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43 February 24th, 2012 Disney Junior unveiled! SOAPnet’s replacement set to premiere March 23rd!

Courtesy/DisneyJunior

Here it is soapers!  Your first look at Disney Junior, the 24 hour cable network that will replace the only 24/7 soap opera television network, SOAPnet!   March 23rd is the date that for many of the country you will go from seeing the drama of the boardroom and the bedroom, to watching animated figures with shows such as Doc McStuffins, Gaspard and Lisa, and Jake and the Never Land Pirates!”

ABC/Disney is gunning for pre-schoolers 2-5 and their moms, instead of airing same day and date episodes of your favorite soaps, The Young and the Restless, Days of our Lives, and General Hospital.   While this is another black day for soap fans, it forces us to look for, or continue , the other options once again to see your soaps :  afternoon viewing, your DVR/Tivo, or watching them online.

Here are some excerpts from ABC’s release heralding in their new cable outlet for kiddies!

“Disney Junior, a 24-hour basic cable/satellite channel expressly for kids age 2-7 and their parents/caregivers, will launch Friday March 23 (12:00 midnight, ET/PT) in the U.S., joining 28 other Disney Junior channels around the world. The announcement was made today at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, California, by Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. Disney Junior was introduced as a daily programming block on Disney Channel in February 2010 and, year to year, its ratings are up 26% among Kids 2-5 and 36% among Boys 2-5.

Courtesy/DisneyJunior

The popular Disney Junior daily programming block will continue on Disney Channel while the new 24 hour channel will fulfill parents’ demands for quintessentially Disney programming throughout the day. The Disney Junior channel will be available via major cable and satellite providers Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Bright House Networks and Verizon, among others.

Marsh said: “This marks the beginning of a sea change in the ‘preschool plus’ television landscape. The response to our Disney Junior programming block has been extremely positive from both our affiliate partners and our viewers’ parents. On March 23, when it launches as a stand-alone channel, our audience will have the opportunity to experience an engaging, learning-focused and uniquely Disney destination on a 24-hour basis.”

Disney Junior invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. A council of academic advisors comprising experts in the fields of child development, transmedia, storytelling, early education and creativity will guide Disney Junior’s learning and development curriculum.

Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, said: “Disney Junior series each have specific curriculum experts and now, to maximize overall learning value, we are deepening our conversation to include a channel advisory council that will share research and knowledge in the world of education and bring important perspectives on innovations in early childhood learning.”

The programming schedule includes:  “Doc McStuffins” – an animated series about a six-year-old girl who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and toys in her backyard clinic. Under the consultancy of the Hollywood Health & Society division of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center, the series will highlight the importance of taking care of oneself and others, while showcasing the hallmarks of great Disney storytelling – fantasy and wish fulfillment. Emmy Award-winning writer/producer Chris Nee (“Little Bill” and “Deadliest Catch: Crab Fishing in Alaska”) is the creator and executive producer, and Emmy Award-winning Norton Virgien (“Rugrats”) is the director. “Doc McStuffins” is a production of the Dublin, Ireland-based Brown Bag Films (two time Academy Award nominee for “Granny O’Grimm” and “Give Up Yer Aul Sins”).

“A Poem Is…” — Laura Linney, Viola Davis, John Leguizamo, Jessica Alba, Owen Wilson and Liev Schreiber are among the narrators of the second season of the acclaimed short-form series designed to introduce young children to the beauty of a poem.

“Magical World of Disney Junior” — a weekend movie night featuring telecasts of Disney’s vast array of classic and contemporary movies, including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Bambi,” “Dumbo,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Cars,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Aladdin,” among others.

“Gaspard and Lisa” — the adventures of two best friend puppies as they experience the wonders and challenges of school and family life in their Paris neighborhood. Based on the books by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben, “Gaspard and Lisa” is produced by Chorion.

“Guess How Much I Love You” — a tender animated series centered on the father-son relationship between Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare. Based on the UK picture book, Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram, the series will air exclusively on Disney Junior the Channel. “Guess How Much I Love You” is a production of the Australia-based SLR Productions.

In addition to current hits “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and “Special Agent Oso,” the channel will also present viewer favorites from the past, “Higglytown Heroes,” “Stanley,” “JoJo’s Circus” and “Rolie Polie Olie,” among others.

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior’s animated and live action series blend Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. Disney Junior launched in February 2011 with a daily programming block on Disney Channel. In its first year, Disney Junior posted the network’s biggest yearly audience in the daypart in Total Viewers, Kids 2-5, Boys 2-5, Girls 2-5 and Women 18-49 and increased by double-digit margins among preschooler demographics over year-ago levels.”

