Disney Is Planning To Close Disney Channel, Star Channel, FX, Cinecanal, National Geographic And BabyTV In Brazil By February 2025

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The renowned Brazilian journalist Ricardo Feltrín announced for the first time that Disney Channel, Star Channel, FX and National Geographic would be discontinued in Brazil in February 2025. This information was verified and complemented by journalist Pablo Simoes from the PortalTVeStreaming site, to whom it was also confirmed the end of Cinecanal and BabyTV, along with the official closing date of all these channels in the country: February 28, 2025.

Although it has not been confirmed whether these broadcast cessations will apply to the rest of Latin America, Pablo stated that Disney assured him that these changes will apply only to Brazil, although certainly the outlook is not entirely encouraging for those who still tune in to these channels in our region. . TVLaint attempted to get a direct response from Disney on the issue, but at the time of publishing this entry it has not received an official communication.

So far, the only thing that is known is that the decision will not impact the six ESPN channels present in Brazil. Sports signals will, for now, be Disney's only presence on Brazilian pay TV.

Although the measure is not surprising since Disney has been getting rid of its television signals around the world for more than four years in search of boosting its Disney+ streaming platform, it occurs in an ironic context considering that Disney Channel is usually the second children's channel most tuned in in Brazil, and Star Channel is the channel with the largest general audience only behind ESPN itself, according to Pablo's statements on his Twitter/X account.

It is a sad week for Disney Channel fans, since a few days ago it was announced that it would cease broadcasting in Spain after 27 years on the air, leaving fewer and fewer signs of the channel that gave so much joy around the world.

This massive closure of signals in Brazil is the most significant in Latin America since the beginning of 2022, when Disney discontinued the operations of the Star Premium suite and the basic TV channels Disney XD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Kids, FX Movies and Star Life, all in a period of less than three months. Curiously, on that occasion Disney stopped broadcasting Disney Junior in Brazil, but the channel continues to broadcast in the rest of Latin America to this day, with no plans to end. The contents of the preschool channel have since remained in a block on Disney Channel, which is not present in other countries.

A peculiar case is that of Cinecanal, which, although it already existed in Latin America, debuted in Brazil as a replacement for Star Life during the "massacre" of channels in 2022. Now, it will be one of the channels that will cease operations after almost three years in the air.

All content present on Disney Channel, Star Channel, FX, Cinecanal and National Geographic will remain exclusive to Disney+ in Brazil. BabyTV's content is the exception to the rule, which has an official and active channel on YouTube.

BabyTV Is Adding Four New Original Shows To Its 2024 Lineup

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Disney-owned BabyTV, which runs 24/7 commercial-free programming for babies and toddlers, is adding four new original series to its 2024 lineup.

First up on June 3 is Bug ‘N’ Play (30 x five minutes), a 2D-animated series about three bug friends (pictured) who learn to problem-solve while playing with forgotten toys in their yard.

Launching on August 5 is a 30 x five-minute show called Travelers, featuring a mix of live action and animation. In each episode, human hosts Perry and Harley demonstrate how life’s challenges can be overcome with humor and determination.

This will be followed on October 7 by My Robot & I (20 x five minutes), a CG-animated series showcasing the positive relationship between a curious girl and her new robotic companion.

And finally, Olly (30 x five minutes) is due out on November 4, with CG-animated episodes about a playful monkey who learns valuable lessons and problem-solving skills through fun role-play situations with his friends.

All four shows will launch globally on BabyTV’s linear channel first, and then roll out a month later on the BabyTV app. Streaming dates on Disney+ are TBD for now.

The BabyTV linear channel is available in more than 80 countries worldwide, and content on the app is dubbed into 18 languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese Brazil, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch and Norwegian.

Development Alert: Baby TV Unifies Its Latin American Signal With Spain And Other Parts Of Europe

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Since today, the children's channel, international subscription television channel for babies, Baby TV, has merged its Latin American signal with one from Europe, to specify, Spain. 

