Disputes over decision-making responsibilities led to Sky suing Disney for £1.5 billion in damages.

As a result, Sky gained access to the Walt Disney Pictures movie library for five years.

The channel, which was set to debut in the autumn of 1995, would be available as a subscription service through a deal with British Sky Broadcasting.

Mellors Reay & Partners handled the channel’s launch advertising, with media services managed by BBJ Media Services Ltd.[7] The Disney Channel's studios and broadcast facilities were initially located at Teddington Studios.

Although the channel did not carry traditional advertising, the ITC proposed clear breaks for self-promotion, marked by the on-screen Disney Consumer Arcade motif.

[13] On 15 February 1999, Disney Channel introduced a nightly movie slot at 7 pm, which saw a 300% increase in viewership after a promotional campaign featuring a lounge set with Disney-themed decor.

[14] The channel’s schedule was restructured on 1 September 1999, introducing a Playhouse Disney-branded preschool block and various programming changes.

[21] In January 2009, Disney Channel UK launched an in-house sales team for commercial deals while remaining advertising-free.

[22] The channel began broadcasting in widescreen format in May 2010 and adopted a new logo in September 2011, with an HD version launching on Sky and UPC Ireland.

[27][28] Disney Channel left Now TV in 2016,[29] and Nat Geo Wild replaced it on the original slot.

[30] Disney+ replaced internet service DisneyLife in March 2020, no longer including linear TV channels.

The channel’s programming primarily consisted of syndicated shows from its American counterpart, but it also featured UK and Irish series such as The Lodge, Stick With Me, Kid, and Sadie Sparks.

[43][44][45][46][47] Disney Channel UK also aired a variety of local programming, including Life Bites (a localized version of Life Bites – Pillole di vita),[48] As the Bell Rings (a localized version of Quelli dell'intervallo), Hannah-Oke (a karaoke series featuring songs from Hannah Montana), Get the Look, First Class Chefs, Access All Areas, and Royal Ranch.