Disney Channel (Russian TV channel)

Russian TV channel

Television channel

Disney Channel

Country| Russia
Broadcast area| Russia
Belarus[1][2]
Headquarters|

* Moscow, Russia

Programming
Language(s)| Russian
English (2010—2011)
Picture format| 16:9 576i (SDTV)
Ownership
Owner|

* Media-1 (80%)
* The Walt Disney Company CIS (20%)[3][4]
(since 2016)

Key people|

* Vladimir Vereshchagin (Vice President, TV and Film Production)
* Svetlana Lysko (Editor-in-Chief)
* Kakhaber Abashidze (CEO The Walt Disney Company CIS)
* Jan Kuhalsky — (CEO Disney Channel)

History
Launched| 10 August 2010 (pay TV broadcast)
31 December 2011 (free-to-air TV broadcast)
Replaced| Jetix (cable and satellite broadcasting)
Seven TV (on-air broadcasting)
Closed| 14 December 2022; 21 months ago (2022-12-14)[5]
Replaced by| Solntse
Links
Website| kanal.disney.ru

Disney Channel (Russian: Канал Disney) was a Russian free-to-air-to-air television channel, serving as a local version of the American Disney Channel. It launched its cable service on August 10, 2010, and its terrestrial broadcast on 31 December 2011. The channel ceased broadcasting on 14 December 2022, due to content licensing issues.[6][7][8][9]

The channel targeted viewers aged 10 to 45 and aired popular animated series, live-action shows, and films, including both Disney originals and Russian-produced content.[10]

## History

[edit]

### Background (1991–2004)

[edit]

Before the creation of Disney Channel in Russia, Disney content, including animated series, TV shows, and films, was broadcast on several Russian channels through blocks such as "Walt Disney Presents" (1991-1992), "Disney Club" (1998-2014), and "The Magical World of Disney" (2007-2013). These blocks aired on major networks like Channel One, RTR, STS, and REN TV. After Disney Channel launched, these blocks were discontinued.

Despite having its own channel, Disney films and animated features continued to premiere on larger federal channels like Channel One until 2017, with STS becoming Disney’s primary partner for premieres. Since 2016, REN TV has aired Disney-owned action and horror films.

In 1999, Fox Kids, a joint venture between News Corporation and Saban Entertainment, launched in Russia. It primarily aired animated series and films from Saban Entertainment, DIC Entertainment, and Marvel. In 2001, The Walt Disney Company acquired Fox Family Worldwide and a controlling stake in Fox Kids Europe, leading to the eventual rebranding of Fox Kids as Jetix.

### Jetix (2005–2009)

[edit]

On 1 January 2005, Fox Kids was rebranded as Jetix.[11][12] The channel continued to air programs from Fox Kids alongside new shows such as W.I.T.C.H., A.T.O.M., and Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go.

On 1 January 2006, Jetix introduced the "Jetix Max" block, a three-hour segment aimed at older audiences featuring comedies, anime, and classic Marvel shows. The channel's broadcast hours were extended to 2:00 AM, and ESPN Classic Sports was removed from the lineup.[13] Later in April 2006, the "Jetix Play" block was launched, featuring animated series from Saban Entertainment and DIC Entertainment.[14]

A proposal to launch a separate Disney Channel in Russia began in January 2007 but was postponed and faced regulatory challenges. A second attempt in early 2009 was blocked by the Federal Antimonopoly Service.[15][16]

On 1 July 2008, Jetix switched to 24-hour broadcasting. Disney increased its stake in Jetix Europe to 99.8% by February 2009.[17] On 19 September 2009, Jetix Russia launched, operating exclusively from Moscow,[18][19][20] with The Walt Disney Company CIS as the owner and Telco Media providing technical support.[21]

### Launch (2010–2015)

[edit]

On 31 March 2010, Disney received a license from Roskomnadzor for broadcasting Disney Channel in Russia,[22][23] and the channel officially launched on 10 August 2010, replacing Jetix.[24] Disney Channel began with the animated film Finding Nemo and initially mirrored the Eastern European Disney Channel feed.[25]

On 20 December 2010, Disney Channel started broadcasting with a +2 time shift for Eastern Russia. The channel offered a mix of Disney content, Jetix series, and domestic productions like Disney 365 and As the Bell Rings.[26] The "Uznavaika" block for preschoolers, akin to Playhouse Disney, was featured until 2020.

