Radio Disney Is Shutting Down and This Marks the End of an Era
The Walt Disney Company is shutting down the radio network, Radio Disney, after two decades. Here’s what you need to know.
The radio network responsible for launching the careers of some of the most notable pop stars today, including Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato, will end its run at the beginning of 2021. The end of the popular kid’s radio network comes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the major company has been losing money due to the closing of theme parks, therefore attempting to cut costs. Many people have voiced their sadness over the news on social media.
Disney announced today they are shutting down #RadioDisney. 🥺💔
— Briana Whitney (@BrianaWhitney) December 4, 2020
I was hired as a live show emcee for them at 16. I worked through my teen years & seasonally in my early 20s.
It was the best first job ever, and what started me in my broadcasting career. Forever thankful. pic.twitter.com/jc97S0BXJc
According to the Los Angeles Times, Disney gave a statement to the public about the unfortunate decision saying, “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.”
After its premiere in 1996, the Disney radio network boomed and became so successful that sister shows in the UK, Japan, and Latin America were created through SiriusXM. Although fans have been vocal about their sadness over the end of Radio Disney, the organization has not posted anything about the news on their social media accounts. In fact, they have been posting about upcoming shows just like normal.
We are deeply saddened to hear about the end of Radio Disney and will miss our favorite childhood classics on the radio. Although this marks the end of an era, we hope that the future holds good things in store.
