Disney Channel is a Latin American pay television network broadcasting throughout Hispanic America and Brazil. It was officially launched on July 27, 2000 as a premium-label channel in Hispanic America, and also in Brazil back on April 5, 2001, and became a basic pay TV network in 2004.
It is available using four different feeds, each with various programming schedules and timings. It is mostly marketed to children; however, in recent years the range of viewers has expanded to include an older audience. Disney Channel is operated by Disney Media Networks Latin America and owned by The Walt Disney Company Latin America, both of which are originally from The Walt Disney Company.
History[]
In July 2000, while Disney Channel in the United States changed its "premium television" label to "basic" subscription TV network, the channel was launched in Latin America using the same graphical branding as Disney Channel in Europe, created by GÉDÉON, but with most of the same programming as the US version (some differences were abound). In the beginning, the network's broadcast was divided in two feeds": North feed, aimed towards Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and South feed, aimed towards South America (excluding Brazil), each with different programming schedules. Disney Channel also launched its first original production, Zapping Zone, with hosts bringing news and introducing the Disney Channel Original Series to the audience.
On April 5, 2001, a Brazilian feed was also launched, replacing Disney Weekend, a weekend-only broadcast channel; it began at around 8:00pm, coinciding the premiere of The Lion King, as it now broadcasts every single day.
In 2004, Anne Sweeney, a veteran cable executive, took control of Disney–ABC Television Group and changed the design from the channels worldwide. On that same year, Disney Channel became a "basic" cable channel and used the 2002 look of Disney Channel U.S. Along with the new look, the channel started to air new series, mainly focused on teenagers and placing the original animated cartoons in earlier schedules. In the morning schedule, Playhouse Disney was aired with programming for children aged 2–7.
In 2005, the network became one of the most viewed channels in the region, premiering Disney Channel Original Series such as That's So Raven and Phil of the Future.
A fourth feed, known as the Central feed, was created and was broadcast on Colombia, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean, broadcasting from Colombia and using the Colombian time zone.
In 2006, very successful series and films such as Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls, High School Musical and Jump In! premiered.
In July 2007, the channel rebranded its graphical package to a more "hip" look, using the "Ribbon" branding of the US Disney Channel.
On June 1, 2008, The Walt Disney Company Latin America launched Playhouse Disney (currently Disney Junior, a preschool-oriented channel focused solely on programming for young children aged 2 to 7. A few months later, Playhouse Disney was also launch in Brazil, exclusively for TVA & Telefónica TV Digital subscribers
On November 1, 2009, Disney Channel launched its fifth feed, the Pacific feed, aimed at Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia and employed the Chilean time zone. In that same date, the network renewed schedules, idents and promos in all of its feeds. On August 20, 2010, a new logo was introduced. On December 2, 2012, Disney Channel Latin America launched its own HD channel, simulcasting the Central feed.
On July 28, 2014, Disney Channel rebranded its graphical package with the new look unveiled in Germany on January 17, 2014, and in the US on May 23, 2014.
On August 2, 2016, the channel changes its aspect ratio to 16:9 on all its standard definition signals and begins broadcasting most of its programming in widescreen. However, the on-screen logo remained in 4:3. On December 14, the on-screen logo in the channel's standard signals finally adapts to the 16:9 aspect ratio and is relocated to the left corner of the screen, similar to the position of its variant in Spain.
In 2016, Disney Channel HD turns into an independent channel with its own schedules, with promos now using three time zones (Mexico, Colombia and Argentina times). However, in 2019, all feeds launch their HD simulcasts, with the original HD channel turning into a high-definition simulcast of the Central feed again.
On May 1, 2021, the South +1 signal ceases its transmissions at 6:00 am, and is replaced by the original South signal in Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador without delay. Argentina continues to be the head of the South signal and the programming continues to be broadcast based on its time zone, but the times shown on the screen correspond to those of Argentina and Chile.
On April 1, 2022 Its sister channel Disney XD was shut down in the region; as well as Disney Junior in Brazil, all in favor for the streaming service Disney+.
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