Disney Channel (Spain)

{{Short description|Defunct Spanish free-to-air television network aimed at kids}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{For|the Spanish-language Disney Channel in the Americas|Disney Channel (Latin America)}}

{{Infobox television channel

| name = Disney Channel (Spain)

| logo = DisneyChannelEMEA.svg

| logo_caption = Final logo used from 1 July 2022 to 7 January 2025

| launch_date = {{plainlist|

{{start date and age|df=y|1998|4|17}} (pay television)
{{start date and age|df=y|2008|7|1}} (terrestrial television)

}}

| closed_date = {{end date and age|df=y|2025|1|7}}{{cite web | url=https://www.eldiario.es/vertele/noticias/exclusiva-disney-channel-cierre-canal-adios-dejara-emitirse-espana-inicios-2025-27-anos-historia-tv_1_11851955.amp.html | title=Adiós a Disney Channel: dejará de emitirse en España a inicios de 2025 tras 27 años de historia en nuestra TV | website=ElDiario }}

| language = Spanish (dubbing/subtitles)
English

| picture_format = 1080i HDTV

| owner = The Walt Disney Company Iberia S.L.
Disney Branded Television (Disney Entertainment) (license)
Net TV (playout)

| country = Spain

| area = Spain
Andorra

| headquarters = Calle de José Bardasano Baos, Madrid, Spain

| replaced = Fly Music (on DTT)

| replaced_by = Disney+ (on Streaming Services)
Squirrel (on DTT)

| sister_channels = Disney Jr. (Spain)
Disney Channel (Portugal)
Disney Jr. (Portugal)

| website = {{url|tv.disney.es}}

| availability_note =

| terr_serv_1 = Digital terrestrial television

| terr_chan_1 = Channel 23 (Madrid, HD)

}}

Disney Channel was a Spanish terrestrial television channel owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company Iberia and is based on the original U.S. subscription channel of the same name.

It was originally launched on 17 April 1998 as a pay television channel, aimed at kids and teenagers. In 2001, a timeshift feed of the channel was launched, named Disney Channel +1, broadcasting the same content as the main feed with a one-hour delay. In 2008, it became the first Disney Channel in the world to broadcast free-to-air after being launched on Spain's digital terrestrial television platform nationwide.{{Cite web |last=FormulaTV |title=Disney Channel comienza a emitir en abierto a través de la TDT |url=https://www.formulatv.com/noticias/8038/disney-channel-comienza-a-emitir-en-abierto-a-traves-de-la-tdt/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=FormulaTV |language=es |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706130837/https://www.formulatv.com/noticias/8038/disney-channel-comienza-a-emitir-en-abierto-a-traves-de-la-tdt/ |url-status=live }} This set a precedent for The Walt Disney Company for the potential launch of the network on free-to-air television on other countries, which was later carried out in Russia, Turkey and Germany, in that order.

A HD feed of Disney Channel was launched in December 2011 but it was restricted to subscription television providers. It only launched on DTT in 2024 after the Spanish government ordered TV broadcasters to remove their SD feeds on the platform and exclusively broadcast in HD.

History

Disney Channel Spain was launched in 1998, when The Walt Disney Company and Sogecable (now Prisa TV) made an agreement to distribute a Spanish version of the Disney Channel on the satellite platform Canal Satélite Digital. The channel began broadcasting on 17 April 1998. The channel carried local-made shows and Disney's animation library, as well as acquired content. From September 1998 it started airing {{lang|es|El rincón mágico}}, a pre-school program. In November 1998 it premiered {{lang|es|La Liga Disney Channel}}, a football-themed gameshow.{{cite news |last1=Gallo |first1=Isabel |title=Disney Channel refuerza su programación de otoño con un concurso sobre fútbol |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1998/09/11/radiotv/905464802_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=11 September 1998 |language=es-es}} A Spanish version of the British show Art Attack, hosted by Jordi Cruz, was also produced and broadcast, among others.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

