Family Jr.

Family Jr.
Launched November 30, 2007
Owned by DHX Media
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
(2013–present)
480i (SDTV)
(2007–present)
Country Canada
Language English
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Formerly called Playhouse Disney (2007–2011)
Disney Junior (2011–2015)
Sister channel(s) Family Channel
Télémagino
Family Chrgd
Website Family Jr.
Availability
Satellite
Bell TV Channel 549 (SD)
Shaw Direct Channels 538 / 167 (SD)
Channel 74 / 574 (HD)
Cable
Available on most Canadian cable systems Check local listings, channels may vary
IPTV
FibreOP Channel 259 (SD) Channel 504 (HD)
Bell Fibe TV Channel 549 (SD) Channel 1549 (HD)
MTS Channel 158 (SD)
SaskTel Channel 133 (SD)
Telus Optik TV Channel 9603 (SD)
Channel 603 (HD)
VMedia Channel 68 (SD)

Family Jr. is a Canadian English-language Category B specialty hybrid premium/digital cable and satellite television channel that is owned and operated by DHX Media. Launched on November 30, 2007 as a multiplex channel of Family, it airs programming aimed at preschool-aged children. The channel previously operated under Disney's preschool television brands, including Playhouse Disney and later Disney Junior, but was later rebranded as a preschool spinoff of Family on September 18, 2015, following the acquisition of Canadian rights to Disney's children's programming library by Corus Entertainment.

Unlike Family, which operates both Eastern and Pacific Time Zone feeds, Family Jr. has only one national feed operating from the Eastern Time Zone. Along with its French-language counterpart, Télémagino, it is available in over 4 million Canadian households as of 2013.[1]

History

The channel originally launched as Playhouse Disney on November 30, 2007; as Family is licensed as a premium service which allows for the addition of multiplex channels that are consistent with the network's licence (which dictates that it provide a service with programming aimed at youth aged 17 and younger), no additional licence was required to launch the service, and the channel would be offered at no additional charge to television providers who already carry Family Channel.[2][3]

A French-language version, originally known as Playhouse Disney Télé, was launched on July 5, 2010. Unlike the English version, it operates under a separate Category B license.[4] On May 6, 2011, the network was re-launched under Disney's new preschool television brand Disney Junior.[5]

Following the sale of Astral Media to Bell Media, Disney Junior and its sister networks (including its French-language version, as well as Family and Disney XD) were divested to meet regulatory requirements surrounding the merger. On November 28, 2013, DHX Media announced it would acquire the four channels for $170 million, pending CRTC approval.[6][7] On July 24, 2014, the CRTC approved DHX's purchase of the networks,[8][9] and the deal was closed on July 31, 2014.[10][11]

On April 16, 2015, it was announced that Corus Entertainment had acquired rights to Disney's children's television library and brands, succeeding a previous license agreement with DHX. Corus stated that following the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel, it would re-launch Disney's other linear children's television brands in Canada in the future. In anticipation for this transition, DHX concurrently announced that its Disney-branded networks would be re-branded as spin-offs of Family Channel; Disney Junior was re-branded as Family Jr. on September 18, 2015. Corus's Disney Junior service launched on December 1, 2015.[12][13][14][15][16]

Programming

Current programming

Upcoming programming


Former programming

Disney Junior (Canada)

These shows are now being aired on the resurrected Canadian Disney Junior channel.

  • Doc McStuffins
  • Handy Manny
  • Henry Hugglemonster
  • Jake and the Never Land Pirates
  • Little Einsteins
  • Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
  • Miles from Tomorrowland
  • Sheriff Callie's Wild West
  • Sofia the First
  • Special Agent Oso

Short series

Related services

Family Jr. HD

On May 1, 2013, a high definition simulcast of Family Jr.'s (as Disney Junior) standard definition feed was launched. It is available on Eastlink, Rogers Cable, Shaw Direct, and Telus Optik TV.

Family Jr. On Demand

Family Jr. On Demand is a video on demand service featuring programming from Family Jr, available to subscribers of Family and Family Jr.. Family Jr. (as Disney Junior) launched its own On Demand channel on May 6, 2011. [23]

Family Jr. Go

Family Jr. Go is a service available on the App Store and Google Play Store. It is available to television customers of Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct. It shows new and old episodes of Family Jr. programming.

References

  1. ↑ "Family Channel | Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD Available on Free Preview in March". Newswire.ca. 2013-03-01. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
  2. ↑ Playhouse Disney splashes out for Canuck launch, KidScreen, 1 November 2007
  3. ↑ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-386, CRTC, 2002-11-28
  4. ↑ "Broadcasting Decision 2006-98". CRTC. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  5. ↑ Disney/ABC Television Group Announces Disney Junior, a New 24-Hour Channel for Preschoolers and Their Families, The Futon Critic, May 26, 2010
  6. ↑ "DHX Media to buy Family, other children’s channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media". The Globe and Mail (Toronto). November 28, 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "DHX Media receives CRTC approval on $170M acquisition of Family Channel and three other children’s channels". DHX Media. July 24, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  9. ↑ Vessing, Etan (July 24, 2014). "DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  10. ↑ "DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes". Canada Newswire. July 31, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-388". CRTC. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "Changes to Kids Channels". VMedia. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Changes to our youth programming". Videotron. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "DHX TELEVISION’S REBRANDED FAMILY JR. AND TÉLÉMAGINO NETWORKS REVEALED TODAY" (Press release). DHX Media. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  15. ↑ "DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done". Cartt.ca. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  17. ↑ http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/dhx-television-offers-family-channel-networks-on-free-preview-beginning-today-570647381.html
  18. ↑ http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCSGrid.do?stnNum=59119
  19. 1 2 "Family Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior put the "all" into Fall with stellar 2014 programming lineup". newswire.ca. CNW. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  20. ↑ http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCSGrid.do?stnNum=59119
  21. ↑ http://kidscreen.com/2016/03/30/dhx-media-announces-pre-miptv-greenlights/
  22. ↑ "THE FUTURE IS BLASTASTIC! MILES FROM TOMORROWLAND PREMIERES FEBRUARY 21 ON DISNEY JUNIOR". DHX Media. Toronto. February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Family Jr. On Demand". FamilyJr.Ca.

External links

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