Launched 17 December 2004 Country India | Picture format 576i (4:3 SDTV) | |
Language English
Hindi
Telugu
Tamil Broadcast area India
Nepal
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Sri Lanka Sister channel(s) Bindass
Bindass Play
Disney Junior (India)
Disney XD (India)
Hungama TV
UTV Movies
UTV Action | ||
Disney Channel is an Indian television channel owned by the Indian division of The Walt Disney Company, specialising in television programming for children through original series, movies and third-party programming. The channel was officially launched on December 17, 2004. Originally positioned towards kids, Disney Channel had recently launched a slew of new TV shows airing on weekends that were aimed at the whole family. The channel is very popular among kids and teens in India and had consistently ranked as the number one kids' channel in the country until 2012.
Contents
Disney Channel is available as a pay-TV channel on most cable and satellite TV providers. The channel is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is the first kids' and teens' channel to cross 200+ GRPs for five years. It is available in English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil, although many shows broadcast on the channel are only available in Hindi.
History and availability
Before the launch of the channel, a Disney-branded programming block used to air on Sony TV, known as "Disney Hour" and "Disney Mornings". When the channel was finally launched, the first TV providers to carry it were Star Plus and Zee TV. Currently, Disney Channel is available across all major DTH and cable platforms in India, especially Tata Sky, Dish TV, BigTV, and Airtel. On digital cable services, it is available on DEN Networks, Hathway and Sea TV.
Disney Junior
Playhouse Disney started airing in 2006, as a block on Disney Channel. On 4 July 2011, it was replaced by Disney Junior, which eventually became a 24-hour channel focused on kids. It is available on various DTH and cable operators.
Programming
At first, the programming of the channel consisted on Disney's original shows imported from the US, such as Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Sonny with a Chance, The Suite Life on Deck, Jonas LA and Phineas and Ferb.
In 2006, the channel launched its first locally produced series called Vicky Aur Vetaal. Since then, the network's programming consisted of even more local productions such as Agadam Bagdam Tigdam, Dhoom Machaao Dhoom, Break Time Masti Time, Kya Mast Hai Life, and Ishaan. In 2010, an Indian version of Art Attack was produced and broadcast. Eventually, American shows such as Hannah Montana and The Suite Life on Deck were pulled off from the channel's schedule. Doraemon, an Hungama TV venture, started to be aired on the channel.
In 2011, Disney Channel premiered Best of Luck Nikki, a local version of Good Luck Charlie. The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir (adaptation of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody), Disney Q Family Mastermind (adaptation of Mastermind India), Shake It Up (the localised adaptation of the American Shake It Up series), and Oye Jassie (adaptation of Jessie) were also produced for the network. Currently, the only American shows airing are Phineas and Ferb, Gravity Falls (which Season 2 is yet to air), and the Mickey Mouse shorts.
Currently, the network only airs its own-produced remakes of American Disney shows or locally produced Indian shows.