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ScottishSteve · 25-06-2020, 13:59

The axe is falling on all the Disney channels in the UK according to Broadcast

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Portfolio of kids channels to be scrapped after failed carriage negotiations with Sky & Virgin

Disney is to close its linear channels in the UK after extensive negotiations with pay-TV providers ended unsuccessfully, Broadcast can reveal.

Staff at Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior were informed of the decision earlier this week, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

It is understood the three channels will come off air in the autumn after extensive talks with Sky and Virgin Media ended with mutual agreements to end their carriage.

The trio will effectively become elements of SVoD service Disney+, which has quickly established itself in the UK with an estimated four million subscribers.

Disney+ will remain available on Sky, having launched as a standalone app on Sky Q set-top boxes in March, while some of its films will continue to be made available via Sky Cinema.

Natural history and wildlife channel National Geographic and entertainment channel Fox will remain on Sky and Virgin.

Broadcast understands Disney’s withdrawal from linear is specific to the UK. The company negotiates separately in individual territories and in the past year has closed a linear-only agreement in the Nordics and a pay-TV and SVoD carriage agreement with Canal+ in France.

Meanwhile, Disney+ continues to rollout across Europe, with several new territory launches revealed on Tuesday.

The news comes after Broadcast revealed Disney’s UK-based European programming chief David Levine was leaving the family entertainment giant after 16 years.

Among his duties were commissioning for Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior.

25-06-2020, 13:59	#1
ScottishSteve cf.addict Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 445	Disney Channels Axed The axe is falling on all the Disney channels in the UK according to Broadcast ———- Portfolio of kids channels to be scrapped after failed carriage negotiations with Sky & Virgin Disney is to close its linear channels in the UK after extensive negotiations with pay-TV providers ended unsuccessfully, Broadcast can reveal. Staff at Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior were informed of the decision earlier this week, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. It is understood the three channels will come off air in the autumn after extensive talks with Sky and Virgin Media ended with mutual agreements to end their carriage. The trio will effectively become elements of SVoD service Disney+, which has quickly established itself in the UK with an estimated four million subscribers. Disney+ will remain available on Sky, having launched as a standalone app on Sky Q set-top boxes in March, while some of its films will continue to be made available via Sky Cinema. Natural history and wildlife channel National Geographic and entertainment channel Fox will remain on Sky and Virgin. Broadcast understands Disney’s withdrawal from linear is specific to the UK. The company negotiates separately in individual territories and in the past year has closed a linear-only agreement in the Nordics and a pay-TV and SVoD carriage agreement with Canal+ in France. Meanwhile, Disney+ continues to rollout across Europe, with several new territory launches revealed on Tuesday. The news comes after Broadcast revealed Disney’s UK-based European programming chief David Levine was leaving the family entertainment giant after 16 years. Among his duties were commissioning for Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior.