Disney Junior was a British and Irish pay television kids' TV channel that was owned by Disney–ABC Television Group that focused on preschool programming. It was launched on 29 September 2000 as Playhouse Disney. The channel was rebranded as Disney Junior on 7 May 2011, it later ceased broadcasting on 30 September 2020.
History
Early programming efforts
When Disney Channel changed its programming focus in 1997, "Disney Channel Underfives" was launched to fill its morning schedule.
On September 28, 1999, the time slot was given its own distinct identity and live-action continuity. By 2000, it had become Playhouse Disney, introducing that branding for the first time outside of the United States. The two main presenters were Dave Benson Phillips and Alex Lovell (referred to as Big Dave and Little Alex), presenting programming from the appropriately titled Playhouse.
Launch as a dedicated channel
On September 29, 2000, Disney Television International launched Playhouse Disney as a standalone channel alongside Toon Disney and Disney Channel +1 on the Sky Digital platform. Since the channel was exclusive to Sky Digital at this time, the Playhouse Disney block continued to broadcast on Disney Channel during school-term weekdays. Playhouse Disney was later launched on NTL and Telewest in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The Playhouse Disney block later reduced its hours of programming featured and was eventually disposed of in July 2004. The Playhouse presentation format hosted by Big Dave and Little Alex remained until late August 2006.
Transition to standard network
On 28 February 2006, Disney Media Networks and BSkyB announced that Playhouse Disney, in addition to its sister channel Disney Channel would cease as premium add-ons and transition to basic TV packages such as Sky's "Kids Mix" beginning on March 16, and that a new sister channel - Disney Cinemagic would take over Disney's premium offerings, replacing Toon Disney. The transition of Playhouse to a basic network led to a significant broadcast share increase of 83% by July.
In June 2006, a Playhouse Disney block was added to the morning schedule of ABC1. It was removed after Disney ceased transmission of ABC1 in September 2007. ABC1's slot itself on Sky would be used to launch a 25-minute timeshift of Playhouse Disney, which was added on 30 October, and launched on 3 November.
Rebrand as Disney Junior
On 29 January 2011, it was announced that Playhouse Disney would rebrand as Disney Junior on 7 May, as part of a worldwide rebranding. On the date of the rebrand, the channel transitioned to airing in a 16:9 widescreen ratio.
On 21 February 2013, Sky and Disney Channels Worldwide announced that a high-definition simulcast of Disney Junior would launch on Sky in May.
In September 2017, Disney XD +1 was turned into a pop-up channel titled Mickey and Pals, which aired various programming from Disney Junior.
Closure
Disney Junior, along with its sister channels Disney XD and Disney Channel, closed in the UK on 30 September 2020, after 20 years on-air. The closure was previously announced on 25 June that year; all of the channels' content were transferred to Disney's streaming service, Disney+. Virgin Media removed the channels a day before their closure on 29 September, with CBBC and CBeebies taking over the network's former Sky EPG slots on 1 October.