Family Jr.
Country | Canada |
---|---|
Network | Family |
Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Ownership | |
Owner | WildBrain |
Family Jr. is a multiplex channel of the Canadian specialty channel called Family Channel. Launched on November 30, 2007, it broadcasts programming aimed at preschool-aged children.
The channel previously operated under Disney's preschool television brands, including Playhouse Disney and later Disney Junior, but adopted the Family Jr. brand in 2015 following the acquisition of Canadian rights to Disney Junior by Corus Entertainment (who relaunched its own Canadian version as a separate service).
Along with its French-language counterpart, Télémagino, it is available in over 4 million Canadian households as of 2013.[1] As it is a multiplex channel of Family Channel, the service is distributed at no additional charge to its subscribers.
History
As Playhouse Disney and Disney Junior
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.
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.[2]
On May 6, 2011, the networks were re-launched under Disney's new preschool television brand Disney Junior.[3]
Following the sale of Astral Media to Bell Media, the two Disney Junior services and their sister networks were put up for sale to relieve concerns over Bell's market share following the merger. On November 28, 2013, DHX Media announced it would acquire the two Disney Junior services and their sister networks for $170 million, pending CRTC approval.[4][5] On July 24, 2014, the CRTC approved DHX's purchase of the networks,[6][7] and the deal was closed on July 31, 2014.[8][9]
As Family Jr.
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. On December 1, 2015, Corus launched a replacement Disney Junior-branded channel.[10][11][12][13][14]
Programming
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2017) |
Current programming
Canadian productions
- Caillou (February 5, 2018–present)
- Chip and Potato (October 15, 2018–present)
- Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (September 4, 2017–present)[15]
- Dinotrux (September 16, 2017–present)[16]
- Elias: Rescue Team Adventures (July 3, 2017–present)[17][18]
- Justin Time (September 16, 2012–present)[19][20][21]
- Kate & Mim-Mim (September 5, 2015–present)[22]
- Kody Kapow (May 14, 2018–present)
- Little People (March 14, 2016–present)[23]
- Mack & Moxy (June 9, 2018–present)
- Mighty Mike (April 1, 2019–present)
- Pajanimals (September 4, 2017–present)
- Playdate (October 3, 2015–present)[24]
- Polly Pocket (July 8, 2018–present)
- Rainbow Ruby (April 23, 2016–present)[25][26]
- Rev & Roll (September 2, 2019–present)[27]
- Space Ranger Roger (January 9, 2017–present)[28]
- Super Why! (November 7, 2016–present)[29]
- Yup Yups (September 16, 2013–present)
Acquired programming
- ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks (June 18, 2017–present)[30]
- Bob the Builder (December 5, 2015–present)[31]
- Care Bears: Unlock the Magic (October 7, 2019)[32]
- Curious George (September 18, 2015–present)[33]
- Grizzy and the Lemmings (March 24, 2018–present)
- In the Night Garden... (April 11, 2016–present)
- Messy Goes to Okido (April 9, 2016–present)[34]
- Noddy, Toyland Detective (May 15, 2017–present)[35]
- Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures (May 6, 2011–present)[36]
- Sunny Bunnies (July 2, 2018–present)
- Teletubbies (December 19, 2015–present)[37]
- Topsy and Tim (September 5, 2015–present)
- Twirlywoos (September 5, 2015–present)
Former programming
- Bananas in Pyjamas (February 19, 2013–February 2017)
- Bear in the Big Blue House (May 6, 2011–September 30, 2013)
- Bunnytown (May 6, 2011–2012)
- Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot (May 6, 2011–June 30, 2012)
- Doc McStuffins (April 8, 2012–August 30, 2015)
- DuckTales (October 2011–September 30, 2013)
- Franny's Feet (May 6, 2011–February 4, 2018)[38]
- Gerald McBoing-Boing (May 6, 2011–July 31, 2011)[39]
- Handy Manny (May 6, 2011–August 7, 2014)
- Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs (May 6, 2011–August 28, 2014)[citation needed]
- Henry Hugglemonster (April 21, 2013–January 1, 2016)
- Henry's World (May 6, 2011–January 5, 2016)
- Higglytown Heroes (May 6, 2011–September 30, 2013)
- Imagination Movers (May 6, 2011–August 30, 2015)
- Jake and the Never Land Pirates (May 6, 2011–December 1, 2015)
- Johnny and the Sprites (May 6, 2011–September 2, 2012)
- JoJo's Circus (May 6, 2011–September 1, 2013)
- Julius Jr. (May 2, 2015–June 29, 2018)
- Jungle Junction (May 6, 2011–August 30, 2015)
- Katie and Orbie (May 6, 2011–February 8, 2016)
- Lalaloopsy (September 27, 2014–August 28, 2016)
- Little Einsteins (May 6, 2011–January 1, 2016)
- The Little Mermaid (September 16, 2013–August 31, 2014)[40]
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (May 6, 2011–September 17, 2015)
- Miles from Tomorrowland (February 21–August 30, 2015)
- Nature Cat (July 1, 2016–July 1, 2019)
- Out of the Box (July 1, 2011–August 31, 2014)
- Sarah & Duck (July 7, 2014–September 1, 2019)[41][42]
- The Save-Ums! (May 24, 2015–September 1, 2018)[43]
- The Secret World of Benjamin Bear (May 6, 2011–August 30, 2015)
- Sheriff Callie's Wild West (February 2, 2014–December 1, 2015)
- Sofia the First (January 19, 2013–August 31, 2015)
- Special Agent Oso (May 6, 2011–January 1, 2016)