On 27 October 2011, Disney acquired a 49% stake in Seven TV to launch Disney Channel on federal frequencies, officially starting on 31 December 2011, with Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas. The channel was managed by LLC 7TV, a joint venture between Disney and UTV Holding. The Disney Channel began airing ABC series, Russian animations, and feature films in various time slots.[27]

From mid-2013, the channel incorporated Russian cartoons and features from studios like Pixar and DreamWorks. It also introduced local children's programming such as Through the Mouth of a Baby and Mom for 5+.[28]

By early 2014, feature films and TV series were reduced, with most programming shifting to nighttime slots. On 1 August 2014, the network underwent a global rebranding and increased the "Big Animation" block to daily.[29] The "Uznavaika" block expanded to 7 hours, and new programs like Everything Interesting: Cinema replaced previous projects.[30][31]

### Reorganization and closure (2016–2022)

[edit]

In January 2016, following amendments to Russian media laws limiting foreign ownership to 20%, UTV Holding increased its stake in Disney Channel Russia to 80%, while The Walt Disney Company retained a 20% share.[32] Despite this, Disney's economic involvement remained at 49%,[33] overseeing content, rights management, and production,[34][35] while UTV handled technical support and distribution.[36]

In 2017, AF Media sold its stake in UTV Holding, and by 2019, all UTV Holding assets, including Disney Channel, were transferred to Media-1. Disney and Media-1 became the sole founders of LLC 7TV.

The channel underwent a rebranding in late 2018, updating its design and logo placement. In early 2020, game series returned to nighttime slots, with daytime broadcasts resuming briefly in June 2020[37] before being removed again in August 2021. The "Uznavaika" block was rebranded to "Dobroe ytro s Mickey" on 1 May 2020, with reduced airtime.[38]

On 11 March 2022, Disney suspended operations in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.[39] By summer 2022, Disney ceased dubbing content in Russian, and the channel's website and social media were shut down by 30 September 2022.[40] The channel ceased broadcasting on 14 December 2022, with its last program being Gravity Falls.[6][7][8][9] Disney exited LLC 7TV,[41][42][43] and Media-1 launched a new channel, Solntse, on the former Disney Channel frequencies.[44] Disney ended its association with Media-1 entirely.

## Programming

[edit]

Disney Channel Russia primarily targeted younger audiences with its programming. From 2010, the channel featured Playhouse Disney content, which was later rebranded to Disney Junior on 1 May 2020. Initially, the programming block aired from early morning until 12:00 p.m., but its airtime gradually decreased over the years.

Early on, Disney Channel Russia mirrored the Eastern European Disney Channel feed and included former Jetix programming. The lineup featured a mix of Disney Channel and Disney XD live-action series, such as Jessie, Austin & Ally, and Lab Rats, alongside animated series from Disney Channel and Jetix like Phineas and Ferb and Kid vs. Kat.

