Disney Jr. (UK & Ireland)
Disney Jr., previously known as Playhouse Disney and Disney Junior, is a British and Irish preschool pay television channel that initially ran from 29 September 2000 to 1 October 2020, and again from 13 November 2025. Owned by the Walt Disney Company Limited with branding obtained from Disney Channels Worldwide unit of Disney's Disney–ABC Television Group division, the channel focuses on preschool programming. The channel was rebranded as Disney Junior on 7 May 2011. It originally closed on 30 September 2020 due to the launch and re-focus of Disney+ in the region; however, it relaunched on Sky's television platforms on 13 November 2025.
History
Early programming efforts
When Disney Channel changed its programming focus in 1997, a preschool block titled "Disney Channel Underfives" was launched to fill its morning schedule.On 1 September 1999, the time slot was given its own distinct identity and live-action continuity to match Disney Channel's rebranding. Initially, this branding still used standard Disney Channel branding but was rebranded as Playhouse Disney sometime in 2000, marking the first time the brand expanded outside the United States. The presenter-led links, fronted by Dave Benson Phillips and Alex Lovell, featured the two presenting links through "the Playhouse" during continuity.
Launch as a dedicated channel (2000)
On 30 May 2000, it was announced by a Disney Television International representative that three new channels would launch on Sky Digital later on in the year - Disney Channel +1, Toon Disney, and a standalone Playhouse Disney network. The three channels launched on 29 September 2000 as add-ons to the standard Disney Channel, being available as a single multiplex package or included with the Sky Movies pack. With the channel being exclusive to Sky at the time, the Playhouse Disney block continued to broadcast on Disney Channel during school-term weekdays.Playhouse Disney, alongside the other two multiplex networks, were added to NTL from 7 December 2001, and eventually launched on Telewest on 3 December 2003. Following these launches, the Playhouse Disney block reduced its hours of programming featured and was eventually removed altogether in July 2004.
In April 2004, a nighttime block, "PJ's Bedtime" was added to the channel.
Transition to standard network (2006-2011)
On 28 February 2006, Disney Media Networks and BSkyB announced that Playhouse Disney, along with its sister channel Disney Channel would transition from premium add-ons to basic television packages such as Sky's "Kids Mix" beginning on 16 March, and that a new sister channel, Disney Cinemagic, would take over Disney's premium offerings, replacing Toon Disney. The transition of Playhouse Disney to a basic network led to a significant broadcast share increase of 83% by July. The Playhouse presentation format hosted by Big Dave and Little Alex remained until late August 2006, while the PJ's Bedtime strand remained until late November 2007.In June 2006, a Playhouse Disney block was added to the morning schedule of ABC1. It was removed after Disney shut down ABC1 in September 2007. ABC1's slot itself on Sky would be used to launch a 25-minute timeshift of Playhouse Disney, which was added on 30 October, and launched on 3 November.
Rebrand as Disney Junior (2011)
On 29 January 2011, it was announced that Playhouse Disney would rebrand as Disney Junior on 7 May, as part of a worldwide rebranding. On the date of the rebrand, the channel transitioned to airing in a 16:9 widescreen ratio.On 21 February 2013, Sky and Disney Channels Worldwide announced that a high-definition simulcast of Disney Junior would launch on Sky in May.
In September 2017, Disney XD +1 was temporarily rebranded as a pop-up channel titled Mickey and Pals, which aired various programming from Disney Junior.