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43
  1. Nancy Wizner says:
    February 24, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Not a fan! My kids are grown. This station will be OFF my TV the same as ABC! So sorry to see Soapnet go because I work all day and do not own a DVR recorder to watch whatever soaps are left. Guess its time to invest in one. Thanks for keeping us informed on all the fun stuff, Michael!

    Reply

  2. barbara t says:
    February 24, 2012 at 11:39 am

    im trying to remember ,where have I see these cartoons before?I dont know, all over the place ,looks like its going to happen, no change of heart from abc/disney,they are proving there hate for the soaps ,by insulting us with another network for kids,and they are killing the one and only soap channel that we have .they dont hear us ,this is why I will not watch anything that network puts out there ,abc could have kept that channel played the old soaps create new ones ,and let the continuing stories in pine valley and landview go on,and those stupid cartoons that will be showing on disney junior put them where there other kid shows are, how many disney channels are there ,I cant get rid of the dam things ,because I live in florida, disney lets us have it for free ,no package ,if I could get rid of those channels I would,wish there was a way without disrupting my other channels ,I have to call my provider today see what I can do.I know they have to get some money for the places that do show the disney garbage.the channels are never allowed in my home ,but I wonder if there still on, with the cable that you have and its counted as a rating boost,I hope not .heather thats another question for you ,is it counted if its on your package ,but you dont watch it.I would like to know .Im sick over this, even though we knew it was going to happen.I hope we dont loose general hospital.abc is killing everything Im farmiliar with.after march 22 gh is all abc owns ,whats going to happen next?

    Reply

    Bonnie replied February 24th, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    how many 3-7 year olds are up past 9:00 at night, this is sooo stupid!! Barbara, if the ratings do not go up on GH it will be gone in September.

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 24th, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    I know,my kids were never up that late ,they should be in bed ,I dont get it ,and I am worried about general hospital,the ratings have to get better abc has no problem cancelling soaps.

  3. MBmomof3 says:
    February 24, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Disney, you stink! As my moniker indicates, I am a “mom of 3″ and I can tell you the last thing my household needs is another TV Channel for kids! My soaps are my “me” time. As a hard-working wife & mother I don’t think that is too much to ask.

    I am in full-boycott of ALL things Disney because of the cancellation of the ABC soaps & SoapNet.

    I’m sure CEO Robert Iger has plenty of “me” time with his $50,000,000+ 2011 earnings. Give the rest of us 99% a break. I even paid more for my cable bill for SoapNet.

    Reply

    MBmomof3 replied February 24th, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    I should add, I contacted my cable provider to complain about the change and will change my cable plan once SoapNet is off the air. I’ll save some money, but I’d rather have my soaps.

    By the way, advertising sponsors, I make the purchasing decisions in our households, not my kids. I am watching who advertises on all ABC/Disney channels and actively boycotting them too.

    Reply

  4. Michael says:
    February 24, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Another reason to hope Anne Sweeney gets fired ala Brain Frons. I wish soapfans would unite on March 22nd and create a plan to boycott ABC for one entire day/week. I LOVE SoapNet- I really hate ABC.

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 26th, 2012 at 11:57 am

    I havent watched anything on abc since my soaps were canceled,all I watch is general hospital,television goes on at 3 off at 4.abc/disney will never have me as a fan anymore.Once I make up my mind to do something ,I stick to it.Ill never change my mind about that network ,unless all my children and one life to live are brought back where they belong.