Starting in 2014, the channel shifted focus to children's animation, incorporating Disney XD and Disney Junior series such as Gravity Falls, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, and DuckTales. Live-action programming declined due to cultural differences and financial challenges.[45] A new evening block, "Большая Анимация" ("Great Animation"), replaced the earlier "Your Bright Night!" block, showcasing Disney’s theatrical movies nightly at 7:30 p.m. In 2020, live-action series made a brief return, with the premiere of Gabby Duran & the Unsittables.[46]

### Disney Channel Russia Original Productions

[edit]

* Boljšie semejnye igry ("The Great Family Game", Большие семейные игры)
* Èto moj rebenok?! ("Is this my child?!", Это мой ребенок?!)
* Èto moja komnata! ("This is my room!", Это моя комната!)
* Mama na 5+ ("Mama 5+", Мама на 5+)
* Pravila stilja ("Style rules", Правила стиля)
* Posle školy ("After School", После школы)
* Prikoly na peremenke: Novaja škola ("As the Bell Rings: A New School", Приколы на переменке. Новая школа)
* Ustami mladenca ("The mouth of the baby", Устами младенца)
* Vso interesnoye: Kino ("Everything interesting: Movies", Всё интересное: Кино)

## See also

[edit]

* Jetix
* Jetix Play
* Seven TV
* Disney Channel (Central and Eastern Europe)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Место Disney в России и Белоруссии займет семейный канал "Солнце" » «СОВА-НЬЮС»: Новости России и регионов
2. ^ Канал Disney прекращает вещание в Беларуси » Новости Беларуси - последние новости на сегодня - UDF
3. ^ "Канал Disney ждет реструктуризация". Sostav.ru. 1 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
4. ^ "The Walt Disney может списать инвестиции в российский телеканал после проверки Роскомнадзора". ИА RNS. 10 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
5. ^ "Disney Channel to stop broadcasting in Russia from Dec. 14 - Kommersant". 2 December 2022.
6. ^ a b "Источник". Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
7. ^ a b "Mash: канал Disney перестанет вещать в России с 14 декабря, вместо него запустят "Солнце"". 2 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
8. ^ a b Канал Disney прекращает своё вещание в России.. | TV Archive | VK
9. ^ a b "Канал Disney навсегда прекращает своё вещание в России 14 декабря – ОСН". 2 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
10. ^ "Канал Disney – развлекательный телеканал для всей семьи!". kanal.disney.ru. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
11. ^ канал Jetix //
12. ^ Fox Kids меняет название Archived 27 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine // 9 НОЯБРЯ 2004
13. ^ Sports.ru. 1 March 2004 Прекращение трансляций блока программ ESPN https://ntvplus.ru/company/novosti/prekraschenie-translyatsij-bloka-programm-espn-41 Прекращение трансляций блока программ ESPN. `{{cite web}}`: Check `|url=` value (help); Missing or empty `|title=` (help)
14. ^ Главная //
15. ^ "В России появится телеканал Disney". Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
16. ^ ФАС запретила «дочке» Walt Disney покупку 49% канала «Дисней»
17. ^ Jetix terminates Stock Exchange ::: Jetix
18. ^ Последние изменения на спутниках от 23.09.2009 Archived 26 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine // 24 сентября 2009
19. ^ НОВОСТИ О ТЕЛЕКАНАЛАХ. Часть 1 //
20. ^ Jetix to become Disney Archived 25 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine // MAY 26, 2009
21. ^ "Презентация канала (23 стр.)" (PDF). telcomedia.ru. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 December 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
22. ^ "КАНАЛ ДИСНЕЙ/DYSNEY CHANNEL". Роскомнадзор - Реестр лицензий на деятельность по телерадиовещанию (in Russian). 9 March 2010. Archived from the original on 24 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
23. ^ "Телеканал Disney Channel в России". Disney.ru. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012.
24. ^ ""Ведущими канала Disney будут российские дети"". Ъ-Огонёк. Коммерсантъ. 2 August 2010. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
25. ^ "Disney | Telcomedia". Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
26. ^ "Disney Channel получил лицензию на кабельное вещание в России". Комсомольская правда. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
27. ^ "Российская премьера сериала "Их перепутали в роддоме" на Канале Disney". Кабельщик. 20 November 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
28. ^ "Максим Виторган: "Мы с Ксюшей хотим детей"". Вокруг ТВ. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
29. ^ "Телеканал Disney проводит ребрендинг и усиливает вечерний прайм-тайм". Mediaguide. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
30. ^ "Все интересное" на Канале Дисней. "Зверополис" #ВедущийСергейШубенков - YouTube
31. ^ Реклама, анонсы и рубрика "Всё интересное: Кино" (Disney, 09.08.2021) - YouTube
32. ^ "Холдинг ЮТВ стал владельцем 80% российского Disney". Tvkinoradio.ru. 15 January 2016. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
33. ^ Американский мэйджор не изменил свою экономическую долю в телеканале Disney | Медиа | Новости | AdIndex.ru
34. ^ Светлана Лыско
35. ^ Менеджмент
36. ^ VK.com | VK
37. ^ "Disney запускает два комедийных сериала о нянях". yesmagazine.ru. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
38. ^ «Доброе утро с Микки». Премьера на Канале Disney! on YouTube — видео с Канала Disney
39. ^ "Disney приостановит деятельность в России". ТАСС. 10 March 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
40. ^ "Disney начала процедуру ухода с российского рынка. Сайты и соцсети удалены". 4pda.to. 3 October 2022. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
41. ^ "На месте "Диснея" взошло "Солнце"". 5 December 2022.
42. ^ "Семейный телеканал "Солнце" заменит Disney в эфире с 14 декабря". Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
43. ^ ""Медиа1" заменяет Disney новым телеканалом "Солнце" | Кабельщик". Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
44. ^ "#телевидение #россия Disney в России.. | WG | Official Group | ВКонтакте". vk.com (in Russian). Retrieved 14 December 2022.
45. ^ "Гендиректор Disney в России о том, что кризиса не существует" (in Russian). Rambler News Service. 1 July 2016.
46. ^ "Встречай Джесси и Габби на Канале Disney!". kanal.disney.ru. Retrieved 29 June 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Disney Channel Russia official website
* Official news release by Walt Disney Company CIS

