Radio Disney to Shut Down in 2021

radio disney

After 24 years on the air, Radio Disney will be shut down in early 2021, the company announced Thursday.

“Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country will cease operations in the first quarter of 2021,” Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Branded Television recently announced. “Radio Disney in Latin America is a separate operation and is not impacted by the announcement today.”

“The difficult decision to close these two radio networks coincided with Disney’s recently announced structural changes that call for Disney Branded Television to sharpen its focus on increasing production of kids’ and family content for Disney+ and Disney Channels. Division leaders also took into account the fast evolving media environment that provides more personalized music choices than ever to a generation of young consumers, and the ongoing public health crisis that continues to affect in-person music events.”

Radio Disney officially launched in November 1996 in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and Birmingham, Ala. before going nationwide in 1998. The station became incredibly popular with young children for its heavily edited versions of Top 40 hits, removing profane language and suggestive content from its original cut.

Radio Disney was aimed at kids, who would pick music playlist by calling a toll-free phone request line. The station was key to amplifying a bevy of musical artists, including the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff, Aaron Carter and others.

The move comes amid significant restructuring at Disney, which has been reorganizing to place greater focus on its streaming platform and TV operations.