    Reply

  5. Dr. Donald G. Boudreau says:
    February 24, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    We, as in our family and friends are continuing our boycotting of ALL THINGS ABC and Disney for their having canceled “One Life to Live” and “All My Children.” In response to these cancellation policy decisions, decisions made by Disney’s Robert Iger and ABC’s Anne Sweeney and Brian Frons, evidence is emerging suggesting that ABC is witnessing half of the Daytime audience fan base fleeing its network programming entirely, as some acutely perceptive observers (i.e. including among others, the acutely prescient Robin Strasser, et al.) many months ago had well predicted would be the tragic outcome. In an honorable business culture, these three individuals would have already committed a form of corporate “hari kari” for having offended and injured as many parties as they have through their rank incompetence, poor business decision making, and despicable treatment of their customers/loyal viewers of many decades duration. And, moreover, for their manifest classless crude abuse, deception, and disrespect they rained on the ever talented casts and crews of “One Life to Live” and “All My Children.” Iger, Frons, and Sweeney are disgraces to the honorable traditions that have historically prevailed in the American entertainment and broadcasting industries, and the latter Ms. Sweeney in having been complicit to the extreme in Mr. Frons’ notorious in the public record, chronic repeated ageist and sexist conduct, is a disgrace to the American womens movement that tragically paved the opportunity for her; powerfully witness her wrecking operations in a Bain Capital-like looting fashion of a great American storytelling genre birthed by writer Agnes Nixon that sustained primetime programming on this country’s networks for decades. Moreover, the three of them, Iger, Sweeney and Frons went on to replace such iconic American classics (and their millions of LOYAL daytime viewers) with junk programming a la The Spew and The Revulsion in further debasing the American contemporary television medium. Shame on the three of them and let damn be done! ABC/Disney: Release the rights now being held “hostage” to those shows and allow another network or cable provider to bring these shows back to their audiences. For once, do the right thing and cease your contemptuous conduct toward your customer base that is inimical to every sound contemporary business practice. Begin, then, to advertise ABC in a positive public light. Or perhaps better that Disney “do you” (Karma) as you did unto others, and denigrate and humiliate, and sell you off at a fire sale…now, there’s an idea….why, thank you Fortune Magazine….

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 24th, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    I hope that abc /disney has spies and they come here and read what all of us have to say about there cancellation of our soaps and how many people were hurt in there decision to do so,and again you tell it like it is .I wish we could get agnes nixons rights to her stories,I dont understand abc/disneys ,keeping the stories hostage ,they say the soaps are dead,so give them up,how can they loose ,I think I read it here ,someone wrote if they dont have them, no one else will get them ,now thats greed.I really wish we could sink abc ,daytime and prime time.again ,another good post,dr donald g.boudreau.

    Reply

    1loveabcsoaps replied February 26th, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    Nice having a doctor on the site, LOL.

    Reply

    1loveabcsoaps replied February 26th, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    Doc, Shelly and I (1loveabcsoaps) have some good idea’s posted below. What do you think of them and do you have any to ADD to our list?

    Reply

  6. sue says:
    February 24, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    The last thing we need is another reason for kids to stay indoors, Disney & ABC you really did not think this through. I have enjoyed soapnet for years ( also paid extra on direct tv ) Missing all my stories, I will contune to Boycott all ABC shows ( except GH) and ALL DISNEY ( already cancled family fun magazine & movie club) now i record All My Children, One Life to live & General Hospital. guess i will have plenty of room on my recorder after Soapnet is gone. You really don’t pay attention to the consumer , we as parents, grandparents & aunts are the one who buys for the kids. and we choose what they watch on TV. wish more could be done to bring our stories back. On another note i find it funny that ABC has blocked several of us from posting on thier facebook pages (If they don’t agree with us they delete our post and block us)

    Reply

  7. david says:
    February 24, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    “A 24-hour basic cable/satellite channel expressly for kids age 2-7 and their parents/caregivers.” To watch together? Or does Disney mean parents/caregivers can park their kids in front of the television and forget about them? What children ages 2-7 are awake and watching television 24 hours a day? Add a vending machine to dispense food and you can leave the kids alone for a week at a time. Disney Junior–the substitute parents/caregiver–addicts your children to mindless television, freeing up more of your time for what’s really important.

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 24th, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    I know, who lets there kids watch tv in the middle of the night?alot of parents today do use the tv to baby sit there kids,no wonder the family is dying .I like your vending machine to dispense food,and leave them for a week ,the last thing I ever wanted to do was to bond with my kids in front of a dam tv.someday I would love to count all the kid channels out there ,then ask abc/disney why they were hell bent in destroying the only soap channel for another kid show.

    Reply

  8. gloria says:
    February 24, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    Gag me. This is another stupid move by ABC/Disney. I detest both of them-only watch ABC for GH. That is it. Why on earth can’t the Disney Kids get a channel of their own? Why, why, why, are soap lovers losing everything? Damn it. This is frustrating. Just sick over it all. Today I was watching GH on the treadmill & during a commercial actually reached for the remote, just for a second to see what was happening on Guiding Light! Crazy, huh? But I used to love to switch back & forth & watch all the soaps. I hate 2012.

    Reply

  9. david says:
    February 25, 2012 at 12:00 am

    I don’t understand when there is a channel for every conceivable type of human interest that there cannot be one channel on this planet for soap operas. Are children ages 2-7 a bigger spending consumer audience than the people who watch soaps? Last time I checked, most kids this age don’t have credit cards, disposable income, or shop for their families.