* v
* t
* e

Disney Branded Television

Part of The Walt Disney Company

Networks & blocks|

* Disney Channel
* programming
* Disney Jr.
* programming
* block list
* Disney XD
* programming

Disney Channel|

* Canada
* English
* French
* Central Europe
* Czech Republic
* Hungary
* France
* Belgium
* Germany
* Scandinavia
* Netherlands
* Poland
* Eastern Europe
* Bulgaria
* Czech Republic
* Romania
* Portugal
* Spain
* India
* Hungama TV
* Disney International HD
* Super Hungama
* Japan
* Latin America
* Europe, Middle East and Africa
* Israel

Disney Jr.|

* Europe, Middle East and Africa
* Canada
* India
* Israel
* Latin America (Spanish)
* Spain
* Portugal
* France
* Belgium
* Flanders
* Japan

Disney XD|

* Canada
* Netherlands
* Poland

Defunct|

| Disney Channel|

* Australia and NZ
* Southeast Asia
* South Korea
* Italy
* Turkey
* UK and Ireland
* Russia
* Ukraine

|

Disney Jr.|

* Asia
* Brazil
* Hungary
* Netherlands
* Australia and NZ
* Italy
* Germany
* UK and Ireland
* Scandinavia

Disney XD|

* Africa, MENA, Balkans, and Greece
* Southeast Asia
* Australia and NZ
* India
* Latin America
* Italy
* Spain
* France and Switzerland
* Germany
* UK and Ireland
* Scandinavia and Baltic
* Japan

Other|

* ABC1
* Disney Cinemagic
* Disney Cinema
* Disney in English
* Toon Disney
* Jetix
* Jetix Play
* Soapnet

Studios|

* Disney Television Animation
* It's a Laugh Productions
* Disney Original Documentary

See also|

* History of Disney Channel

* Disney General Entertainment Content
* Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution
* Disney TV programming blocks

* v
* t
* e

Television in Russia

Broadcasting
and regulation|

* Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media
* Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network
* Russian Satellite Communications Company
* Ostankino Technical Center
* Moscow Scientific-Research Television Institute
* All-Russian Research Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting
* Gazprom Space Systems
* Orbita broadcasting system
* State Television and Radio Fund

