BARREIRO - The US group Disney is preparing to close Disney Channel Spain, which will take effect on January 7, 2025 on Digital Terrestrial Television and cable television operators, marking the end of this channel after more than 27 years on children's and youth television. After this channel ends, the channel will switch to Disney Jr. Spain through Spanish pay-TV operators, where older children can watch this series.
This children's television channel, which began broadcasting in Spain in 1998 as a subscription television service and arrived on Spanish free-to-air television on July 1, 2008, with a license agreement with Net TV, will now cease operations as part of Disney's strategy to strengthen its streaming platform, Disney+.
The announcement was confirmed directly by the Spanish portal Vertele and is part of a global digital distribution initiative aimed at consolidating Disney+ as the core of its content. Despite the closure of Disney Channel Spain on Spanish terrestrial digital television, the programs and series that make up its programming will remain available on the platform and through Spanish free-to-air channels such as La 1, Antena 3, Telecinco, and TeleMadrid.
It's worth remembering that Disney channels have already ended their broadcasts in Spain, such as Disney Cinemagic Spain, which was discontinued in 2015 on pay TV, and Disney XD Spain, which officially stopped broadcasting in early 2020. Now it's Disney Channel Spain turn, ending its broadcasts on January 7 of next year.
In addition to the closure of Disney Channel Spain on DTT, the American company also confirmed that Disney Jr. Spain, a TV channel launched in 2011 aimed at children aged 3 to 7, will continue to be broadcast through Spanish pay-TV platforms from Telefónica, Orange, Vodafone and others.
Disney Channel Spain, a pioneer in bringing Disney content to Spanish homes, quickly became a benchmark. It was the platform for hits like High School Musical, Camp Rock, and local productions such as Cambio de Clase and the legendary Art Attack Spain by Jordi Cruz. It also served as a cradle for national talents like Ana Mena and Lucía Gil. Throughout its 27 years, the channel achieved significant milestones, such as the historic 4% audience share obtained in 2016 with the broadcast of 1994 movie The Lion King. However, the arrival of Disney+ in 2020 and the rise of streaming platforms significantly reduced its audience, stabilizing it between 0.7% and 0.8%.
Following the closure of this channel, the number of free-to-air children's channels in Spain from 2025 will be reduced to just three: Clan TVE, Boing España, and Neox. Clan TVE was launched in 2005 and belongs to the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, specializing in children's programming. Furthermore, it remains to be seen what will happen to the Net TV license, currently used by the channel.
Although its broadcast on free-to-air television is coming to an end, Disney Channel Spain leaves an indelible legacy, remembered by generations who grew up watching its programs and films. This change reflects the growing importance of streaming in the global audiovisual landscape, marking the beginning of a new era for the Disney brand in Spain.