Disney Channel India is an Indian animation channel for children, which broadcasts original Disney shows and movies as well as third party or acquired programming. Broadcast of the Disney Channel India started in 2004 in India. All internationally broadcast shows are available with English and Hindi audio, while locally produced shows are available in Hindi only. This is exclusively for children. It is marketed solely to children under or of the age of 15. The channel is presently available on basic cable and satellite television. The network is based at Mumbai, Maharashtra. India was the first country where the company developed local Disney Channel shows, something it is now doing in Britain and Japan, too.
History of Disney Channel India
Disney Channel India was launched in the year 2004, under the ownership of the Walt Disney Company India. The Channel is very well accepted by Children between 5-15 years of age. At present, Disney Channel India has two -channels, Disney XD India (previously known as Toon Disney or Jetix) and Hungama TV. It also has a block named Playhouse Disney, which is especially for toddlers. It resumed as Disney Jr. on July 4th, 2011. In 2006, Disney channel aired the New Year with its second major original local production Dhoom Machaao Dhoom, a daily soap. Dhoom is Disney`s sophomore effort at producing TV shows in India-its first, Vicky aur Vetaal was based on an Indian myth about a prince and a genie-like figure. The new series tells the story of four young girls who team up to form a band against all odds, reflecting the tastes, preferences and struggles of the present generation children.
In April, 2007, the Disney Triple Treat Movie block was started. It aired on weekends and featured 3 movies simultaneously. This block terminated in June, 2007.
Programmes of Disney Channel India
Amongst the national shows aired on Disney are Break Time Masti Time, Vicky & Vetaal, Dhoom Machaao Dhoom, Agadam Bagdam Tigdam etc. It also featured numerous popular international shows as well like Lizzie McGuire, That`s So Raven, Hannah Montana, Ducktales, Mickey Mouse and Friends, The Legend of Tarzan, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Timon and Pumbaa and many more. The channel also telecast original Disney movies like the Toy Story series, Feluda-The Kathmandu Caper, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Lilo & Stitch, Chicken Little, Bambi, Up etc. amongst the new shows, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Handy Manny, Art Attack India, Presto and Have a Laugh, have gained immense popularity.
Events and Contests of Disney Channel India
Disney Channel, as part of its school contact programme, also visited schools in various cities in India to promote the Disney stars. The channel had structured the My School Rocks contest, where participants from various schools performed a Hindi version of songs from the smash hit High School Musical. St. Xavier`s of Mumbai, The winning school, got the opportunity to participate in a music video directed by Saroj Khan. The contest was again repeated to promote High School Musical 2.
In 2011, they launched another exciting contest named The Summer Belongs to You Contest, which included the Phineas and Ferb contest for the period April, May, June 2011. The winner of the Phineas and Ferb contest will win a free trip to Walt Disney World Resort Orlando, and a chance to meet Phineas and Ferb. The contest will end on June 15th 2011.
The new slot of Disney Junior India was launched on Disney Channel India, on July 4th, 2011, by replacing India`s Playhouse Disney version. This block broadcasts programmes in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and English.