Disney Will Cease Broadcast Of Disney XD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Kids, FX Movies And Star Life In Latin America With Disney Junior In Brazil

With the arrival of Disney+, the mouse company was highly motivated in the last couple of years to exterminate its existing pay television channels around the world in order to benefit its subscription streaming platform.

With the announcement given in mid-2021 by the CEO of the company Bob Chapek in which 100 international casualties were promised, it was a matter of time for this mass murder to affect Latin America and it seems that Disney will finally play its cards in the region.

Initially, the company did not make major changes in the television field than to change the name of the Fox channels, replacing it with the Star brand for legal reasons, drastically modify the content broadcast on its main children's channels (to enhance the one that is already on demand on Disney+), and reducing the signals available in the territory (the so-called 'feeds'), in addition to a notable lack of interest in their maintenance and promotion.

These last three events were enough evidence to begin to think that Disney was already planning the worst for many of these channels that suffered these dreaded consequences, especially since, certainly, they became useless signals by having taken a good portion of their programming for to make it exclusive to Disney+, and what was left on broadcast was already distributed on said platform.

It should also be remembered that, in August 2021, Disney launched the Star+ service, in an attempt to earn more money with two different platforms, significantly affecting the channels of a more mature audience, such as the Star Channel itself, than during Its advertising strategy promised to maintain the same programming as always, but only half a year later it aggressively reduced the daily broadcasts of The Simpsons, its star series, among other changes that made the star's service not to the liking of consumers.

This also hurt Star Premium channels (i.e.,  Star Hits, Star Series, Star Action, Star Comedy, Star Fun, Star Cinema, and Star Classics ), whose programming became repetitive and not at all innovative as for a premium television package., a market quite obsolete today but that HBO manages to keep current with premieres and original productions, which ended up digging Star Premium's own grave after so many years on the air.

And that is how it can be confirmed that the company will also end Disney XD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Kids, FX Movies and Star Life in Latin America and Disney Junior in Brazil at the moment. All these channels, whose course could already be foreseen for months, will be discontinued as of March 31 2022, thus adding to the aforementioned signals belonging to the Star Premium group, which will say goodbye at the end of this month : January 31st.

In the case of Disney XD, its end in Latin America was something that viewers were rumored for 2 years, after the announcement of the channel ceasing its broadcasts in India to be replaced by a Marvel-themed signal (the famous ' Marvel HQ ' , which in any case was already discontinued on December 1 with almost 2 years on the air), added to several international versions of the channel that said goodbye during this time without having any kind of substitute.

This information initially came from a letter from Disney sent to a cable operator last Wednesday, December 22, but which came to light on the morning of this Monday, January 10, in a portal post, remaining as a rumor until hours later. it was finally confirmed and it is already a true fact. All the channels already officially named have their days numbered.

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International Educational And Entertainment Programme National Geographic Kids Coming To Africa In 2022

Geographic Kids Africa, which focuses on developing local content surrounding the environment, conservation, and associated topics important to children and their communities. The project aims to inspire and promote behaviour change in its audiences. To protect the world in which they live through engendering a deeper understanding of the natural environment.

The undertaking includes a 26-part television series to be shot primarily in East Africa but with additional filming in West and Southern Africa. The series will be produced by The Walt Disney Company, in association with Kenya-based WildlifeDirect. WildlifeDirect will collaborate on research and creative approaches. National Geographic Kids Africa will air across the continent on National Geographic Wild. It will extend into engaging digital platforms that further explore biodiversity, wildlife and the natural world, and the threats and challenges experienced.

Extending the reach of the National Geographic Kids Africa initiative further, a community outreach project will be launched by implementation partner WildlifeDirect across East Africa, aiming to encourage learners from 200 schools to make a lasting impact on the conservation of species-rich landscapes. By investing in knowledge and skills, through tools such as conservation hubs, educational resources, bespoke educator training and more, the outreach program aims to develop a passionate community of young explorers with the fascination and desire to protect their continent and their world.

National Geographic Kids Africa will be produced entirely in Africa by African storytellers. The stories, leadership and expertise of African conservationists and communities will be prominently featured.

The US Department of State, US Embassies, and local partners in Africa will enhance this initiative through multiple academic, cultural, and professional exchanges. The Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ people-to-people exchange programs will support professional development and skills sharing across sectors, including conservation, the creative industries, tourism and sustainable practices. Exchange programs create lasting connections and harness attention on conservation and the importance of protecting the natural world. The Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs will continue to lead diplomatic efforts to expand and strengthen policy and programs to conserve and protect nature.

Christine Service, General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, adds:

“For over 133 years, the core mission of National Geographic has been to ignite the explorer in everyone through thought-provoking, fact-based storytelling from scientists, explorers, photographers and filmmakers. This initiative will bring children from across the continent into the conversation and, in doing so, energize the next generation of environmental advocates through this innovative and engaging programme.”

