Disney Time
Holiday television series featuring Disney film clips with celebrity hosts.
From 1961 to 1997, *Disney Time* aired in the UK, initially on the BBC and later on ITV. The programme was a regular holiday filler, featuring clips from Disney films introduced by a celebrity host. Over the years, these hosts included Paul McCartney, Noel Edmonds, Sarah Greene, Tom Baker, The Goodies, and Phillip Schofield.
The following list covers broadcasts on BBC1. Before 1971, Christmas editions always aired on Christmas Day itself.
**1960s**
**1961** On Christmas Day, Walt Disney introduced *The World of Walt Disney* via filmed link, a compilation of excerpts from *Pinocchio*, *Bambi*, *Song of the South*, *Melody Time*, *Bear Country*, *The Vanishing Prairie*, *Perri*, *Nikki, Wild Dog of the North*, and *In Search of the Castaways*.
**1962** On Christmas Day, Hayley Mills introduced *Hayley Mills in Disneyland*, featuring scenes from *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*, *Fantasia*, *Dumbo*, *Alice in Wonderland*, *Peter Pan*, *The Legend of Lobo*, *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea*, *The African Lion*, and *In Search of the Castaways* (both of which starred Mills).
**1963** Walt Disney and David Tomlinson introduced Christmas Day scenes from *Alice in Wonderland*, *Peter Pan*, *Treasure Island*, *The Story of Robin Hood*, *The Reluctant Dragon*, *The Wind in the Willows*, *Swiss Family Robinson*, *In Search of the Castaways*, *101 Dalmatians*, *Mary Poppins*, *Dr Syn, Alias the Scarecrow*, *The Three Lives of Thomasina*, and *The Sword in the Stone*.
**1964** Julie Andrews hosted the Christmas Day show with excerpts from *Pluto's Christmas Tree*, *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*, *The Living Desert*, *Emil and the Detectives*, *The Vanishing Prairie*, *Peter Pan*, *The Monkey's Uncle*, *The Three Caballeros*, *Bon Voyage!*, *The Legend of Lobo*, *Pinocchio*, *Those Calloways*, *Lady and the Tramp*, and *Mary Poppins*.
**1965** On 29 August, Susan Hampshire and Matthew Garber hosted the August Bank Holiday show with excerpts from *The Three Lives of Thomasina* (starring Hampshire), *Lady and the Tramp*, *The Incredible Journey*, *That Darn Cat!*, *Song of the South*, *The Sword in the Stone*, *Swiss Family Robinson*, *The Monk
- start_year
- 1961
- end_year
- 1997
- network
- BBC (also ITV at one point)
- country
- United Kingdom
- format
- Holiday schedule filler with Disney film clips
Lore & Background
Disney Time ran from 1961 to 1997 on BBC, with a special on ITV in 1998, offering a regular holiday schedule filler. Each episode compiled excerpts from Disney films, introduced by a rotating roster of celebrity hosts. The series was particularly associated with Christmas, Easter, Whitsun, and August Bank Holiday broadcasts on BBC1.
Reader's Guide
Disney Time was a long-running British television series that provided family entertainment during holiday periods by showcasing clips from Disney's animated and live-action films. Its significance lies in its role as a consistent holiday tradition for viewers, bridging generations through familiar Disney content. The series featured a wide array of celebrity hosts, including Paul and Linda McCartney, Noel Edmonds, Sarah Greene, Tom Baker, The Goodies, and Phillip Schofield, which added variety and appeal. The show's legacy is as a nostalgic fixture of British holiday television programming, reflecting the enduring popularity of Disney films in the UK.
Did You Know?
- Disney Time ran from 1961 to 1997 on the BBC, with an ITV special in 1998.
- Celebrity hosts included Paul McCartney, Noel Edmonds, Sarah Greene, Tom Baker, The Goodies, and Phillip Schofield.
- Prior to 1971, Christmas editions were always shown on Christmas Day itself.
- The series was a regular holiday schedule filler, not a weekly series.
- The first broadcast was 'The World of Walt Disney' on Christmas Day 1961, introduced by Walt Disney via filmed link.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Disney Time?
Disney Time was a British holiday television programme that ran from 1961 to 1998, presenting curated clips from Disney feature films for a family audience. It functioned as a schedule filler during school holidays and the Christmas period.
Who hosted Disney Time over the years?
The show cycled through a range of celebrity presenters, including Paul and Linda McCartney, Noel Edmonds, Sarah Greene, Tom Baker, The Goodies, and Phillip Schofield. David Jacobs fronted the very first edition in 1961.
When did Disney Time first air and when did it end?
The series debuted on 25 December 1961 on BBC1 and continued in various holiday slots until its final broadcast in 1998. Before 1971, the Christmas edition was always transmitted on Christmas Day itself.
What was the format of Disney Time?
Each edition consisted of a selection of excerpts from Disney animated and live-action films, introduced and linked together by a guest celebrity host. It was designed as a light, family-friendly filler for the holiday broadcast schedule.
Which UK networks broadcast Disney Time?
The programme originally aired on the BBC, specifically BBC1, before later moving to ITV. It maintained its identity as a holiday filler throughout its run across both networks.
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