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Disney Killing One Cable Network, Adding a New One

May 27, 2010  •  Post A Comment

In a surprise move, the Disney/ABC Television Group announced that it will be shuttering one of its cable networks that’s in 75 million homes, and adding a new one to replace it.

Disappearing as of 2012 will be SOAPnet, to be replaced by Disney Junior. Disney Junior will basically be a full-time version of Playhouse Disney, which is currently available on the Disney Channel. Like Playhouse Disney, Disney Junior will be targeted to children 2 to 7, and have a learning element to its programming.

According to the release, "Prior to the launch of the 24-hour channel, the Disney Junior brand will be introduced on Disney Channel’s daily programming block for preschoolers (currently branded Playhouse Disney)."

Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, said in a statement, ""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."

To read the complete official announcement, click here.

12 Comments

  1. Weird. Mothers at home like the soaps when their rug rats are at rest which apparently isn’t often enough.
    I’m not one of them, but I know them and they ain’t gonna like this move one bit.
    What does this actually accomplish? Giving mothers more time to dump the younguns before the electronic babysitter?

  2. If Disney made SOAPnet On Demand that would be better than dropping it altogether. Not everyone has a DVR or tivo. Not everyone has kids or kids who would watch Disney Junior. I like being able to see my soaps at night when I can’t watch them during the day. I’d rather watch One Life to Live than LOST!
    just sayin’!

  3. Are you nuts, the only time I get to watch them is at night as I work during the day and do not have a DVR or tivo, so thank you disney, just one more reason to not belive in your future, we need another channel for the kids like we need a hole in our head.

  4. Now Disney and its advertisers will be able to brainwash your kids 24/7 from an even younger age.
    Disney Rules of Life:
    Pink is for girls.
    Blue is for boys.
    Girls are soft and pretty. Only valued for their appearance.
    Boys are tough and strong. Only valued for their ability to kick ass and blow shit up.
    No wonder we’re all in trouble…

  5. Is 24 hour programming really necessary for kids? My kids are 7 and 2 and I guarantee you that they will never be up in the middle of the night watching television.

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