Terrestrial Nationwide
Digital Broadcasting
Program|

| First Multiplex|

* Channel 1HD
* Channel 2HD
* Channel 3HD
* Channel 4HD
* Channel 5
* Channel 6HD
* Channel 7
* Channel 8HD
* Channel 9HD
* Channel 10HD
* Radio 1
* Radio 25.1
* Radio 3

|

Second Multiplex|

* Channel 11HD
* Channel 12
* Channel 13HD
* Channel 14HD
* Channel 15HD
* Channel 16HD
* Channel 17HD
* Channel 18HD
* Channel 19HD
* Channel 20HD

Terrestrial and
Analog Broadcasting
or Nationwide channels|

| VGTRK|

* Russia-1
* Russia-24
* Russia-K

|

Gazprom-Media|

* NTV
* Match!
* TNT
* TV-3
* Pyatnitsa!
* Subbota!
* TNT4

National Media
Group|

* REN TV (82%)
* Channel Five (72,4%)
* Channel One (19,5%)
* CTC
* Domashny
* Che

Media-1|

* Muz-TV
* U
* Solntse

Other state-owned
channels|

* Carousel2
* TV Center
* OTR
* MIR
* Spas
* Zvezda

Cable/
Satellite/
IPTV/
OTT|

| VGTRK|

* RTR-Planeta
* Solovyov Live (HD)
* My Planet (HD)
* Live Planet
* Nauka (HD)
* Doctor (HD)
* History
* T24
* Russian Roman (HD)
* Russian Bestseller
* Russian Detective
* Komediya
* Mosfilm. Gold collection (HD)
* Cinema
* Kino TV (HD)
* Sarafan
* NST
* Strashnoe HD
* FAN (HD)
* Mama
* Multimuzyka
* Kinomult (HD)
* Mult (HD)
* ANI

|

RT|

* RT English (HD)
* RT DE (HD)
* RTD Russian (HD)
* RTD English (HD)1
* RT French (HD)1
* RT Spanish (HD)1
* RT Arabic (HD)1

Gazprom-Media|

* GPM Entertainment TV
* 2x2
* GPM Information TV
* NTV Style
* NTV Pravo
* NTV Serial
* NTV Hit
* Neizvestnaya Rossiya
* GPM Movies and Thematic TV
* Kinopremiera (HD)
* Kinohit (HD)
* Kinosemiya (HD)
* Muzhskoe Kino (HD)
* Kinosvidanie (HD)
* Kinomiks
* Nashe novoe kino
* Rodnoe Kino
* Kinokomediya
* Indiyskoe kino
* Kinoseriya (HD)
* Kinouzhas (HD)
* Kuhnya (HD)
* HDL (HD)
* 365 Dney (HD)
* La Minor
* Russkaya Noch (HD)
* Auto Plus (HD)
* KVN TV
* Europa Plus TV (HD)
* India (HD)
* Saga TV (HD)
* Zhivi! (HD)
* Supergeroi (HD)
* MMA TV
* GPM Match!
* Match! Planeta1
* Match! Arena (HD)
* Match! Igra (HD)
* Match! Strana (HD)
* Match! Boets (HD)
* Match! Premier (HD)
* Match! Football 1 (HD)
* Match! Football 2 (HD)
* Match! Football 3 (HD)
* KHL (HD)
* KHL Prime (HD)
* Konnyi Mir (HD)