In February 1999, the channel had 100,000 subscribers.{{cite news |title=Disney Channel alcanza los cien mil abonados |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1999/02/19/radiotv/919378808_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=19 February 1999 |language=es-es}} In September 1999, Disney Channel Spain adopted Disney Channel UK's "Circles" logo and ident set created by GÉDÉON. On 16 November 2001, Disney launched three more channels: a timeshift channel, called Disney Channel +1, Toon Disney and Playhouse Disney (later Disney Junior). Toon Disney's schedule was meant to air exclusively Disney animation, while Playhouse was a channel for a preschool audience.{{cite news |title=Disney lanza tres nuevos canales infantiles |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2001/10/30/radiotv/1004396401_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=30 October 2001 |language=es-es}} El rincón mágico was replaced by Playhouse Disney in 2001; filming of specialized segments started in June 2001 from the Madrid complex, which was shared between the five European versions available at the time.{{cite news |last1=Vazquez |first1=Maria |title=Disney Channel produce en España un programa infantil para Europa |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2001/07/18/radiotv/995407203_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=18 July 2001 |language=es-es}} At the time of its fourth anniversary, the channel had 1,130,000 subscribers and a market share of 34% among the 4-14 demographic.{{cite news |title=Cuarto aniversario del Canal Disney |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2002/04/17/radiotv/1018994403_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=17 April 2002 |language=es-es}} Its local production increased in September with {{lang|es|Zona Disney}} (replacing {{lang|es|Zona 7}}) (with the 'a' in Zona rendered with an @ symbol), the fifth season of {{lang|es|La Liga Disney}} and the local version of Art Attack, as well as the acquired series Howdy Gaudi, created for the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Antoni Gaudí. From the United States came Kim Possible, The Proud Family and acquired series Jackie Chan Adventures.{{cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Fernando |title=Disney Channel aumenta esta temporada la producción española |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2002/09/23/radiotv/1032732004_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=23 September 2002 |language=es-es}}

In 2003, the channel premiered a TV adaptation of Zipi y Zape produced by BRB Internacional, as part of Disney Channel's pledge to support local animation.{{cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Fernando |title=Disney Channel estrena la primera aventura televisiva de Zipi y Zape |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2003/02/22/radiotv/1045868403_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=22 February 2003 |language=es-es}} In September 2003, La Primera ported {{lang|es|Zona Disney}} to compete with Telecinco's {{lang|es|Max Clan}}. The TVE version included a segment called {{lang|es|Retro-Zapping}}, with footage from TVE's own children's productions from its archives, as well as the FTA premiere of Kim Possible.{{cite news |last1=Gallo |first1=Isabel |last2=Baragaño |first2=Techu |title=TVE amplía su oferta infantil con un concurso cultural y 'Zona Disney' |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2003/09/19/radiotv/1063922402_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=19 September 2003 |language=es-es}} In October, a new game show from the Madrid studios premiered on the channel, {{lang|es|Enigma animal}}, with Jordi Cruz presenting short reports on a given species. The format tested viewers' knowledge about Spanish fauna, and gave the viewers the chance to search on the internet.{{cite news |last1=Baragaño |first1=Techu |title='Enigma animal', nuevo concurso de Disney Channel |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2003/10/23/radiotv/1066860001_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=23 October 2003 |language=es}} For Christmas, a contract was signed with the National Reading Plan giving viewers further incentives to read books, in the commercial breaks of Disney's channels.{{cite news |title=Los canales de Disney fomentarán la lectura |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2003/12/16/radiotv/1071529201_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=16 December 2003 |language=es-es}}

American Dragon: Jake Long premiered in early 2005 as part of the main {{lang|es|Zona Disney}} strand.{{cite news |title='American dragon', nueva serie de dibujos de Disney Channel |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2005/01/31/radiotv/1107126005_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=31 January 2005 |language=es-es}} In December 2005, the channel started airing tips on healthy eating, after a protocol signed with the Ministry of Health.{{cite news |title=Disney Channel incluye en su programación consejos de alimentación saludable |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2005/12/08/radiotv/1133996401_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=8 December 2005 |language=es-es}} The success of High School Musical prompted Cuatro to buy the FTA rights for the movie, airing in November 2006, two months after its Disney Channel premiere.{{cite news |title=Cuatro emitirá el popular telefilme juvenil 'High school musical' |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2006/10/06/radiotv/1160085601_850215.html |work=El Pais |date=6 October 2006 |language=es-es}}

