Playhouse Disney
Encyclopedia
Playhouse Disney was Disney Channel
's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States
. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children ages 4-8. The block was rebranded as Disney Junior
, Disney Channel's current preschool block, on February 14, 2011.
History
Playhouse Disney started on the Disney Channel
on May 8, 1997. However it didn't use its actual on-screen logo until January 22 2001 & on July 27 2001 it re-launched with new graphics. On September 9, 2002, the block re-launched with a new logo and an animated yellow clay ball named Clay, who's catchphrase was, "It's True!
The previous programming announcer was actress Allyce Beasley
, best known for her role as Agnes DiPesto on Moonlighting
, and also as Miss Grotke on Recess
. On January 1, 2007, it received substantial upgrades to their on-air show. At this time, Clay was replaced by two monkey hosts, Ooh and Aah
.
Every summer since 2007, usually starting sometime in May, Playhouse Disney's end time on weekdays aired only four hours. Disney Channel original series are aired over this time slot during the change of lineup. On weekends, Playhouse Disney still aired six hours.
. Playhouse Disney aired for the last time on February 13, 2011. The last program to air was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
with the final short series being Handy Manny's School for Tools. After that, Disney aired an advertisement for Disney Junior, and then Ooh and Aah's daily sign-off.
On February 14, 2011, Disney Junior launched, in preparation to launch a 24/7 network for it sometime in February 2012. It will replace Disney's SOAPnet
channel, which has a subscriber base of 75 million viewers. The first program to air was Jake and the Never Land Pirates
.
. Between 4:00 and 6:00, when Playhouse Disney programs aired under the regular Disney Channel branding, there were commercials for Disney properties as there are for other Disney Channel programs.
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children ages 4-8. The block was rebranded as Disney Junior
Disney Junior
Disney Junior is a current program block on Disney Channel and an upcoming American basic cable and satellite television network intended to replace SOAPnet in February 2012. It began airing on February 14, 2011, replacing Playhouse Disney....
, Disney Channel's current preschool block, on February 14, 2011.
History
Playhouse Disney started on the Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
on May 8, 1997. However it didn't use its actual on-screen logo until January 22 2001 & on July 27 2001 it re-launched with new graphics. On September 9, 2002, the block re-launched with a new logo and an animated yellow clay ball named Clay, who's catchphrase was, "It's True!
The previous programming announcer was actress Allyce Beasley
Allyce Beasley
Allyce Beasley is an American actress. She is known for her role as rhyming, love-struck receptionist Agnes DiPesto in the television series Moonlighting. For several years , she has been the announcer on Playhouse Disney, a morning lineup of programming for toddlers on The Disney Channel...
, best known for her role as Agnes DiPesto on Moonlighting
Moonlighting (TV series)
Moonlighting is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 3, 1985, to May 14, 1989. The network aired a total of 66 episodes...
, and also as Miss Grotke on Recess
Recess (TV series)
Recess is an American animated television series created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere and produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. The series focuses on six elementary school students and their interaction with other classmates and teachers...
. On January 1, 2007, it received substantial upgrades to their on-air show. At this time, Clay was replaced by two monkey hosts, Ooh and Aah
Ooh, Aah & You
Ooh, Aah & You was a series of short programs for children which aired during the Playhouse Disney line up. They were a pair of monkey puppets. Aah was the red monkey and Ooh was the blue monkey. During March 2007, they became the official hosts of Playhouse Disney. They introduced the various...
.
Every summer since 2007, usually starting sometime in May, Playhouse Disney's end time on weekdays aired only four hours. Disney Channel original series are aired over this time slot during the change of lineup. On weekends, Playhouse Disney still aired six hours.
Disney Junior
In 2010, Disney announced that Playhouse Disney would be replaced with a new block, Disney JuniorDisney Junior
Disney Junior is a current program block on Disney Channel and an upcoming American basic cable and satellite television network intended to replace SOAPnet in February 2012. It began airing on February 14, 2011, replacing Playhouse Disney....
. Playhouse Disney aired for the last time on February 13, 2011. The last program to air was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a children's television series, that premiered in prime time on Disney Channel on May 5, 2006. The program was originally part of the Playhouse Disney daily block intended for preschoolers...
with the final short series being Handy Manny's School for Tools. After that, Disney aired an advertisement for Disney Junior, and then Ooh and Aah's daily sign-off.
On February 14, 2011, Disney Junior launched, in preparation to launch a 24/7 network for it sometime in February 2012. It will replace Disney's SOAPnet
SOAPnet
SOAPnet is an American cable television channel that broadcasts current and past soap operas and primetime dramas, along with some original programming. The channel launched on January 20, 2000, and is owned by Disney-ABC Television Group, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
channel, which has a subscriber base of 75 million viewers. The first program to air was Jake and the Never Land Pirates
Jake and the Never Land Pirates
Jake and the Never Land Pirates is a musical animated Disney Junior show based on the successful Disney franchise, Peter Pan. It is the first Disney Junior original show following the switch from Playhouse Disney...
.
Programming
Playhouse Disney would broadcast 4:00 am to 2:00 pm ET (3:00 am to 1:00 pm CT) on weekdays, and from 4:00 am to 9:00 am ET, (3:00 am to 8:00 am CT) on weekends, each running a different schedule. They would feature 22-minute standard length shows, interspersed with short 3-5 minute shorts and music videos. Introducing each show were two monkey puppets, Ooh and Aah. Between these times, there were no commercials played during Playhouse Disney (though Disney Channel, being a commercial-free cable channel, does not air regular commercials anyway), though short "promotional spots" did run every so often, such as often seen on PBSPublic Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
. Between 4:00 and 6:00, when Playhouse Disney programs aired under the regular Disney Channel branding, there were commercials for Disney properties as there are for other Disney Channel programs.