| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Network | Disney-ABC Television Group Preschool Programming Block |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company, Buena Vista |
Playhouse Disney is the brand name for Disney Channel's preschool programs, often airing as its own channel outside the United States. The target age for this segment of the channel is from age 4-8. The brand name was rolled out in 1997 when Disney Channel moved from premium cable to basic cable. It is the main competitor to Nick Jr. in most countries and PBS Kids in the United States and Canada.
History
Playhouse Disney started on the Disney Channel on May 8, 1997. On September 9, 2002, Playhouse Disney re-launched with a new logo, and had an animated yellow clay ball named Clay, who's catchphrase was, "Are you with me?" The previous programming announcer was actress Allyce Beasley, best known for her role as Agnes DiPesto on Moonlighting, and also as Miss Grotke on Recess. On January 1, 2007, it received substantial upgrades to their on-air show, and Clay was replaced by two monkey hosts, Ooh, Aah & You.
Every summer since 2007, usually starting sometime in May, Playhouse Disney's end time on weekdays airs only four hours. Disney Channel original series are aired over this time slot during the change of lineup. On weekends, Playhouse Disney still airs six hours. This has changed from 4 AM until 9 AM EST Monday-Friday, as of 2010. This has been confirmed by Merlot Andalso, who added: "It's also this way on weekends on the Disney Channel block."
Programming
Playhouse Disney broadcasts weekends from 4:00 AM to 9:00 AM ET, and from 4:00 AM to 2:00 PM on weekdays. Two separate sechedules run; a weekday schedule and a different schedule on Saturdays and Sundays. The schedule features 22-minute standard length shows, interspersed with short 3-5 minute shorts and music videos. Introducing each show are two monkey puppets, Ooh and Aah. Between these times, there are no commercials played during Playhouse Disney (though Disney Channel, being a commercial-free cable channel, does not air regular commercials anyway), though short "promotional spots" do run every so often, such as often seen on PBS.[1] (Between 4:00 and 6:00, when Playhouse Disney programs air under the regular Disney Channel branding, there are commercials for Disney properties as there are for other Disney Channel programs.)
Disney Junior
Sometime in January 2011 Disney will be rebranding the block as Disney Junior, in preparation to launch a 24/7 network for it sometime in January 2012 which will replace Disney's SOAPnet channel, which has a subscriber base of 75 million viewers.[2][3]
The first program that will air for the upcoming Disney Junior is titled either Doc McStuffins or Toad Patrol.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "Playhouse Disney schedule". Retrieved 2007-10-28.
- ^ Disney Junior to Replace SOAPnet in 2012, Deadline Hollywood, May 26, 2010
- ^ SOAPnet Will Go Dark to Make Way for Disney Junior, Entertainment Weekly, May 26, 2010
- ^ "Doc McStuffins" Set for Disney, Variety.com, June 24, 2010