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{{Short description|International pay television kids network}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Toon Disney
| logo = ToonDisney.svg
| logo_size = 175px
| logo_caption =
| launch_date = {{Start date |1998|4|18}}
| closed_date = {{End date|2009|2|12}}
| picture_format = [[720p]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])<br />[[480i]] ([[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])
| owner = [[Disney Channels Worldwide]] ([[Disney-ABC Television Group]])
| country = United States
| language = English and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (via [[Second audio program|SAP]] audio track) {{small|(United States)}}
| headquarters = {{plainlist|
* [[Burbank, California]], U.S.
}}
| replaced_by = [[Disney XD]]
| website =
| sister_channels = [[Disney Channel]]<br />[[Playhouse Disney]]
| timeshift_service =
}}

'''Toon Disney''' was an American multinational [[pay television]] channel owned by [[Disney Channels Worldwide]], a subsidiary of [[Disney-ABC Television Group]]. The channel's target audience was children ages 2–11,<ref name="ks2">{{cite news|last1=Kirchdoerffer|first1=Ed|date=April 1, 1998|title=A Salute to Disney Channel: Drawing up Toon Disney|work=Kid Screen.com|url=http://kidscreen.com/1998/04/01/21322-19980401/|access-date=March 4, 2014}}</ref> and children ages 6–13 during the [[Jetix]] programming block.

A spin-off of [[Disney Channel]], the channel's programming mostly included [[list of animated television series|animated series]], shorts and features from Disney, as well as acquired programs.

==History==
Toon Disney was launched on April 18, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]], in honor of [[Disney Channel]]'s 15th anniversary by [[Disney Channels Worldwide|Disney/ABC Networks]] on digital tiers of [[DirecTV]], [[Marcus Cable]] and [[EchoStar]]. The first program to air on the network was ''[[Fantasia (1940 film)|The Sorcerer's Apprentice]]'' (1940). At 7:00 p.m. ET that day, Toon Disney launched a block called "The Magical World of Toons". The block originally featured Disney animated features, specials and shorts. Over the next five months, Toon Disney furthered its programming to cable subscribers such as [[Americast]]. At its launch, the channel shared half of its assigned series with Disney Channel.<ref name=awm>{{cite news|title=Toon Disney Launch.|url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.2/3.2pages/3.2television.html|access-date=February 26, 2014|newspaper=Animation World Magazine|date=May 1998}}</ref> The channel had no advertising until its viewership reached a set number.<ref name="ks2"/> On January 31, 1999, the first annual [[Timon & Pumbaa (TV series)|Pumbaa]] Bowl marathon was broadcast.<ref name="toon Disney timeline 2003">{{cite web | url= http://psc.disney.go.com/abcnetworks/toondisney/games/toon_timeline/index.html | title=Toon Disney Timeline 1998-2003 | work=Toon Disney| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031210222834/http://psc.disney.go.com/abcnetworks/toondisney/games/toon_timeline/index.html | archive-date=December 10, 2003}}</ref>

By September 2000, the channel was expected to reach 20 million subscribers, and thus, would start showing advertising. Ad sales would be handled by [[Disney–ABC Television Group#Disney Kids Network|Disney Kids Network]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Hettrick |first=Scott |title=Stay Toon-ed For Ads On Disney Spinoff Channel |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4832586-1.html |access-date=April 12, 2014 |newspaper=All Business |date=February 25, 2000 |agency=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321115957/http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4832586-1.html |archive-date=March 21, 2009 |url-status=unfit }}</ref>

In June 2001, Toon Disney launched its "Most Animated Kid Search". ''The Santa Claus Brothers'' had its world premiere on the channel in December. In September 2002, eight new shows joined the line-up as part of Toon Disney's fall schedule.<ref name="toon Disney timeline 2003"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.awn.com/news/toon-disney-premieres-eight-new-series-fall-2002|title=Toon Disney Premieres Eight New Series In Fall 2002|work=Animation World Network|access-date=September 26, 2018|language=en}}</ref> In commemoration of the network's fifth anniversary in April 2003, the channel held the "Toon Disney's Magical Adventure Sweepstakes" in which three winners along with 3 family members would win a trip to [[Disneyland Resort]] to see ''Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular''.<ref name="toon Disney timeline 2003"/>

