Disney Channel (Italian TV channel)

Disney Channel was an Italian television channel that was owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company Italia, itself a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company EMEA. It was launched on 4 July 1998 and its programming consists on original Disney Channel series (either American, European or locally produced) and third party programming acquired by the network.

Disney Channel
Launched4 July 1998 (4 July 1998)
Closed1 May 2020 (1 May 2020)
Owned byThe Walt Disney Company Italy
(Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International)
Audience share0.21% (February 2015, [1])
SloganTrova la tua storia
CountryItaly
Broadcast areaItaly
Switzerland
HeadquartersMilan, Italy
Sister channel(s)Disney Junior
Timeshift serviceDisney Channel +1
Disney Channel +2
Websitedisneychannel.it
Availability
Satellite
DigitalDVB-S, on Hot Bird 8 e Hot Bird 9 pay
SkyChannel 613 (HD Sky Box HD) - (SD Sky Box)
Channel 614 (+1)
Channel 615 (+2)
Channel 673 (SD Sky Box HD)
Cable
DigitalIPTV, on Italy on networks Fastweb and Telecom Italia pay with TV di FASTWEB and IPTV di Telecom Italia (Channel 613, 614 e 615)
Streaming media

Disney Channel and its timeshift ceased broadcasting on 1 May 2020, due to the launch of Disney+ in Italy.[2]

History

On 4 July 1998, Disney Channel officially began broadcasting in Italian on Telepiù. The channel used the slogan "Libera la tua Immaginazione", which translates to "Free your imagination". Among the first programs on the channel were Disney animated television series, such as Timon & Pumbaa and Aladdin: The Series. It also showed Disney films and some Disney Channel Original Movies on "Il Fantastico Mondo Disney" (The Wonderful World of Disney) each evening at 20.30 (8:30pm). A new film was shown every Saturday at the same time slot. In January 1999, Disney Channel Italy launched its original live presentation show: Disney Channel Live (later called Live Zone). In this program, hosted by Isabella Arrigoni and Massimiliano Ossini, viewers interact with the hosts and join games. Other popular programs were Live Zone - Musica, Live Zone - Sport, Live Zone - Da scoprire, Live Zone - Da ridere and Una stella per te (A Star for You).

On 15 November 1999, Disney Channel Italy adopted the new "Circles" logo and idents of Disney Channel UK (created by GÉDÉON) while still keeping the slogan "Free your Imagination".

In 2002, Disney Channel Italy launched two new programs: Quasi Gol and L'ora della magia.

The channel has been available since the beginning on Stream and SKY Italia and even after their mergers.

On 31 May 2003, Disney Channel Italy adopted the American Disney Channel's new logo (designed by CA Square), along with new graphics and idents.

Live Zone ended in September 2003; it was replaced by Prime Time, led by the hosts of Live Zone, Isabella Arrigoni and Massimiliano Ossini. Even programs secondary to Live Zone were replaced by newer ones like Tok, Eta Beta, and Skatenati. Another program was added, Scooter.

On 24 December 2004, Disney introduced Disney Channel +1, where all regular programs from Disney Channel are postponed an hour.

In 2006, almost all live shows were taken off air.

Prime Time got a refresh in September 2005, with a new logo, new computer-generated graphics, and Arrigoni being the voice-over host who presented the programs.

In 2005, Disney Channel Italy launched a new series called Quelli dell'intervallo, which led to the similar versions in the UK, US, Australia and other countries under the title As the Bell Rings. In 2006, Disney Channel Italy began airing many English language series from Disney Channel US. These versions were moved to a new channel called Disney in English in 2008.

In February 2007, Prime Time changed its logo once again, and Patrizio Prata became its new voice-over host, although the set design and cartoons remained the same. On May 14, 2007, Prime Time ended and Disney Channel Italy adopted the "Ribbon" graphics of Disney Channel (US).

On 1 October 2011, Disney Channel Italy adopted new "Smartphone App" logo that was introduced in the US in 2010, and began broadcasting in the 16:9 aspect ratio area (reruns of some series still air in the 4:3 aspect ratio), and sister channel Toon Disney, which was the last one under this brand, ceased broadcasting along with this timeshift.

Since February 1, 2012, Disney Channel Italy began broadcasting in HD.

On 9 April 2018, timeshift channels Disney Channel +2 and Disney XD +2, which launched after Toon Disney's closure ceased to air.

On 1 October 2019, Disney XD and Disney in English ceased broadcasting after a deal with Sky Italia was not renewed.

On 1 May 2020, at midnight, Disney Channel, along with Disney Junior, ceased broadcasting due to the launch of Disney+ in Italy.

References
  1. "Auditel Ratings - Disney Channel Italy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-20.
  2. "Nuovi Canali Cartoon Network. Chiude Disney Channel". tv.upgo.news. 2020-04-30. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
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