Radio Disney Is Ceasing Operation in Early 2021 After 25 Years

Radio Disney is coming to an end.

The long-running network, which launched in 1996, will be ceasing operations in the first quarter of 2021 alongside Radio Disney Country, Deadline reported Thursday (December 3).

Over the years, Radio Disney was a key factor in the success of young superstars like the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.

The shutdown will affect 36 full and part-time employees, according to the company.

“Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country will cease operations in the first quarter of 2021. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television, who today addressed the 36 full- and part-time employees who will be impacted by the closure early next year. Radio Disney in Latin America is a separate operation and is not impacted by the announcement today. 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,” Disney said in a statement.

The news also comes as thousands of Disney World employees were laid off amid the pandemic.