On February 14, 2004, the [[Jetix]] programming block began on Toon Disney and [[ABC Family]] as a part of the Jetix programming alliance of ABC Networks Group, Fox Kids Europe and Fox Kids Latin America.<ref name=ds>{{cite news|last=Welsh|first=James|title=Fox Kids to be rebranded as Jetix|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/news/a12962/fox-kids-to-be-rebranded-as-jetix.html|access-date=February 24, 2014|newspaper=Digital Spy|date=January 9, 2004}}</ref><ref name=amag>{{cite news|last=Ball|first=Ryan|title=Toon Disney Launches Jetix, Live Card Game |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/toon-disney-launches-jetix-live-card-game/|access-date=March 3, 2014|newspaper=Animation Magazine|date=February 13, 2004}}</ref> The block consisted of the entire acquired [[Fox Kids]]/[[Saban Entertainment]] action library as the result of a bulk buy-out by [[The Walt Disney Company]] in summer 2001, as well as some original programming. Some shows, like ''[[The Legend of Tarzan (TV series)|The Legend of Tarzan]]'', and ''[[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]]'' aired under both the Toon Disney and Jetix monikers.

The Toon Disney/Big Movie Show premiere of ''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]'' on December 22, 2006, was the channel's highest primetime rating with 1.35 million viewers. On January 27, 2007, Toon Disney launched its weekend afternoon programming block called "The Great Toon Weekend."<ref name=am>{{cite news|last=Ball|first=Ryan|title=Toon Disney has 'Great Toon Weekend'|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/toon-disney-has-great-toon-weekend/|access-date=April 4, 2014|newspaper=Animation Magazine|date=January 12, 2007}}</ref>

On August 6, 2008, [[Disney-ABC Television Group]] announced they would rebrand Toon Disney in early 2009 as [[Disney XD]], which would be aimed at kids from ages 6 and up. Toon Disney ceased its broadcast on February 12, 2009, and was replaced by [[Disney XD]]. The final program to air on the channel was ''[[The Incredible Hulk (1996 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' episode "Doomed" at 11:30 p.m. ET, as part of Jetix. The first program to air on [[Disney XD]] was the ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'' episode "[[Dude, We're Getting the Band Back Together]]" on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. ET.

==Programming blocks==
*'''Toon Disney's Big Movie Show''' is an evening movie block started in 2005 and lasted until 2009.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Christian|title=Toon Disney Spruces Up Big Movie Show|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/toon-disney-spruces-big-movie-show/367401|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=Muti-Channel|date=November 12, 2006}}</ref>
*'''Double Feature Friday''' was a block that featured two different movies back-to-back every Friday night. The block started in 2001 and lasted until 2004.
*'''[[Jetix]]''' was a block using programming from the Saban/Marvel library held by [[ABC Family Worldwide]] and additional original programming launched on February 14, 2004, with the block originally having 12 hours of weekly prime time programming to start.<ref name="ds" /><ref name="amag" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Umstead|first=R. Thomas|title=Disney Nets Bolster 'Jetix' Block |url= http://www.multichannel.com/content/disney-nets-bolster-%E2%80%98jetix%E2%80%99-block|access-date=March 5, 2014|newspaper=Multichannel News|date=March 19, 2004}}</ref> By the time Toon Disney dissolved in February 2009, Jetix had taken up more than half of the network's programming schedule, airing for 12 hours on weekdays and 19 hours on weekends.
*''' The Magical World of Toons''' was Toon Disney's prime time block which was launched on April 18, 1998 and lasted until 2003. During the week, the block would showcase shorts and series featuring Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Timon & Pumbaa, Hercules, Aladdin, [[Doug (TV series)|Doug]] and [[Pepper Ann]]. During the weekend, the block would present animated features, most of those created for the home video market, like ''[[The Return of Jafar]]'' and ''[[The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars]]'', as well as some theatrical releases including ''[[A Goofy Movie]]'', ''[[Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' and ''[[The Brave Little Toaster]]''.<ref name=awm/><ref name=tfl>{{cite news|title=Disney's Pepper Ann Takes Her Quest for Coolness to Toon Disney Beginning September 2001; All-Toon Channel Debuts New Schedule Sept. 3. |url= http://www.thefreelibrary.com/_/print/PrintArticle.aspx?id=76432584 |access-date=March 6, 2014|newspaper=Business Wire|date=July 10, 2001|author=ABC Cable Network Group}}</ref>
*'''Princess Power Hour''' was a block featuring [[Disney Princesses]] Jasmine and Ariel through episodes of ''[[Aladdin (animated TV series)|Aladdin]]'' and ''[[The Little Mermaid (TV series)|The Little Mermaid]]''. (2000–2007<ref name=tfl/>)
*'''Chillin' With the Villains''' was a block that aired on Sundays. The block consists of a mini-marathon of a series which featured a notable villain. (2000–2004<ref name=tfl/>)
*'''The Great Toon Weekend''' (GTW) was a weekend afternoon programming block that aired every Saturday and Sunday starting at noon for 7 hours beginning on January 27, 2007. The Great Toon Weekend started with a two-hour movie under the banner of "Big Movie Show" followed by five hours of back-to-back episodes of the following shows: ''[[Aladdin (animated TV series)|Aladdin]]'', ''[[Timon & Pumbaa (TV series)|Timon & Pumbaa]]'', ''[[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]]'', ''[[The Emperor's New School]]'' and ''[[Lilo & Stitch: The Series|Lilo & Stitch]]''.<ref name=am/>
*'''Hangin' with the Heroes''' began in January 2002 as a weekend block consisting of two hours of ''Aladdin'', ''Gargoyles'', and ''Hercules''. Later, the block began airing every weeknight starting at 11:00 pm.<ref name="toon Disney timeline 2003"/>

