Disney Jr. (Canada)

This article is about a Canadian television channel that is operated by Corus Entertainment and launched on December 1, 2015. For the Canadian English-language channel formerly known as Disney Junior, see Family Jr. For the French-language channel previously known as Disney Junior, see Télémagino.

Disney Jr.
Logo used since 2024
CountryCanada
Broadcast areaNationwide
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerCorus Entertainment
(branding licensed from Disney Branded Television)
Sister channels
History
LaunchedDecember 1, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-12-01)
Former namesDisney Junior (2015–24)
Links
WebsiteDisney Jr. Canada

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.

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 January 2025:[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

Upcoming

Original programming

Animated series
Title Premiere date Source(s)
Robogobo January 18, 2025

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

  1. ^ Season 4 only
  2. ^ Season 6 “PJ Masks: Power Heroes” only

References

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  4. ^ "DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done". Cartt.ca. April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  5. ^ "Changes to Kids Channels". VMedia. August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ a b "Disney XD & Disney Junior to Roll Out in Canada Next Month". WorldScreen. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Corus Entertainment Inc. – Licence renewals for English-language television stations and services". May 15, 2017.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ TV Schedule for Disney Junior Canada HD
  12. ^ a b "Disney Junior". disneychannel.ca Buzz Blog. Corus Entertainment. November 1, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]