It is the turn of the Uk for a new Disney Channel. As of today, Playhouse Disney will become the newest channel to get a makeover as it becomes “Disney Junior”
Squarely aimed at a younger audience, Disney Junior will kick off on Saturday with some very familiar faces. Making the switch over are programmes such as Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, Special Agent Oso and the UK produced Jungle Junction. The new channel will also air big blockbuster movies in a more regular basis, with Finding Nemo scheduled for releases on the first day of programming. As well as the old favourites, Disney are planning to air some new creations. A new series set in the world of Peter Pan’s Neverland will see Captain Hook pit his wits against a group of young pirates. “Jake and the Neverland Pirates” is a new musical adventure series for the young and young at heart. A new series of the ever popular “Art Attack” will be resurrected and aired in June of this year before the concept is released to the world. As if that isn’t enough, Disney will attempt to get young people to appreciate poetry by roping in a group of well known British celebrities to read some of their favourite poems as the Belfast Telegraph explains:
Stars such as Catherine Tate, Richard E Grant and Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page are aiming to get young children interested in poetry with readings accompanied by Disney classics. They are among the notable actors who feature in a new series, A Poem Is, for younger viewers. Each of the celebrities – who also include Billy Connolly, Ashley Jensen and Simon Pegg – have recorded poems which will be set to scenes from classic animations. The poems include AA Milne’s Wind On The Hill, Robert Louis Stevenson’s My Shadow and Ann Taylor’s The Star – better known as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. And they will accompany excerpts from films such as Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo and Bambi. The series will begin on Disney Junior UK – which is replacing the Playhouse Disney channel – on Saturday. Tate, who narrates Milne’s Us Two said: “As an actress and a mother, I’ve seen first hand the power of great storytelling in inspiring kids and bringing families together.”
Greetings, I was visiting a friend over the weekend and noted that the channel is already showing in the UK.