DirecTV to Add Disney Junior Channel After Losing SpongeBob

Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

DirecTV’s 20 million customers, following the loss of Nickelodeon kids’ programming because of the satellite-TV provider’s dispute with Viacom Inc., will begin receiving the 24-hour Disney Junior channel tomorrow.

Disney Junior, created by Walt Disney Co. to target viewers ages 2 to 7, will be permanently added to DirecTV’s lineup as a basic channel, according to a statement today from the companies. Disney Junior began last year as a daytime programming block within the Disney Channel, before becoming its own 24-hour station this year.