Disney Channel set to return to Spanish television as pay-TV offering

The Walt Disney Company will relaunch Disney Channel in Spain on April 1, just over a year after the channel left the country’s digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform.

According to Spanish newspaper El País, the channel will reappear as a pay-TV service, replacing Disney Junior on Spanish subscription television platforms.

The move marks a shift in strategy after Disney Channel ended its 27-year presence on Spain’s DTT network in January 2025, following the expiry of an agreement between Disney Iberia and Net TV, the operator responsible for carrying the channel on the platform.

Under the new model, the relaunched Disney Channel will target a broader audience, focusing mainly on children aged 6 to 11 while still offering programming for younger viewers through dedicated Disney Junior segments.

The decision also reflects the relatively modest performance of Disney Junior as a standalone pay-TV channel in Spain, where it attracted a small share of the television audience. The revamped Disney Channel is expected to feature a mix of established franchises and newer titles, including series such as Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Kiff, and films from the Z-O-M-B-I-E-S franchise, alongside specials linked to classic hits like Hannah Montana.

Although Disney continues to prioritise its streaming platform Disney+, the return of Disney Channel suggests the company still sees value in maintaining a presence on traditional television as it adapts to evolving viewing habits among younger audiences.