Disney Channel has arrived in Canada thanks to a license agreement signed earlier this year between Corus Entertainment and Disney/ABC Television Group.
Carriage deals with distribution partners such as Bell Aliant, Rogers, Shaw and TELUS will ensure that the network is made available in 10 million Canadian homes by tomorrow. The channel will feature a range of world premieres throughout the week, among them debut episodes of Jessie, Girl Meets World and Austin & Ally.
Corus’s deal with Disney coincided with DHX Media’s announcement in April that it would be phasing out the Disney branding on its specialty channels, rebranding them under the Family Channel umbrella. Because of this, both Disney Junior and Disney XD series will now find a home on the newly launched Disney Channel.
“We are thrilled to partner with all of our distributors who recognize the power and value of the Disney Channel brand,” said Maria Hale, the executive VP and head of content distribution and pay television at Corus Entertainment. “The network will offer subscribers an extensive slate of world-class content which will be delivered across multiple platforms.”
“We’re excited about the enthusiasm for Disney Channel’s debut in Canada,” said Colin Bohm, the executive VP and head of Corus Kids. “For the first time, Canadian kids and families can look forward to the full Disney Channel experience with an exceptional lineup of Disney stars, world premieres and day-and-date airings.”
