Page "Disney Channel" Paragraph 44

* Disney Junior-Disney Channel currently programs shows targeted at preschool-age children on Monday through Fridays from 6 a. m .– 2 p. m. and weekends from 6 – 9 a. m. ET / PT, called Disney Junior, which debuted on February 14, 2011.

During the summer months, the block ends at 9 am ET / PT on weekdays.

, the only programming featuring classic Disney characters is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Junior, and the Have a Laugh!

short films on the network itself.

Current programming in this block includes Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Special Agent Oso, Imagination Movers, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jungle Junction, 3rd and Bird, Babar and the Adventures of Badou and Doc McStuffins.

Disney Junior is the successor to Playhouse Disney, another preschool-targeted block which debuted in September 1997.

Disney Junior became its own basic cable and satellite channel on March 23, 2012, replacing Soapnet.

The Disney Junior channel is a direct competitor to Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. channel, NBC and ION's qubo and PBS and Comcast's PBS Kids Sprout.