==International versions==
In the Fall of 2000, Disney launched its first overseas Toon Disney channel in the United Kingdom.<ref name=ds0>{{cite news |last=Chapman |first=Iain |title=Toon Disney|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/news/a643/toon-disney.html|access-date=March 4, 2014|newspaper=Digital Spy|date=April 29, 2000}}</ref> The UK channel was later replaced by [[Disney Cinemagic]] in March 2006.<ref name=vai>{{cite news|title=ITV enters full U.K. kids mkt.|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ITV+enters+full+U.K.+kids+mkt.-a0147057324|access-date=March 5, 2014|newspaper=Video Age International|date=March 1, 2006}}</ref> In 2004, 4 new markets added a Toon Disney channel with three in Europe with Germany also adding a time shift channel.<ref name=coe>{{cite web|url=http://mavise.obs.coe.int/channel?event=listing&query_clauses=%7B%22name%22%3A%22Toon%20Disney%22%2C%22status%22%3A%22f%22%7D |title=Channel listing: Toon Disney |publisher=European Audiovisual Observatory|work=MAVISE}}</ref> In December, Walt Disney Television International India launched a Toon Disney channel with three language audio tracks (English, Tamil and Telugu).<ref name=itv>{{cite news|title=After Tamil & Telugu, Toon Disney goes Hindi from 1 September|url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/aug/aug244.htm|access-date=February 26, 2014|newspaper=Indian Television|date=August 22, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bajoria|first=Jayshree|title=Disney launches India TV channels|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4104089.stm|access-date=February 26, 2014|newspaper=BBC|date=December 17, 2004}}</ref> In 2005, a Toon Disney channel was launched for the Nordic countries, as well as<ref name=coe/> another one for Japan.<ref name=c2m>{{cite news|title=Toon Disney and Jetix head for Japan|url=http://www.c21media.net/toon-disney-and-jetix-head-for-japan/|access-date=March 12, 2014|newspaper=C21Media|date=August 31, 2005}}</ref> A Hindi-language audio track was introduced on Toon Disney in India on September 1, 2005.<ref name=tvp>{{cite news|title=Toon Disney to be launched in Hindi from September 1|url=http://www.televisionpoint.com/news/newsfullstory.php?id=1124796128|access-date=February 26, 2014|newspaper=Televisionpoint.com|date=August 23, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173630/http://www.televisionpoint.com/news/newsfullstory.php?id=1124796128|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> After the shutdown of the US channel, the remaining channels & blocks with the Toon Disney name outside the US were relaunched as either Disney Cinemagic (in European countries only), Disney Channel, or Disney XD, with the last Toon Disney-branded channels to close being the 2 Italy channels on October 1, 2011.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Market !! Type !! Launch date !! Replaced by || Replaced by date
|-
| United States || rowspan="4" | channel || {{dts|1998|04|18}}<ref name="awm" /> || [[Disney XD]] || {{dts|2009|02|12}}<ref name="lat">{{cite news|last1=Chmielewski|first1=Dawn C.|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/07/business/fi-disney7 |title=Enough with the girls, tween boys get their own brand of Disney love|access-date=February 25, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=August 7, 2008|archive-url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:PNx3LomqAd8J:articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/07/business/fi-disney7+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|archive-date=March 31, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| Japan || {{dts|2005|12|01}}<ref name="c2m" /> ||[[Disney XD (Japanese TV channel)|Disney XD]]||{{dts|2009|8|9}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Schilling|first=Mark|title=Disney XD to launch in Japan|url=https://variety.com/2009/biz/news/disney-xd-to-launch-in-japan-1118004649/|access-date=April 24, 2014|newspaper=Variety|date=June 7, 2009}}</ref>
|-
| United Kingdom and Ireland || {{dts|2000|09|29}}<ref name="ds0" /> || [[Disney Cinemagic]] || {{dts|2006|3|16}}<ref name="vai" />
|-
|-