    Reply

    gloria replied February 26th, 2012 at 5:31 pm

    Oh, I have been screaming this from the rooftops since last April. I mean, seriously, there is literally a channel devoted to interest you can think of but they are robbing soaps fans blind. I love SoapNet, just love it-I loved Soap Talk with Ty & Lisa Rinna, and I loved One Day with Wally Kurth & Soapography. I don’t know what happened to these shows but they were so good. And you would think, not expensive to produce. I was hoping SoapNet would pick up shows like Another World, Santa Barbara, Loving, there are so many to choose from. If the networks are gonna cancel our current shows why can’t someone just have a channel for reruns of old soaps? Aren’t tapes just gathering dust somewhere, how expensive could that cost to rerun old shows?? That would be better than nothing. This Disney Kids sickens me.

    Reply

  10. Scott says:
    February 25, 2012 at 1:17 am

    To be honest, I’m NOT upset by this. They’re re-airing all of my childhood shows so I can’t be too bittersweet about it. And yes, soap fans will slam me but I’m trying to see my own positive about this. I can re-live my childhood and share with my baby cousin.

    Reply

  11. LUMI says:
    February 25, 2012 at 6:17 am

    as soon as soapnet is gone,so is my cable bill,thats 70$ amonth I can save for gas and food

    Reply

    Christy replied February 25th, 2012 at 7:41 pm

    I had my cable shut off July 2008, (to save $50 a month) so this boycott will be easy!! :-) I don’t know why they can’t play old soaps and have kids programming too. Like others said, play one during the daytime, other at night! I still wouldn’t pay $50 tho!

    Reply

  12. ethel says:
    February 25, 2012 at 7:05 am

    why couldn’t tptb & tiic show programs during the day for the kids & still show the soaps at night????

    Reply

    Sherry replied February 25th, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    Because Ethel that would involve ABC/Disney actually have a heart and brain and compromising with the fans.

    Reply

  13. Robert C says:
    February 25, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    If Disney wanted to added Disney Jr i am not to upset about that but they could have seen if the cable companies would add the station and kept Soapnet on the air instead of replacing one network with another one.On Comcast Cable in Sacramento their are more then one network that has the exact same programming on at the same time on more then one channel like our local CBS Channel which has the same shows on at the same time on channels 13 and 90 and the GSN is on more then 1 channel with the same shows and thats not including the HDTV Channels they could put on CBS and the GSN on one channel each and free up 2 stations.

    Reply

  14. 1loveabcsoaps says:
    February 25, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    Let’s continue to find other ways to BOYCOTT abc.
    1. Send soap to the abc studio
    2. Cancel cable and get the dish (support no disney shows)
    3. Call Disney 818.460.7477/ 663 818.560.1000
    4. Watch no abc channels BUT support General Hospital at 3pm, and change channel.
    5. Tell your friends and family to do same, and REMIND them to make sure they are.
    6. Post abc boycott on your Facebook accounts
    7. Sign all petitions and start your own petitions. We want OLTL back.
    8. Email Oprah, Call her, Twitter her, Facebook the HELL out of her & ask her to reconsider. Noone will care about her back-tracking. She needs viewership, and that calculated to income. Get your friends & family (especially young people who love ALL things social media) involved in getting their friends to bagger Oprah like hell.
    9. Get together with your soap friend pal’s and take out an add in a Newspaper, (especially if you live in a major market, Phili, Chicago, NYC, LA) about the lost of your soap and disappointment. This will attract publicity and make the news, then someone will see it as a gold mine as a Market X, that isn’t being forfilled.
    10. Do these things everyday, get other’s involved, remind them. If you forget a day, not lose stamina-get back with it the next. DON’T GIVE UP THE FIGHT.

    PS. Brainstorm with other people about what else we can do.

    Reply

    Shelly replied February 26th, 2012 at 7:20 am

    I have a plan and it’s very simple:
    1) For the time being, I only watch GH on ABC.
    2) My trip next 2 weeks to central FL, for the first time ever, will not include a visit to the Mouse House.
    3) On March 23, I intend to contact my cable company and have all the Dis channels removed from my lineup.
    4) IF GH is cancelled, I will draft a letter to my local ABC affiliate explaining why I will no longer watch their channel. Local affiliates survive by local advertising. If I have the time, I will personally phone those who advertise during GH, and explain, sorry, I’m no longer watching.
    5) As I did when OLTL went off on 1/13, I posted a very negative response to the affiliates FB post: (paraphrasing) “Arent you excited for the Monday debut of the ______?” It started a deluge of negative posts, NO ONE wanted to see that show.