In February 2008, the Walt Disney Company Iberia (TWDCI) decided to buy 20% stake in digital terrestrial television multiplex operator Sociedad Gestora de Televisión Net TV.{{cite news|language=es|title=Disney adquiere el 20% de NET TV y tendrá canal propio|url=http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/6803/disney-adquiere-el-20-de-net-tv-y-tendra-canal-propio/|access-date=10 April 2016|work=Formula TV|date=13 February 2008|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604102746/http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/6803/disney-adquiere-el-20-de-net-tv-y-tendra-canal-propio/|url-status=live}} Translation: [https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/6803/disney-adquiere-el-20-de-net-tv-y-tendra-canal-propio/&usg=ALkJrhjkhgFv7mELy9lmTuxe4ZKALsJ6kQ Disney acquires 20% of NET TV and will own channel]. After the purchase, Net TV was owned by Vocento (55%), Intereconomía Group (25%) and TWDCI (20%). In late May 2008, TWDCI announced the launch of Disney Channel replacing Net TV's Fly Music as a digital over-the-air channel on 1 July 2008.{{cite news|language=es|title=Disney Channel will be free through DTT|url=http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/7696/disney-channel-se-vera-gratis-a-traves-de-la-tdt/|access-date=10 April 2016|work=Formula TV|date=28 May 2008|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604092714/http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/7696/disney-channel-se-vera-gratis-a-traves-de-la-tdt/|url-status=live}} [https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/7696/disney-channel-se-vera-gratis-a-traves-de-la-tdt/&usg=ALkJrhiOzg0k09NbSoYe4W6a5q82FuvWYQ Translation].{{Cite web |date=2019-05-28 |title=Adiós Fly Music, hola Disney Channel – TVlia |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528111352/https://tvlia.com/2008/07/adios-fly-music-hola-disney-channel |archive-url=https://tvlia.com/2008/07/adios-fly-music-hola-disney-channel |archive-date=2019-05-28 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=}} Similarly, on the same day, Toon Disney became Disney Cinemagic, like the British and French versions did two years before.

On 1 May 2010, Disney Channel Spain started broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen. Disney Channel has launched its new App logo on 20 June 2011. The website was also revamped. In 2012 a service called Disney Replay was introduced. It airs full episodes of series. The Phineas and Ferb episode "Knot My Problem" first premiered on this service on 10 June 2013. In November 2013 the site was changed again as per the other European Disney Channels.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

Disney Channel +1 was gradually discontinued over the course of the 2010s, being mostly replaced with Disney Channel HD. The channel was permanently discontinued on 9 March 2017, after being removed from Vodafone TV, in favor of 7 days rewind features built into the TV boxes.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

In December 2012, Disney Channel attracted a 31.5% share in the 4-12 demographic. The series finale of Wizards of Waverly Place attracted a 34.7% share in the above demographic in March 2012, at least 1.8 million viewers of all demographics contacted with the episode for at least one second.{{cite news |title=Disney Channel se hace mayor |url=https://elpais.com/cultura/2013/04/15/television/1366038553_494049.html |work=El Pais |date=15 April 2013 |language=es-es}}

By the end of 2014, Disney Cinemagic closed its doors in Spain. Eventually a spiritual successor would be launched in the form of Movistar Disney, a channel exclusive to the pay-TV operator Movistar Plus. The channel was launched on 22 December 2017, and closed by the end of March 2020, due to the launch of Disney+ in Spain, alongside Disney XD.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

On 23 December 2021, it was announced that Disney had sold its 20% on Net TV to Squirrel Media, who acquired Vocento's 55% a few weeks prior.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-23 |title=Squirrel compra a Disney el 20% de Net TV |url=https://www.mundoplus.tv/tv-digital/squirrel-compra-a-disney-el-20-de-net-tv/ |access-date=2021-12-23 |website=MundoPlus.tv |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825122626/https://www.mundoplus.tv/tv-digital/squirrel-compra-a-disney-el-20-de-net-tv/ |url-status=live }} This has led to speculation about Disney Channel in Spain potentially closing, or at least leaving terrestrial television in Spain, just like what has happened with other versions of the channel worldwide since the launch of Disney+, despite the channel continuing to broadcast on Spanish DTT.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

