Family Jr.

Family Jr.
Launched	November 30, 2007
Owned by	DHX Media
Picture format	1080i (HDTV) (2013–present) 480i (SDTV) (2007–present)
Country	Canada
Language	English
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Formerly called	Playhouse Disney (2007–2011) Disney Junior (2011–2015)
Sister channel(s)	Family Channel Télémagino Family Chrgd
Website	Family Jr.
Availability
Satellite
Bell TV	Channel 549 (SD)
Shaw Direct	Channels 538 / 167 (SD) Channel 74 / 574 (HD)
Cable
Available on most Canadian cable systems	Check local listings, channels may vary
IPTV
FibreOP	Channel 259 (SD) Channel 504 (HD)
Bell Fibe TV	Channel 549 (SD) Channel 1549 (HD)
MTS	Channel 158 (SD)
SaskTel	Channel 133 (SD)
Telus Optik TV	Channel 9603 (SD) Channel 603 (HD)
VMedia	Channel 68 (SD)

Family Jr. is a Canadian English-language Category B specialty hybrid premium/digital cable and satellite television channel that is owned and operated by DHX Media. Launched on November 30, 2007 as a multiplex channel of Family, it airs programming aimed at preschool-aged children. The channel previously operated under Disney's preschool television brands, including Playhouse Disney and later Disney Junior, but was later rebranded as a preschool spinoff of Family on September 18, 2015, following the acquisition of Canadian rights to Disney's children's programming library by Corus Entertainment.

Unlike Family, which operates both Eastern and Pacific Time Zone feeds, Family Jr. has only one national feed operating from the Eastern Time Zone. Along with its French-language counterpart, Télémagino, it is available in over 4 million Canadian households as of 2013.

History

The channel originally launched as Playhouse Disney on November 30, 2007; as Family is licensed as a premium service which allows for the addition of multiplex channels that are consistent with the network's licence (which dictates that it provide a service with programming aimed at youth aged 17 and younger), no additional licence was required to launch the service, and the channel would be offered at no additional charge to television providers who already carry Family Channel.

A French-language version, originally known as Playhouse Disney Télé, was launched on July 5, 2010. Unlike the English version, it operates under a separate Category B license. On May 6, 2011, the network was re-launched under Disney's new preschool television brand Disney Junior.

Following the sale of Astral Media to Bell Media, Disney Junior and its sister networks (including its French-language version, as well as Family and Disney XD) were divested to meet regulatory requirements surrounding the merger. On November 28, 2013, DHX Media announced it would acquire the four channels for $170 million, pending CRTC approval. On July 24, 2014, the CRTC approved DHX's purchase of the networks, and the deal was closed on July 31, 2014.

On April 16, 2015, it was announced that Corus Entertainment had acquired rights to Disney's children's television library and brands, succeeding a previous license agreement with DHX. Corus stated that following the launch of a Canadian version of Disney Channel, it would re-launch Disney's other linear children's television brands in Canada in the future. In anticipation for this transition, DHX concurrently announced that its Disney-branded networks would be re-branded as spin-offs of Family Channel; Disney Junior was re-branded as Family Jr. on September 18, 2015. Corus's Disney Junior service launched on December 1, 2015.

Programming

Current programming

• Bananas in Pyjamas (February 19, 2013–present)
• Bob the Builder (December 5, 2015–present)
• Curious George (September 18, 2015–present)
• Franny's Feet (May 6, 2011–September 1, 2014; August 31, 2015–present)
• In the Night Garden (April 11, 2016–present)
• Julius Jr. (May 2, 2015–present)
• Justin Time (September 16, 2012–present)
• Kate and Mim-Mim (September 5, 2015–present)
• Lalaloopsy (September 27, 2014–present)
• Little People (March 14, 2016–present) based on the Little People toys
• Messy Goes to Okido (April 9, 2016–present)
• Playdate (October 3, 2015–present)
• Rainbow Ruby (April 23, 2016–present)
• Sarah & Duck (July 7, 2014–present)
• The Save-Ums! (May 24, 2015–present)
• Stella and Sam (May 6, 2011–present)
• Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures (May 6, 2011–present)
• Teletubbies (December 19, 2015–present)
• Thomas & Friends (May 24, 2015–present)
• Tickety Toc (April 23, 2012–present)
• Topsy and Tim (September 5, 2015–present)
• Twirlywoos (September 5, 2015–present)
• Waybuloo (April 16, 2016–present)
• Yo Gabba Gabba! (September 5, 2015–present)
• Yup Yups (September 16, 2013–present)

