Disney Channel (Anglosaw)

1989-1995


Disney Channel was originally planned to launch in 1989 on the newly-launched Skytel satellite service. It was featured in much of the promotional material surrounding the launch of Skytel and the Astra satellite as a block channel. Its joint venture with Sky collapsed May 1989. The discussion about the venture had been taking place since November 1988. Disney was supposed to start up two channels, but when the talks broke down, Sky issued a lawsuit against Disney, claiming £1.5 billion in damages. The lawsuit was settled with Disney launching a new joint venture and a new 50-50 partnership with Anglosovic Satellite Broadcasting (one of Sky's main rivals). Disney Channel in Anglosaw was launched on ASB in September 1989. It was later added to Telewest's lineup in 1992 and Sky in September 1993.