Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior will be off air in the UK starting October 2020. Content will be moved to Disney+, the company confirmed to Hollywood Reporter.

Goodbye Disney Channel
Last year, Disney's former CEO and Chairman Bob Iger said that Disney+ is "the most important product our company has launched in a long time, certainly in my tenure", which spans over 20 years.

It is therefore hardly surprising to see the company shift movies from a theatrical release to Disney+ and now start axing channels.

Starting with the UK, Disney will close down its three linear channels Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior from October 1, 2020. Content will be moved to streaming service Disney+.



- "The direct-to-consumer service, which garnered more than 54.5 million subscribers worldwide in its first seven months, will now premiere all the latest films, series and specials from the three Disney Channels, along with offering a rich and expansive back catalogue of Disney Channel titles in the U.K., including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Descendants 3 and Phineas and Ferb," said Disney.

National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild og Fox channels will remain on air for now. Plans for other countries will be announced later. Disney did not rule out continued distribution agreements beyond 2020 for other countries than the UK.

- Source: Disney via Hollywood Reporter