Playhouse Disney was an international group of television channels for very young children. It was an American brand of programming blocks and is a satellite television channel that is presented on international cables. It was initiated in the United States as a morning program block on the Disney Channel. These channels aim to entertain children from 3 to 5 years old. Its programs contained both animated series and live-action.
Disney Playhouse
A television channel with the name Playhouse Disney was also a 24 hours broadcasting channel, but it was not in the United States. The Playhouse Disney channel was started in the United States on February 14, 2011, while in Russia it was opened in September 2013. The Playhouse Disney blocks and channels rebranded in the name of Disney Junior on February 14, 2011. Here, you will come to know about some important features of Playhouse Disney and will take an overview of the journey from Playhouse Disney to Disney Junior and then the latest product of the Disney+.
1. Journey from Playhouse Disney to Disney Junior
2. Sponsorship and ownership
3. How to watch old Disney Playhouse shows
4. End of Disney channels worldwide
5. Programming of Disney playhouse
6. Overseas Format
1. Journey from Playhouse Disney to Disney Junior
In the US, the Disney playhouse block on the Disney channel was rebranded on May 26, 2010, with the name Disney Junior. Disney Junior was launched as a 24 hours channel and in the United States; it replaced the Disney-owned SOAPNet. Playhouse Disney as a block on the Disney channel worked for 14 years and ended on February 13, 2011. On the very next day, Disney Junior originated and started working in the place of Disney Playhouse. The majority of the programs that were part of Disney Playhouse moved over to the Disney Junior and their episode was airing without delay.
2. Sponsorship and Ownership
The Playhouse Disney which was rebranded as Disney Junior was owned by Walt Disney Company, its headquarters were established in Burbank, California, and United States. From 1997 to 1999 it was known as Disney Channel Preschool Block. Disney Channel Disney XD is known as its sister network, and presents the programs for young children. From 2016 to 2018 It was sponsored by Huggies Pull-Ups. Similarly, the other prominent sponsors according to time are “McDonald’s”, sponsored from 2002-2006 “Chuck E. Cheese’s” whose sponsorship lasted from 2007-2009, and “Best Western” sponsored for two years from 2008-2010.
3. How to watch old Disney Playhouse shows
The old Disney shows on Disney Playhouse were very popular among children of that era. Although after the rebranding, kids of the 90s still are missing the nostalgic effects of these shows. For example, “Out of the Box” which was broadcasted on Disney Playhouse for three seasons from 1998 to 2002 attracted the attention of the 90s children. Now “Out of the Box” was streaming on the Disney+.
4. End of Disney channels worldwide
In 2019, certain countries closed the Disney channels just to focus on one channel Disney+. Disney junior was discontinued on February 15, 2018, and replaced by Disney+.
5. Programming of Disney playhouse
After the rebranding of Disney Junior, it continued to broadcast the future episode of famous programs among children like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Imagination Movers and Little Einsteins. Some other most popular programs among children were Bear in the Big Blue House which was a family comedy-drama, PB&J Otter, Sing Me a Story with Belle, Rolie Polie Olie, The Wiggles, The Little Mermaid and so on.
6. Overseas Format
The format of the international version of playhouse Disney was completely different from the version of the United States. For instance, the countries like the United Kingdom and Australia use the in-vision format rather than the out-of-vision format. In this format, the participants present certain activities in a large house named Playhouse and attract their viewers to watch and take part in them. Some other activities outside of the house were also presented using different formats.
Conclusion
The Playhouse Disney block was a group of television channels that can be watched internationally. It was launched on April 6, 1997, and closed on February 13, 2011. Thus, it became Disney Junior and can be seen worldwide. The owner of Disney channels worldwide was Walt Disney Company and it originated in the United States. The purpose of Disney channel programming is to entertain and educate young children through comedy shows, funny dramas and many other animated and live-action series. Its overseas format is a bit different from the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Disney Playhouse now?
It was rebranded with the name of Disney Junior block on Disney Channels on February 14, 2011.
- What is Disney Junior called now?
The change occurred on September 28, 2017, when the Disney Channel app was launched as DisneyNOW. This was the combination of Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD and Radio Disney. Disney Junior stopped its broadcasting on February 15, 2018.