Baby TV was launched in Latin America on April 1, 2007 by Fox Networks Group Latin America. On March 20, 2019, the channel became part of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International as a result of The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

The brand at the time obtained a 3-hour morning block on the defunct Fox Life channel, only to return years later as a block on the OnDirecTV signal, this being the only way to view the channel's content in HD.

It is worth mentioning that the changes will not be as palpable, because BabyTV does not handle localized IDs and commercials, or in this case, the same ones are counted, this due to its programming basically intended for fewer 3-year-old children, so the only Notable change is the image quality.

It is also worth noting that the channel was already managed from Europe, offering a signal intended for Latin America due to the age rating indicators.

Credits: ANMTV

News Shorts: German Based Broadcaster Deutsche Welle Shutters It's Linear Operations Across Europe And Africa, National Geographic And ESPN Have Been Added To Zuku TV And A Rebroadcast Of Dayan, Destructive Beauty Launches On eExtra

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DW goes dark across Europe

The move is part of a package of measures presented by DW director Peter Limbourg to the DW broadcasting council in Berlin on March 17, 2023.

“We will no longer broadcast linear programming in German after the changeover, but we will offer singular content on digital platforms,” the DW spokesman said. The date for the closure of the German TV channel has not yet been set. “I’m not able to provide a specific date at this time,” he added.

With the package of measures as part of the 2024 budget planning, Limbourg wants to drive the digital transformation of the German international service. Included are savings, budget shifts from linear to digital offerings and to regional languages, as well as investments in digital working environments.

Zee TV dying down on eExtra

After cutting down on primetime for more Annekan Die Swa Kry and axing Naagin much earlier than anticipated. A rebroadcast of Dayan, Destructive Beauty is expected to join the channel's line-up in the coming weeks replacing the timeslot of Naagin supposedly.

Dayan, Destructive Beauty was the first and probably last Bollywood drama to have been made exclusive to eVOD before being added to linear platforms. Now eVOD's international drama lineup outside of Kuiertyd is revolved on content viewed on eSeries and eExtra.

It follows Janvi Maurya, a well-educated and family oriented girl hailing from Ujjain, stumbles upon a dangerous ploy by an evil force as many unusual and mysterious happenings occur in her hometown. With a threat to her life, she must unmask the identity of a Daayan.

Sports makes a comeback on Zuku TV

Last year, it was revealed through several social outlets that Zuku TV will be relaunching National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Baby TV and ESPN 1 after removing them back in 2021. The only difference FOX and ESPN 2 aren't part of this offering.

These channels were replaced with Animal Planet, Discovery and TLC from Warner Bros. Discovery, Filmbox from SPI International and Planet Fun years prior. But the pay-tv platform failed to substitute the sporting line-up with any chances of a replacement likely dead at this point.

Potential Replacement: Could MultiChoice And StarTimes Add Moonbug Kids Perhaps To Replace A Channel Like Disney Junior And Baby TV?

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Also read:
- StarSat might not replace these two channels
- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- The last FOX Life available in the United States closes down in March
- National Geographic ending in the UK and several other markets
- Cartoonito launches on Boomerang, could the same happen in Africa on DStv?
- Why VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- As Africa await for their Disney Channels to close in 2024 Latin America starts with Star Life, National Geographic Wild, Disney XD and FX Movies
- Possible terminations and additions on DStv
- Discovery World was on DStv for 6 seconds

Moonbug Kids is a multimedia entertainment channel founded by Britain's Moonbug Entertainment. They're home to YouTube sensations Little Baby Bum and Cocomelon basically you can find their content on streaming services.

In 2021, they partnered up with the Europe provider OSN to launch a Moonbug linear channel alongside a streaming hub for preschoolers and now the brand expands their reach to Asia with Astro TV.

