Disney Channel Deutschland will launch in January 2014 replacing the current general entertainment channel Das Vierte.
The new Disney Channel will replace the current Das Vierte on all platforms, cable, DTT, IPTV and satellite DTH. The company officially took over Das Vierte last December following the green light from the KEK media monopolies authority.
Lars Wagner, general manager of Disney Channel, will also head the new channel: “With a free to air Disney Channel, the offer of family television for German viewers will increase immensely. TV viewers now get a portal to the movie and TV world of Disney on a free TV channel. This gives children and families a better access to the Disney World experience. ”
Disney Germany will continue to operate the successful joint venture premium channels Disney Cinemagic, Disney Junior and Disney XD with Sky Deutschland. However, it is not clear what will happen to Disney’s current joint venture with RTL Deutschland in family and kids channel Super RTL. The current contract with RTL runs out at the end of the year and might not be continued.
For a complete overview of Disney’s broadcast interests in Germany, you find a (German language) chart in our story KEK okays Disney’s takeover of Das Vierte.
