ariel | June 29, 2024 | |
| Firebuds | September 24, 2022 | |
| Kindergarten: The Musical | September 7, 2024 | |
| Mickey Mouse Funhouse | August 22, 2021 | |
| Pupstruction | June 17, 2023 | |
| Spidey and His Amazing Friends | August 7, 2021 | |
| Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures | May 4, 2023 | |
| SuperKitties | January 12, 2023 |
Acquired programming
| Title | Premiere date | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluey | October 4, 2020 | |
| Morphle and the Magic Pets | June 7, 2024 |
Acquired from Treehouse TV
| Title | Premiere date | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe | August 28, 2023 |
Reruns of ended series
Original programming
| Title | Premiere date | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Sofia the First | December 1, 2015 – August 31, 2019 September 1, 2023 (current run) |
|
| Puppy Dog Pals | April 23, 2017 |
Acquired programming
| Title | Premiere date | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|
| The Berenstain Bears | September 3, 2016 – August 30, 2018 May 29, 2023 (current run) |
|
| Maggie and the Ferocious Beast | March 10, 2023 | |
| Mike the Knight | January 1, 2018 – March 9, 2023 May 29, 2023 (current run) |
|
| Trucktown | September 1, 2018 | |
| The ZhuZhus | November 20, 2017 |
Former
Original programming
| Title | Premiere date | Finale date | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doc McStuffins | December 1, 2015 November 6, 2020 |
September 1, 2020 September 1, 2021 |
[8] [a] |
| Elena of Avalor | July 23, 2016 | September 1, 2020 | |
| Goldie & Bear | December 1, 2015 | September 1, 2019 | |
| Handy Manny | December 1, 2015 | August 31, 2016 | |
| Henry Hugglemonster | December 1, 2015 | August 26, 2017 | |
| Jake and the Never Land Pirates | December 1, 2015 | August 28, 2017 | [12] |
| The Lion Guard | January 17, 2016 | September 1, 2020 | |
| Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | December 1, 2015 | September 1, 2019 | |
| Miles from Tomorrowland | December 1, 2015 | September 1, 2019 | |
| The Rocketeer | November 10, 2019 | August 30, 2020 | |
| Sheriff Callie's Wild West | December 1, 2015 | August 28, 2017 | [12] |
| Special Agent Oso | December 1, 2015 | August 31, 2016 | |
| Imagination Movers | December 1, 2015 | August 31, 2016 | |
| Vampirina | October 7, 2017 | August 28, 2021 | |
| Fancy Nancy | July 14, 2018 | August 29, 2022 | |
| Muppet Babies | March 23, 2018 | August 29, 2022 | |
| The Chicken Squad | May 16, 2021 | August 19, 2022 | |
| Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures | January 21, 2017 | August 29, 2022 | |
| Eureka! | June 25, 2022 | June 11, 2023 | |
| Mira, Royal Detective | March 22, 2020 | September 1, 2023 | |
| Alice's Wonderland Bakery | February 12, 2022 | August 30, 2024 | |
| T.O.T.S. | June 22, 2019 September 1, 2023 |
August 29, 2022 August 31, 2024 |
Acquired programming
| Title | Premiere date | Finale date | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! | August 15, 2020 | May 26, 2023 | |
| Chuggington | January 23, 2017 July 5, 2021 |
January 1, 2021 May 26, 2023 |
|
| Dinopaws | August 28, 2017 | December 30, 2018 | |
| Gigantosaurus | January 19, 2019 | September 1, 2023 | |
| Guess with Jess | December 1, 2015 December 5, 2016 |
September 2, 2016 December 30, 2016 |
|
| Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs | January 6, 2020 | August 15, 2020 | |
| Jane and the Dragon | December 1, 2015 | September 2, 2016 | |
| Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes | March 25, 2023 | September 1, 2024 | |
| Little Charmers | December 31, 2018 | August 31, 2024 | |
| My Big Big Friend | September 1, 2018 | February 25, 2019 | |
| My Friend Rabbit | December 1, 2015 | August 30, 2018 | |
| Pikwik Pack | January 14, 2022 | August 28, 2023 | |
| The Remarkable Mr. King | September 11, 2021 | August 27, 2023 | |
| PJ Masks | February 7, 2016 | September 1, 2024 | [b] |
| Rolie Polie Olie | December 1, 2015 | August 30, 2018 | |
| Timothy Goes to School | September 3, 2016 | August 27, 2017 | |
| Willa's Wild Life | December 1, 2015 | August 30, 2018 | |
| Zigby | January 2, 2017 | May 28, 2017 |
Notes
References
- ^ "Corus Entertainment and Disney/ABC Television Group Join Forces in Landmark Licensing Agreement" (Press release). Corus Entertainment. CNW Group. April 16, 2015. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
- ^ "DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ a b "Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. 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" (Press release). Toronto: Corus Entertainment. September 1, 2015. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ "DHX TELEVISION'S REBRANDED FAMILY JR. AND TÉLÉMAGINO NETWORKS REVEALED TODAY" (Press release). DHX Media. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- ^ a b "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. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ TV Schedule for Disney Junior Canada HD
- ^ a b "Disney Junior". disneychannel.ca Buzz Blog. Corus Entertainment. November 1, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.[permanent dead link]