Perhaps you’ve heard that Disney Channel is shutting down?
As a 1990’s kid, nothing was more exciting than Disney Channel – from their iconic logo to the programming.
It was and is a place for most favorite childhood memories! Disney’s cable channel was the best! You had classic shows like Doug, Recess, Life with Derek, That’s So Raven, Phil of The Future and many more.
That might be the case, but Disney Channel has been making changes, from canceling certain shows to changing up the look of their iconic logo.
And while they are not actually going to be shutting down completely, they have announced that they will be discontinuing the use of their own cable TV channels and essentially moving away from the entire business of being a cable company.
But of course, as an old-schooler, this news is very disappointing.
How can you shut down a Disney Channel that was such an essential part of so many people’s childhoods?
We’ll elaborate more.
Table of Contents
Why is Disney Channel shut down?
Growing up, going to Disney Channel was a regular event.
It was the channel we watched the most and we always looked forward to spending our time there.
The network was created in 1983, and in 2007 alone, it made $8 billion.
Over the years, Disney has grown to own more than just its channel.
They own quite a bit of the entertainment world, with Disney World, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel, Lucasfilm and ABC Television.
You’ll agree with me that television entertainment has changed a lot.
With numerous channels, a wide range of channels to choose from, the movies we watch, and other things that make up our entertainment world… It is overwhelming.
With all the change, the Walt Disney Company decided to go in another direction.
The company decided to launch its very own streaming service set to compete against the likes of Netflix and Hulu.
Disney Plus launched in 2019, with a variety of programming already available.
Much of the programming from the Disney channels were going to be moved to Disney Plus, so they could retire the original channels.
With Disney Plus launching and the change in how they were going to handle programming, it made sense for them to shut down their original channels.
Basically, Disney Plus and all of their other programming sources will be replacing the original networks (Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD).
What happened to Disney Channel?
Disney Channel was shut down back in 2020 and earlier in some regions.
It is actually completely discontinued and will likely permanently remain to be so.
This was due to the introduction of the Disney Plus streaming service and the fact that much of their programming was going to be moved there.
The original Disney Channel is gone, but don’t worry – the brand lives on in the form of a streaming service! Disney Plus is already up and running in the US, with a variety of programming to choose from – much of it being material that was featured on the previous Disney channels.
Therefore, the original Disney Channel is now a thing of the past.
The brand is still running, and you can access a lot of the same content at Disney Plus (and even watch your favorite shows in their entirety).
This means you’re actually not missing so much! Most of your favorites are accessible at Disney Plus, so there’s not much for you to be sad about.
And the best part is that there is still a lot more new programming to come!
Is Disney Channel gone forever?
Disney has not confirmed the permanent state of Disney Channel, but there is a strong chance that it will remain permanently shut down.
That said, there is always a chance it could be brought back if they decide they want to bring it back.
However, this is less likely considering how much effort they put into the Disney Plus streaming service.
Furthermore, Disney Plus has been doing a pretty decent job of keeping content fresh and updated.
Depending on how much you want to be a part of Disney Channel, the best thing you could do is subscribe to the new streaming service.
Disney Plus will give you access to all your favorite programming and other great content at a fraction of the price that cable offers.
Final Thoughts
Disney Channel is no more, but the story does not end there.
If you’re in a nostalgic mood, you can watch the shows you once loved on Disney Plus.
You can binge on all your favorite Disney Channel shows, and experience it all in one go.
And there is no doubt that Disney will continue to make great content! The brand lives on! And while some of us aren’t as nostalgic as others, we do agree that Disney has done a fantastic job and we’re really excited for more of their new projects.
FAQs
Did Disney Channel shut down in 2022?
Yes, Disney Channel is shutting down.
They are discontinuing the use of their original channels and moving to their new Disney Plus streaming service.
That said, the brand still lives on through the streaming service, so you can still access your favorite shows and more!
Is Disney Channel still available?
Unfortunately, the original Disney channel is no longer available.
The cable channel was shut down in 2020 following the launch of the Disney Plus streaming service.
This is where all classic, as well as new Disney programming, can be found.
How do I watch Disney Channel?
Watch Disney Channel on the new streaming service – Disney Plus! You can access a range of original and new programming and your favorite shows and movies.
Also, you’ll get access to other family favorites and much more!