| India || {{dts|2004|12|17}}<ref name="ect">{{cite news|title=Walt Disney channels to be distributed by STAR|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-11-25/news/27387474_1_walt-disney-television-international-disney-channel-star-bouquet|access-date=April 23, 2014|newspaper=Economic Times|date=November 25, 2004}}</ref><ref name="itv0" /> || [[Disney XD (Indian TV channel)|Disney XD]] || {{dts|2009|11|12}}<ref name="itv0">{{cite news|title=Jetix rebrands to Disney XD in India|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/broadcasting/tv-channels/kids/jetix-rebrands-to-disney-xd-in-india|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=Indiantelevision.com|date=November 12, 2009}}</ref>
|-
| Vietnam || block on [[Ho Chi Minh City Television|HTV7]] || {{dts|2007|02}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney's BVITV-AP brings 'Toon Disney' block to Vietnam|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/broadcasting/tv-channels/kids/disneys-bvitv-ap-brings-toon-disney-block-to-vietnam|access-date=March 10, 2014|newspaper=Indiantelevision.com|date=February 1, 2007}}</ref> ||N/A
|
|-
| France || rowspan="2" | channel|| {{dts|2002|11|02}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Disney Channel se met en quatre|url=https://www.strategies.fr/actualites/medias/r26151W/disney-channel-se-met-en-quatre.html|publisher=Stratégies|date=2002-10-25}}</ref> || Disney Cinemagic || {{dts|2007|09|04}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.universfreebox.com/article/3716/Disney-Cinemagic-le-4-septembre-sur-CanalSat-Video |title=Disney Cinemagic le 4 septembre sur CanalSat |publisher=Univers Freebox}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | Germany || {{dts|2004|11|10}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Ready, willing 'n' cable|url=https://variety.com/2004/tv/news/ready-willing-n-cable-1117912378/|access-date=July 21, 2014|work=Variety|date=October 24, 2004}}</ref> || Disney XD in many providers || {{dts|2010|04|18}}<ref name="coe" />
|-
|| +1 timeshift service || || Disney XD +1 || {{dts|2010|04|18}}<ref>{{cite web|title=TV Channel: Disney XD +1 (Germany)|url=http://mavise.obs.coe.int/channel?id=9081|work=MAVISE|publisher=European Audiovisual Observatory|access-date=May 1, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | Italy || channel || {{dts|2004|12|24}} || Disney Channel +2 || rowspan="2" | {{DTS|2011|10|1}}{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}
|-
|| +1 timeshift service || {{dts|2008|12|20}}<ref>{{cite web|title=TV: SU SKY NUOVI CANALI PER BAMBINI, CINEMA E MUSICA|url=http://www1.adnkronos.com/Archivio/AdnAgenzia/2008/12/22/Spettacolo/Televisione/TV-SU-SKY-NUOVI-CANALI-PER-BAMBINI-CINEMA-E-MUSICA_165347.php|publisher=adnkrosos|date=December 22, 2008}}</ref> || Disney XD +2
|-
| Scandinavia || rowspan="2" | channel || {{DTS|2005|8|1}}|| Disney XD || {{DTS|2009|9|9}}<ref name="coe" />
|-
| Spain || {{dts|2001|11|16}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Disney lanza tres nuevos canales infantiles|url=https://elpais.com/diario/2001/10/30/radiotv/1004396401_850215.html|publisher=El País|date=October 30, 2001}}</ref> || Disney Cinemagic || June 30, 2008<ref name="coe" />
|}

==See also==
* [[List of programs broadcast by Toon Disney]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite web | url = http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/the-launch-of-toon-disney/ | title = The Launch of Toon Disney | author-link = Jerry Beck | first = Jerry | last = Beck | date = March 17, 2014 | work = CartoonResearch.com}} - includes the Launch program for Toon Disney which has the first week's programming guide

{{Disney Channel}}
{{U.S. family-oriented television channels}}

[[Category:Toon Disney| ]]
[[Category:Disney television networks]]
[[Category:Children's television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies based in California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Burbank, California]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1998]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Jetix original programming]]

Toon Disney - Revision history

Meet at 07:19, 9 February 2026

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