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 27th, 2012 at 9:01 am

    Im with you 1loveabcsoaps .cant think of any more we can do to ,you pretty much covered it all. we cant give up,im not .and I continue to call and e mail abc/disney every day sometimes more .keep signing the petitions on facebook.we cant give up.

    Reply

  15. liz says:
    February 26, 2012 at 9:50 am

    This is really upsetting. At least for now, I can watch classic episodes of OLTL & AMC. It has softened the blow of losing them both. When SoapNet goes off the air, I don’t know what I’ll do. I really miss my soaps! I have watched both since day one. This is just too hard to take. ABC/D, I wish someone would cancel your existence, you evil, rat bastards! Have an effing magical day.

    Reply

    gloria replied February 26th, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    I know what you mean, having SoapNet & the reruns was a comfort-this is just another blow to soap fans. I agree with every word you said. ABC & Disney can go straight to hell.

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 27th, 2012 at 8:55 am

    Im with you liz ,I love you calling them , the rat bastards <I have a few choice words to call them to, but I cant use them here.I hope abc/disney has a magical day and there new shows, all of them ,make them wish upon a star that they never would have canceled our soaps ,they sure wanted to get out of the soap business ,didnt they ?another disappointment for us.

    Reply

    Jamie L replied March 25th, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    i cant agree more i love my soaps i hate 2012 i rather get hit by a astriod then lose my soaps thanks for nothing abcd and disney i really hope this is the end of the world this year then i will die laughing at you guys hahahaha

    Reply

  16. Alley says:
    February 26, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Where will I get my Gilmore Girls fix on the weekends? Damn them! Looks like my cable bill will be a little less money as well.

    I’ve already been boycotting ABC. The only show I watch is GH and if it’s cancelled, bye bye ABC for good.

    This sucks.

    Reply

    gloria replied February 26th, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    I fell in love with Brothers & Sisters on SoapNet, never watched it on ABC but recently I realized SoapNet was starting it over with the very first episode. I have been dvr-ing it like crazy but March 23 will be here before I get all the shows recorded. Damn it. Will have to buy dvds or something. I was hoping to get into Gilmore Girls next but I guess not. I love SoapNet & will miss it like I miss everything else that is being taken away from us.

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 27th, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    dont stop watching brothers and sisters, another show abc/disney got rid of that they shouldnt have ,there family meals are so funny reminds me when my gang gets together,I dont think abc/disney likes family shows, not like they use to.there prime time shows are getting trashier and trashier .so abc/disney is not missed in my home.

  17. Appleridge says:
    February 26, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Arent some cable proviuders still carrying soapnet past March 23rd?

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 26th, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    I dont see how if its been turned into disney junior ,on march 23rd.of all the networks that are out there we cant have one soap channel, makes no sense.

    Reply

    Heather replied February 27th, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Yes but only temporary until they are able to carry Disney Junior.

  18. 1loveabcsoaps says:
    February 27, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    Yes, brother and sister’s was a Great Show…., and could have used better marketng and advertising…. I love Sally Field. A Big Sally Fan…

    Reply

    barbara t replied February 27th, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    it was one of my favorite shows ,another killing by abc/disney that show had a lot of life left in it.I was so disappointed when it was canceled but I wasnt surprised.seems that abc is getting away from family programming .I miss the walkers to.also think the time should have been changed put on earlier.

    Reply

  19. lipstickcat says:
    February 29, 2012 at 9:51 am

    Why can’t they atleast throw us a bone & show old episodes of AMC & OLTL? It won’t cost them anything & they can leave Soapnet alone! We don’t need anymore kids channels! There must be a dozen already! They’re only used to sell products to kids so they can bug their parents to buy them junk!

    Reply

  20. Dmitri says:
    March 1, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    This is complete s***!!! Disney already has Disney Playhouse in the morning for little kids, why spoil it for us soapfans with yet another one when this is not needed?

    Reply

  21. Tina says:
    March 15, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    I for one do not understand WHY children would need a 24 hour station, when children are supposed to be in bed !!! I am one show away from blocking ABC and Disney from my televisions. If General Hospital goes, so does ABC and Disney right off my remote, I PROMISE I will block the channels. No more purchasing Disney products either !!! Tired of their total disregard for all of us loyal soap fans !
    Sign me ” pis**d off and had enough” !!!

    Reply

  22. ruth s overton says:
    January 10, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    i’m excited to find where disney jr is or will be in march, 2013. “that’s fresh” sounds totally fascinating. guess it’s a cooking show to show how to cook healthier. i’ve gained two sizes due to a foot problem. can’t wait to learn to cook healthier.

    Reply

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