This past week, it was reported Baby TV owned by The Walt Disney Company will cease operation by the end of the month in Asia as Disney is on the road to close 100 channels and Moonbug Kids was announced as the suitor by Asian provider Astro.

By late 2023 to early 2024, it is estimated that Disney Junior alongside Disney Channel, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild will no longer be available on DStv or to any provider in Africa as content shifts to Disney+.

Also read: 
- MultiChoice might be launching a channel for eLearning while StarSat vocational education channel is nowhere in site
- Adult animation channel launches in India
- Paramount Movie Network might be dead in the United States
- SABC registered three possible DStv or StarSat channels: SABC Parliament, SABC Children and SABC Encore
- TelkomOne reportedly adds two channels: Toonami and Boing
- Could Travel Africa Network launch on DStv or StarSat?
- Boomerang reportedly closing down across Europe, Middle East and Africa
- W-Sport has been added onto the StarTimes app
- National Geographic Kids Africa launches in 2022

MultiChoice and several other providers will have to seek potential candidates to keep viewers entertained and fill up the void inflicted by The Walt Disney Company. There's not much options for preschool market aside ZooMoo (if it's around by then) and Moonbug Kids.

Content seen on Disney Junior even the main channel won't be found on the potential candidate as it moves to Disney+ while Baby TV's set sinks to the bottom of the ocean as Disney doesn't see the need to bundle it with Disney+.

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Baby TV Could Be The Next Channel From The Walt Disney Company To Go Off Air In Africa Following Its Closure In Some Parts Of Asia

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During the new year, there's been multiple reports of Disney closing down several channels for viewers in the US, UK and Latin America with some parts of Asia joining the list with closures of National Geographic and Baby TV.

As reported last year, MultiChoice had signed an agreement with The Walt Disney Company to keep the factual and wildlife brands National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, the sports brands ESPN 1 & 2 and the kids brands Disney Channel and Disney Junior functional on their platforms until 2024.

Baby TV is not available on their platforms but rivals like StarTimes making it an easier target for The Walt Disney Company.

Also read:
- Could fan made Cartoon Network logo be the future logo for the channel?
- Rio 3 and Ice Age 7 are currently in development for Disney+
- The last FOX Life available in the United States closes down in March
- National Geographic ending in the UK and several other markets
- Why VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- As Africa await for their Disney Channels to close in 2024 Latin America starts with Star Life, National Geographic Wild, Disney XD and FX Movies
- Possible terminations and additions on DStv

In 2003, Baby TV began as a block in the UK offering educational and fun content for toddlers before expanding in the form of a linear channel by 2005. Although it's not on DStv, the SABC does offer it as a programming block as seen in the UK.

In March 2019, the channel was acquired by The Walt Disney Company as part of the deal with 20th Century for their assets which included a set of FOX linear channels as well as their studios even National Geographic.

Since then, The Walt Disney Company launched their streaming service Disney+ consolidating content from these linear channels as they've begun shutting them down with more expected to join as the plan is to close 100 international channels.

Baby TV's programming is not part of Disney+ the likely reason is that the content might be licensed by other studios or The Walt Disney Company doesn't see any value in the brand.

Following the acquisition, all their other brands went through several adjustments while this one remained unscathed not to mention outdated for most of its existence with The Walt Disney Company.

As mentioned, the channel closed down in some parts of Asia alongside India. The providers in that market had to source an alternative brand which carried their own set of content with Africa likely resorting to the same measures if the provider deems a replacement necessary.

Also read:
- Boomerang reportedly closing down across Europe, Middle East and Africa
- The Flash and Batwoman could be cancelled as The CW is up for sale
- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- National Geographic Kids Africa launches in 2022
- More new series coming to Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and many more
- WWE was almost sold to FOX Corporation
- Could Galactic: KND be in the works for Cartoon Network and HBO Max?

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets and if you're struggling to share the article through certain platforms use this link (Lnk.Bio).