On 19 January 2024, it was announced that the DTT signal of Disney Channel Spain would upgrade from its 576i resolution to 1080p on 14 February 2024, due to the shutdown of SD signals on terrestrial television in Spain on that same day.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=Disney Channel emitirá sólo en HD por TDT desde el 14 de febrero |url=https://www.mundoplus.tv/tv-digital/disney-channel-emitira-solo-en-hd-por-tdt-desde-el-14-de-febrero/ |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=MundoPlus.tv |archive-date=21 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121224844/https://www.mundoplus.tv/tv-digital/disney-channel-emitira-solo-en-hd-por-tdt-desde-el-14-de-febrero/ |url-status=live }}

On 27 November 2024, VerTele reported that the channel would be removed from terrestrial platforms on 7 January 2025.

The channel shut its broadcasts down in Spain after 26 years and 8 months on the air because Disney Iberia could not reach new agreements with Net TV to continue operating the channel in the respective country. Its content can still be seen through Disney+ and its official YouTube channel.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZkQjzvLSi4 |title=Gracias por formar parte de Disney Channel ❤️ {{!}} @disneychannelES |date=2024-12-16 |last=Disney Channel España |access-date=2025-01-04 |via=YouTube}} Its sister channel Disney Jr. continues to broadcast on pay TV, similar to its Turkish counterpart.{{cite news |last1=Pérez |first1=Laura |date=2024-11-27 |title=Adiós a Disney Channel: dejará de emitirse en España a inicios de 2025 tras 27 años de historia en nuestra TV |trans-title=Goodbye to Disney Channel: it will stop broadcasting in Spain at the beginning of 2025 after 27 years of history on our TV |url=https://www.eldiario.es/vertele/noticias/exclusiva-disney-channel-cierre-canal-adios-dejara-emitirse-espana-inicios-2025-27-anos-historia-tv_1_11851955.html |access-date=2024-11-27 |work=El Diario |language=es-es}}{{Cite news |date=2024-11-28 |title=Disney to stop airing Disney Channel on Spanish DTT |url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/disney-to-stop-airing-disney-channel-on-spanish-dtt--1520573 |url-access=registration |access-date=2024-11-29 |work=Telecompaper |language=en}} The channel's final day on air was marked by a nine-hour special featuring several landmark episodes and some series finales, before ceasing to broadcast at midnight on 7 January 2025, after airing the Hannah Montana finale episode Wherever I Go.{{cite news |last1=Martín-Vázquez |first1=P. |date=4 January 2025 |title=Disney Channel dice adiós en España: 'Hannah Montana' y 'Phineas y Ferb', protagonistas en su despedida |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/television/programas-tv/2025-01-04/disney-channel-adios-espana-hannah-montana-phineas-y-ferb_4036701/ |work=El Confidencial |language=es-es}}{{cite web |title=Programación Disney TV España |url=https://tv.disney.es/programacion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106110432/https://tv.disney.es/programacion |archive-date=6 January 2025 |website=Disney España |language=es-es}}{{cite web |title=Disney Channel España - Cierre de transmisiones (7 de Enero de 2025) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAk8ct_-T2Y |website=YouTube}} On DTT, its frequencies were then taken over by Squirrel.{{Cite web |last=Rodríguez |first=Luis Quintela |date=2025-01-07 |title=El adiós de Disney Channel abre la puerta a un nuevo canal de cine, ya en emisión: así es Squirrel |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/television/programas-tv/2025-01-07/adios-disney-channel-nuevo-canal-cine-squirrel_4037728/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}} After its closure on linear TV, a live stream (limited to Spain) appeared on its YouTube channel.{{cite news |last1=Corpas |first1=Javier |title=La Razón te enseña como seguir disfrutando de Disney Channel gratis en España |url=https://www.larazon.es/television/programas/razon-ensena-como-seguir-disfrutando-disney-channel-gratis-espana_202501126783f9cdbc785b000178d0c8.html |work=La Razón |date=12 January 2025 |language=es-es}}