- Stanley (May 6, 2011–September 27, 2013)
- Stella and Sam (May 6, 2011–September 1, 2016)
- Thomas & Friends (May 24, 2015–August 31, 2018)[44]
- Tickety Toc (April 23, 2012–July 30, 2018)
- Waybuloo (April 16, 2016–September 1, 2018)
- Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! (May 6, 2011-June 30, 2015)
- YaYa and Zouk (July 4, 2016–September 1, 2019)
- Yo Gabba Gabba! (September 5, 2015–September 1, 2019)
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. (as Disney Junior) launched its own On Demand channel on May 6, 2011.[45]
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 and is part of the Family app.
References
- ^ "Family Channel | Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD Available on Free Preview in March". Newswire.ca. March 1, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
- ^ "Broadcasting Decision 2006–98". CRTC. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ Disney/ABC Television Group Announces Disney Junior, a New 24-Hour Channel for Preschoolers and Their Families, The Futon Critic, May 26, 2010
- ^ "DHX Media to buy Family, other children's channels". Toronto Star. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ "DHX to acquire Family Channel, three others from Bell Media". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ "DHX Media receives CRTC approval on $170M acquisition of Family Channel and three other children's channels". DHX Media. July 24, 2014. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ Vessing, Etan (July 24, 2014). "DHX Media approved for Family Channel takeover". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "DHX Media closes Family Channel acquisition and announces management changes". Canada Newswire. July 31, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
- ^ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-388". CRTC. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
- ^ "Changes to Kids Channels". VMedia. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- ^ "Changes to our youth programming". Videotron. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- ^ "DHX TELEVISION'S REBRANDED FAMILY JR. AND TÉLÉMAGINO NETWORKS REVEALED TODAY" (Press release). DHX Media. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- ^ "DHX-Disney Divorce Almost Done". Cartt.ca. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Corus gains Canadian rights to Disney Channel content". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood–FamilyJr.ca". Family Jr. DHX Media. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ "Dinotrux–FamilyJr.ca". Family Jr. DHX Media. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ Family Jr. [@FamilyJr_TV] (July 2, 2017). "Don't miss the premiere of Elias: Rescue Team Adventures tomorrow at 4:50pm ET!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Elias: Rescue Team Adventures". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Astral's Disney Junior to premiere Justin Time". Kidscreen.com. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Justin Time". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Justin Time–Distribution & Sales–Guru Studio". Gurustudio.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Kate & Mim-Mim". Familyjr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Little People". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "FAMILY JR. SETS A PLAYDATE FOR OCTOBER 3–DHX Media". Dhxmedia.com. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Rainbow Ruby". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Rainbow Ruby set for Canadian premiere". Kidscreen.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ "DHX, Alpha Group get revved up for new series". Kidscreen. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- ^ "Space Ranger Roger". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Super WHY!". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks–FamilyJr.ca". Family Jr. DHX Media. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
- ^ "Bob the Builder". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ https://www.familyjr.ca/shows/care-bears-unlock-the-magic/
- ^ "Curious George". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Messy Goes to OKIDO". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Noddy, Toyland Detective". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures Reaches Disney Jr Canada • ToonBarn". ToonBarn. January 10, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ "Teletubbies". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Franny's Feet". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20101217091059/http://www.playhousedisney.ca/en/shows/gerald-mcboing-boing
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20130925120116/http://www.disneyjunior.ca:80/en/schedule
- ^ Sarah & Duck [@Sarah_and_Duck] (July 7, 2014). "We're really excited to be on in Canada on @DisneyJuniorCA! Let us know if you saw us for the first time today!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Sarah and Duck". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "The Save-Ums!". FamilyJr.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Thomas & Friends". FamilyJr.ca. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Family Jr. On Demand". FamilyJr.Ca. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2015.