The numbers are in, and they look great: based upon ratings, Disney Junior appears to be a resounding success.
The new block of programming, which debuted on the Disney Channel February 14, posted a big ratings boost over its predecessor, Playhouse Disney, from a year ago. In its first week on air, Disney Junior gave the Disney Channel its best ratings ever among children in general (474,000, up 34% from the same period in 2010,) as well as with boys age 2-5 (262,000, up 48%.) The block also posted its second-best weekly ratings among girls age 2-5, with viewers totally 212,000, a gain of 20% over last year.
The clear winner among the block’s programming, however, appears to be “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” which has become the channel’s most successful preschool program ever launched. The show, based in part on characters from “Peter Pan,” is number one among total viewers and children age 2-5, and its first episode was the most watched series debut ever among boys age 2-5 and their moms (women age 18-49.)
Catch the Disney Junior block of programming everyday on the Disney Channel from 4 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 4-9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