National Media
Group|

* Izvestia (branded as "iz") (HD)
* CTC Love
* CTC Kids (HD)
* 78 (HD)

| Channel One (19,5%)|

* Dom Kino
* Dom Kino Premium (HD)
* Muzika Pervogo
* Vremya
* Telecafe
* Bober
* O!
* Poekhaly! (HD)
* Pobeda (HD)
* Lapki Live (HD)
* Katyusha (HD)1

|

Media Telekom (50%)3|

* Kineko (HD)
* Sapfir (HD)
* Terra (HD)
* Udar (HD)
* .Red (HD)
* .Black (HD)
* .Sci-Fi (HD)
* Mi (HD)
* Appetitny (HD)
* Dialogi o rybalke (distribution)
* Star Media (distribution)
* Star Cinema (HD)
* Star Family (HD)
* BOLT (HD)
* Fenix Film (distribution)
* Fenix plus kino (HD)
* Oruzhie
* Anekdot TV
* Start Broadcasting (distribution)
* Start (HD)
* Start Triumpf (HD)

Moscow Media|

* Moscow 24
* Moscow Doveriye
* Central Television Channel
* 360 - Moscow Region (HD)
* 360 - Moscow News (HD)

SAFMAR Media|

* Bridge
* Bridge Russian Hits
* Bridge Shlyager
* Bridge Fresh
* Bridge Hits
* Bridge Classic
* Bridge Rock
* Baby Time
* Bridge Deluxe (HD)

Viasat Russia|

* Viju TV1000 Russkoe (HD)
* Viju TV1000 (HD)
* Viju TV1000 Action (HD)
* Viju TV1000 Novella (HD)
* Viju TV1000 Romantica (HD)
* Viju Explore (HD)
* Viju History (HD)
* Viju Nature (HD)
* Da Vinci Russia (HD)
* Viju+ Premiere (HD)
* Viju+ Megahit (HD)
* Viju+ Comedy (HD)
* Viju+ Serial (HD)
* Viju+ Planet (HD)
* Viju+ Sport (HD)

Others|

* 24.KZ (HD)
* Jibek Joly TV (HD)
* Jibek Joly Cinema (HD)
* CCTV-4
* CGTN
* CGTN Russian
* Russian Music Box (HD)
* Music Box Gold
* TNT Music (planned Fonbet Music)
* O2TV (HD)
* Shanson TV
* TV channel Strana FM (HD)
* Zhara! TV (HD)
* Zvezda Plus
* RU.TV (HD)
* RBC TV (HD)
* MIR 24 (HD)
* RTVI1
* RTVI Retro1

| Internet and
satellite only|

* TV Rain (HD)
* Svoboda (HD)
* Svoboda News (HD)
* Euronews Russian (HD)
* Current Time TV (HD)
* DW Russian (HD)
* Vot Tak TV (programm blocks) (HD)
* FreeDom (HD)

|

Defunct|

* Life
* Life78
* A-One
* AMC Russia
* Russia-2
* Telenyanya
* Bibigon
* MGM Russia
* TV-6
* TVS
* Seven
* DTV
* Rambler Teleset
* Otkrytyi Mir
* M1
* Moscow Television Channel
* TeleExpo
* 4Multimania (in Russia)
* Nashe TV
* Tsargrad TV
* MIR Premium
* RT America
* RT UK
* Euronovosti
* Sony Channel
* Sony Turbo
* Sony Sci-Fi
* UFC TV
* FOX
* FOX Life
* National Geographic
* National Geographic Wild
* BabyTV
* Kanal Disney
* Discovery
* Animal Planet
* Discovery Science
* Travel Channel
* ID
* DTX
* TLC
* HGTV
* Food Network
* Motor Trend
* Eurosport 1
* Eurosport 2
* Eurosport Gold
* Eurosport 4K
* Discovery Ultra
* CNN International
* Cartoon Network
* Boomerang
* VH1 Russia
* VH1 Europe
* Club MTV
* MTV Hits
* MTV Russia
* Paramount Comedy
* Paramount Channel
* Nickelodeon
* Nickelodeon HD
* Nick Jr.
* Nicktoons
* Zee TV Russia

1Channels don't broadcast in Russia, 2Joint venture Channel One and VGTRK, 3Joint venture National Media Group and Rostelecom
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