Disney Junior Basic Cable & Satellite Channel Set to Launch Friday, March 23, 2012, in the U.S.
Highlighted by Hits Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, New Channel will introduce Doc McStuffins, New Editions of A Poem Is… And a Magical World of Disney Junior Movie Block
Learning and Development Curriculum Guided by Council of Leading Academics
Disney Junior, a 24-hour basic cable/satellite channel expressly for kids age 2-7 and their parents/caregivers, will launch FRIDAY, MARCH 23 (12:00 midnight, ET/PT) in the U.S., joining 28 other Disney Junior channels around the world. The announcement was made today at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, California, by Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. Disney Junior was introduced as a daily programming block on Disney Channel in February 2010 and, year to year, its ratings are up 26% among Kids 2-5 and 36% among Boys 2-5.
The popular Disney Junior daily programming block will continue on Disney Channel while the new 24 hour channel will fulfill parents’ demands for quintessentially Disney programming throughout the day. The Disney Junior channel will be available via major cable and satellite providers Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Bright House Networks and Verizon, among others. Additional information regarding Disney Junior is available at DisneyJuniorTheChannel.com.
Marsh said: “This marks the beginning of a sea change in the ‘preschool plus’ television landscape. The response to our Disney Junior programming block has been extremely positive from both our affiliate partners and our viewers’ parents. On March 23, when it launches as a stand-alone channel, our audience will have the opportunity to experience an engaging, learning-focused and uniquely Disney destination on a 24-hour basis.”
Disney Junior invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. A council of academic advisors comprising experts in the fields of child development, transmedia, storytelling, early education and creativity will guide Disney Junior’s learning and development curriculum.
Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, said: “Disney Junior series each have specific curriculum experts and now, to maximize overall learning value, we are deepening our conversation to include a channel advisory council that will share research and knowledge in the world of education and bring important perspectives on innovations in early childhood learning.”
The 24 hour Disney Junior schedule will include daily telecasts of Jake and the Never Land Pirates (the #1 series among Boys 2-5 for 2011) and the hit series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It will also introduce the animated series Doc McStuffins at launch, and will feature new editions of the acclaimed short-form series A Poem Is… and a weekend movie block, Magical World of Disney Junior. New interstitials featuring Disney heritage characters, including Sebastian and Flounder from The Little Mermaid, Mrs. Potts and Chip from Beauty and the Beast, and pups Lucky and Pepper 101 Dalmatians, will also debut.