Disney/ABC Television Group has announced a new Disney Channel for preschoolers and their families called “Disney Junior.” The channel is set to debut in the United States in 2012 and is branded towards children ages 2-7.
Some shows that have already been announced for the channel include:
- “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”
- “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”
- “Handy Manny”
- “Special Agent Oso”
- “Imagination Movers”
- “Jungle Junction”
It has also been announced that the channel will play a number of Disney movies.
In the United States the new channel Disney Junior will take the place of the SOAPnet channel. Also, before it’s launch, Disney Junior will be introduced to kids on the Disney Channel during the Playhouse Disney programming block.
Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, said:
The launch of Disney Junior in the U.S. is the next step in our global preschool strategy, which began 10 years ago with the premiere of our first dedicated preschool channel in the UK. The decision to ultimately transition SOAPnet to accomplish this was not arrived at lightly. SOAPnet was created in 2000 to give daytime viewers the ability to watch time-shifted soaps, before multiplatform viewing and DVRs were part of our vocabulary. But today, as technology and our businesses evolve, it makes more sense to align this distribution with a preschool channel that builds on the core strengths of our company.
Carolina Lightcap, president, Disney Channels Worldwide, said:
Around the world, our Disney-branded channels are burgeoning, distinguished by the special place Disney has in the hearts of kids — who delight in our characters and stories — and parents who trust our commitment to entertaining and helping their preschoolers, kids and tweens grow through engaging, relevant programming. By adding a dedicated U.S. channel for preschoolers to our global portfolio, we look forward to enhancing that sense of magical storytelling and parental trust, and expanding our offerings, locally and globally, from morning to night, to deliver more Disney-quality content that will resonate with generations to come.
Outside of the United States 22 Playhouse Disney channels and time blocks will be rebranded as Disney Junior in 2011.
Source: Disney/ABC Television Group
Playhouse Disney Live is headed to the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial in New York on Sunday, March 4th for two shows.
In the performance, Mickey Mouse is planning a party for all of his friends at the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so the Little Einsteins set off on a million around the world to find the perfect song for the party while the characters from the Hundred Acre Wood search for their missing tunes and Handy Manny and his friends find the perfect party beat!
Sounds to us like this will be a music and dance filled performance great for all ages!
Tickets for the show range from $15-$75 and can be found at www.ticketmaster.com
Let us know if you check out the show!
Virgin Atlantic has partnered with The Walt Disney Company UK to bring a number of children’s programs to the airlines television channels.
Starting next month, Virgin Atlantic will be playing shows from:
- Disney Channel
- Playhouse Disney
- Disney XD
Some of the shows will be:
- Hannah Montana
- Wizards of Waverly Place
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
- Phineas And Ferb
- Handy Manny
- Zeke And Luther
The Head of In-Flight Services for Virgin Atlantic, Simon Soni, said about the partnership:
“We are delighted to team up with Disney Channels, who we feel produce some of the best children’s programming around today. It’s a great brand association for us and a fantastic opportunity for our passengers to see top kids’ television as part of our award-winning in flight entertainment line-up.”
General Manager of the Disney Channels in UK and Ireland, Boel Ferguson, said:
“Disney Channels UK is thrilled to partner with Virgin Atlantic and to be involved with such an innovative platform. We look forward to bringing our compelling array of content to Virgin Atlantic’s young passengers.”
Source: www.traveldaily.co.uk