Says Dr Paula Kahumbu, CEO of WildlifeDirect:

“We are deeply humbled and proud to be working with some of the world’s greatest institutions, the US Department of State, USAID, Disney and National Geographic, to transform conservation outcomes in Africa by inspiring people in Africa and around the world through the authentic voices of Africa's young heroes. This series is a first in so many ways, not least the unique partnership but also because of outreach efforts which will deliver a positive impact on nature across the region.”

In addition to amplifying local voices around conservation, the National Geographic Kids Africa initiative supports vital policy goals in addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. US climate and conservation diplomacy aspires to realize economic growth, energy security, and a healthy planet. The loss of nature and her gifts affect all people, and bold action to tackle these twin crises is more urgent than ever.
By engaging the next generation, National Geographic Kids Africa is a critical part of this effort. The series will tell the story of forward-thinking climate and conservation action in inspiring ways. It will highlight the work of African children across the continent and encourage others in Africa to make a difference in their way.

Says Matthew Lussenhop, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State:

“A key element of our charge is to address the environmental, social, political, and economic challenges we all face. We look forward to enhancing this important initiative with people-to-people exchanges to inspire and connect the next generation of conservationists, filmmakers and leaders in Africa who will create lasting change to protect their natural environment. This partnership represents an innovative way forward to address some of the most pressing issues of our time.”

USAID’s conservation programming plays a critical role in ensuring the world’s most vulnerable people can secure their health and well-being while managing and conserving their natural wealth. Through partnerships with governments, communities, and the private sector in 60 countries, USAID works to protect biological systems and improve the lives of people who depend on them. These conservation activities also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon storage. USAID’s nature-based solutions are building people’s resilience, priority ecosystems, and economies to climate change.

Says Karl Fickenscher, Acting Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI), USAID:

“National Geographic Kids Africa embodies USAID's new vision for global development that combines working together with our US State Department colleagues, our private sector partner, The Walt Disney Company, and our local Kenyan partner WildlifeDirect. We could not be prouder to stand alongside them, and perhaps most importantly, alongside the students, young environmentalists, and kids from communities across Africa, who will work to protect and conserve the world around them— today and in the future.”

The goal is partnering with African filmmakers to tell African stories around conservation and environmental themes to reach African and global audiences. In addition, National Geographic Kids Africa will further advance The Walt Disney Company’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, which goes back to its founding more than 90 years ago. Walt Disney himself said that: “conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us.” National Geographic Kids Africa is another way The Walt Disney Company focuses on helping to protect the planet.
Currently, in pre-production, the National Geographic Kids Africa programme is set for a mid-to-late 2022 rollout across Africa.

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National Geographic Kids Plans For Disney+

National Geographic is going to be one of the main core brands of Disney+ and it’s “Nat Geo Kids” division is set to take advantage of its new audience. And with “Nat Geo Kids” getting its own “section” within the Children’s profile section, we can expect to see more new shows from the brand, which also makes a wide range of products including books and magazines.

Disney want the team at “Nat Geo Kids” to develop new content for Disney+, though there isn’t a set number of hours or content quota to fill.

“Nat Geo Kids” is looking to create long-form TV series that are aimed at kids aged from six to 12. This new content can be animated, live action, game shows, and competition series.

“The programming we’re looking for is going to be brainy, fun, fact-filled, inspiring and will really amplify and grow Nat Geo’s mission. It’s an opportunity for us to continue to ramp up across a number of our pillars like animals in nature, exploration and adventure, science and innovation, world culture—all grounded in the fact-based world we live in.” Said Geoff Daniels.

He also confirmed the second season of Weird But True will launch on Disney+ in November. The series consists of 13 x 30 minute episodes, which sees Charlie and Kirby explore the fun, strange and surprising ways the world works.

Other series in development include a Explorer Academy, which is based on the “Nat Geo Kids” Publishing book series of the same name. No details such as a launch date, episode length or run time, were confirmed.

“Explorer Academy is inspired by the work our explorers do, and all the new technologies coming online [that allow kids] to create a meaningful impact on the planet, rooted in conservation they can do. I think it really encapsulates the spirit of adventure and exploration that National Geographic stands for. We’re going to continue to mine that line.”

The new shows from “Nat Geo Kids” are going to be slightly different from the usual National Geographic content as they are looking at pitches and scripts for a variety of projects such as pure fantasy, science fiction and comedy series.

“Right now, Nat Geo Kids reaches 260 million kids globally. I think we’re looking at where those opportunities are, [so we can] continue to roll out Nat Geo Kids and the content we’re building around the world. We are looking to ramp that up over the long haul.”

National Geographic looks set to take advantage of its new opportunity and with full support from its new owners, Disney, it does look like we will have lots of exciting content to look forward to.