Disney to axe entertainment channel abc1

US media giant Disney is scrapping its UK general entertainment channel abc1. Launched in September 2004, abc1 broadcasts on Freeview between 6am and 6pm.
Walt Disney Television’s European chief, John Hardie, said the decision to close the channel next month was largely based on the inability to increase broadcast hours on Freeview.

“While abc1 successfully found a strong audience in day time through introduction of day long fiction, the inability to get access to a Freeview primetime spectrum together with our focus on the Disney brand led us to the conclusion that it was best to move on,” said Hardie. Disney’s abc1 also broadcasts on Virgin Media, Tiscali TV and Sky platforms.
It is not clear whether Disney will replace abc1 with another channel, or sell the valuable Freeview slot to another broadcaster.