Upcoming programming

• Space Ranger Roger (TBA)

Former programming

• Bear in the Big Blue House (May 6, 2011–May 25, 2012; September 3, 2012–September 30, 2013)
• Bunnytown (May 6, 2011–May 2012)
• Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot (May 6, 2011–June 30, 2012)
• Doc McStuffins (April 8, 2012–August 30, 2015)
• DuckTales (October 2011–September 30, 2013)
• Gerald McBoing-Boing (May 6, 2011–July 31, 2011)
• Handy Manny (May 6, 2011–August 7, 2014)
• Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs (May 6, 2011–August 28, 2014)
• Henry Hugglemonster (April 21, 2013–January 1, 2016)
• Henry's World (May 6, 2011–September 27, 2013)
• Higglytown Heroes (May 6, 2011–September 30, 2013)
• Imagination Movers (May 6, 2011–August 30, 2015)
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates (May 6, 2011–December 1, 2015)
• Johnny and the Sprites (May 6, 2011–September 2, 2012)
• JoJo's Circus (May 6, 2011–September 1, 2013)
• Jungle Junction (May 6, 2011–August 30, 2015)
• Katie and Orbie (May 6, 2011–December 31, 2012)
• Little Einsteins (May 6, 2011–January 1, 2016)
• The Little Mermaid (September 16, 2013–August 31, 2014)
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (May 6, 2011–September 17, 2015)
• Miles from Tomorrowland (February 21, 2015–August 30, 2015)
• Out of the Box (July 1, 2011–August 31, 2012; December 31, 2012–August 31, 2014)
• The Secret World of Benjamin Bear (May 6, 2011–August 30, 2015)
• Sheriff Callie's Wild West (February 2, 2014–December 1, 2015)
• Sofia the First (January 19, 2013–August 31, 2015)
• Special Agent Oso (May 6, 2011–January 1, 2016)
• Stanley (May 6, 2011–September 27, 2013)
• Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! (May 6, 2011–June 30, 2015)

Disney Junior (Canada)

These shows are now being aired on the resurrected Canadian Disney Junior channel.

• Doc McStuffins
• Handy Manny
• Henry Hugglemonster
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates
• Little Einsteins
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Miles from Tomorrowland
• Sheriff Callie's Wild West
• Sofia the First
• Special Agent Oso

Short series

• Adventures in Nutrition with Captain Carlos
• The Bite-Sized Adventures of Sam Sandwich
• Can You Teach My Alligator Manners?
• Choo-Choo Soul
• Dance-a-Lot Robot
• Feeling Good with JoJo!
• Franny's Treasures
• Handy Manny's School for Tools
• Happy Monster Band
• Jake's Buccaneer Blast
• Lou and Lou: Safety Patrol
• Mickey Mousekersize
• Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Minnie's Bow-Toons
• Muppet Moments
• Nina Needs to Go!
• A Poem Is...
• Quiet Is...
• Shane's Kindergarten Countdown
• Shanna's Show
• Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps
• Tales of Friendship with Winnie the Pooh
• Tasty Time with ZeFronk
• Where Is Warehouse Mouse?

Related services

Family Jr. HD

On May 1, 2013, a high definition simulcast of Family Jr.'s (as Disney Junior) standard definition feed was launched. It is available on Eastlink, Rogers Cable, Shaw Direct, and Telus Optik TV.

Family Jr. On Demand

Family Jr. On Demand is a video on demand service featuring programming from Family Jr, available to subscribers of Family and Family Jr.. Family Jr. (as Disney Junior) launched its own On Demand channel on May 6, 2011.

Family Jr. Go

Family Jr. Go is a service available on the App Store and Google Play Store. It is available to television customers of Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct. It shows new and old episodes of Family Jr. programming.

External links

• Official website