Disney Channel was a children's pay television channel that operated in the UK and Ireland from 1 October 1995 to 1 October 2020 as the variant of the namesake American television channel. It was owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company Limited, the EMEA arm of the Walt Disney Company and served audiences under age 18 in the region. During its operation, Disney Channel was supported by a one-hour timeshift channel, Disney Channel +1, which was available on Sky and Virgin Media.

In 1989, Disney Channel UK was set to become the first Disney Channel outside the US with support from Sky Television, a former British satellite television company. The channel was to feature promotional material for Sky Television and the Astra satellite. However, a proposed joint venture between Disney and Sky Television was cancelled. Disputes over decision-making responsibilities led to Sky suing Disney for £1.5 billion in damages. Disney argued that it sought more influence over decisions and was unwilling to fund its share of the venture.

The lawsuit was eventually settled, and Disney sold its stake in the joint venture to Sky. As a result, Sky gained access to the Walt Disney Pictures movie library for five years.

In December 1994, following the expiration of its agreement with Sky, The Walt Disney Company announced plans to independently launch The Disney Channel in the United Kingdom. The channel, which was set to debut in fall 1995, would be available as a subscription service through a deal with British Sky Broadcasting. Subscribers to Sky's movie package could receive The Disney Channel for free, while it was also offered as a standalone package.

In January 1994, Disney announced a joint venture with CLT Multi Media to launch Super RTL in Germany, which successfully launched in April 1995.

On 25 August 1995, it was confirmed that The Disney Channel would launch in the UK and Ireland on 1 October 1995. The channel, broadcasting daily from 6 am to 10 pm on channel 26 and sharing with Sky Movies Gold on the Astra 1B satellite service, was subscription-only and free of advertising. Its programming was designed for all family members and included dramas, comedies, cartoons, documentaries, and films from Disney's archives, including the UK television premiere of The Jungle Book. Mellors Reay & Partners handled the channel's launch advertising, with media services managed by BBJ Media Services Ltd.

The Disney Channel's studios and broadcast facilities were initially located at Teddington Studios. In late 1996, they were relocated to Stephen Street, where Thames Television's original headquarters had been. Pearson plc provided playout and transmission services for the channel.

Within two weeks of its launch, Disney Channel UK began discussions with the Independent Television Commission (ITC) regarding the promotion of Disney products and services on the channel. 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. In July 1997, the ITC criticised Disney Channel's marketing practices, noting that it was offered for free to customers who subscribed to Sky's premium film channels. Disney Channel agreed to make adjustments, including increasing programme continuity and launching Disney Channel UK Live, a new live block.