Disney Junior, with an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, launched into some 30 million homes on Friday.
Disney Junior, which is aiming at kids 2 to 7, is being carried across the nation on systems owned by Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS and Cablevision.
Network officials indicate the service -- which emanates from the Playhouse Disney block that was rechristened Disney Junior last year and still airs on Disney Channel -- will expand its subscriber base as its deals with other distributors come up for negotiations and renewal.
In the meantime, Disney Jr. will premiere animated series Doc McStuffins and has lined up Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jake and the Neverland Pirates specials, a new season of A Poem is... and Sofia the First, a princess telefilm that will morph into a series.
The network has also acquired Guess How Much I Love You, based on the popular children's show and Gaspard and Lisa. Shorts entitled Quiet Is are also in the mix.
Disney first announced its network plans for Disney Junior, which includes limited PBS-style sponsorship, in May 2010, with the service occupying the channel space held by SoapNet.
Disney is continuing to operate that service, which remains in some 45 million homes.
