Disney Channel to close in UK as all content moves to streaming service Disney+

Streaming service Disney+ launched in March

Disney is set to close all their children’s TV channels in the UK in a bid to move customers to Disney+.

Disney’s paid-for kids’ channels, including Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior, will be removed from UK TV at the end of September after the company failed to reach a new deal with Sky and Virgin Media.

A Disney spokesperson said: “From 1 October, Disney+ will become the exclusive home for content from Disney Channel, DisneyXD and Disney Junior in the UK.

They continued: “Walt Disney Company remains committed to our kids channels business,” adding that the company plans to “execute distribution agreements for Disney channels in many markets where Disney+ is also available”.

Disney’s other channels, including National Geographic and Fox, will remain on UK TV.

The Disney Channel first aired in the UK in 1995 and over the years has been the home to some of the network’s most famous shows, including That’s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire and Hannah Montana.

Streaming service Disney+ launched in the UK in 2020 as part of the network’s move to digital content.

Disney+ features a back catalogue of Disney shows that previously aired on their channels, as well as exclusive programmes such as The Mandalorian and Disney Channel spin-off High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

The video platform recently scrapped their seven-day free trial period ahead of the release of Frozen 2 and Hamilton.