Disney Channel on DISH

Disney is on channel 172 on DISH Network. Find family-friendly shows on Disney, Disney XD and Disney Junior. Get the latest DISH promotion.

From movie classics to tween comedies, the Disney Channel provides wholesome entertainment for all age groups in your family. But before you pick up the remote control, find out everything you need to know about the Disney channels on DISH.

What channel is Disney Channel on DISH Network?

When you're looking for something to entertain the kids (or even indulge in your own childhood nostalgia), flip to Disney channel 172 on the DISH Network. Here you'll find popular shows like Girl Meets World, Wizards of Waverly Place, Liv and Maddie, Phineas and Ferb, and Dog with a Blog.

For pre-teens and younger teens, Disney XD is available on channel 174. Fan favorite shows include Pickle and Peanut, Future Worm, and Gravity Falls (whose 2016 series finale set the all-time record for the most-watched show on the channel).

For younger kids between ages 2 and 7, try Disney Junior on channel 168. Current hits include the ever popular Doc McStuffins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Sofia the First, and The Octonauts.

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Who Should Watch Disney Channel?

Anyone can find something to love on the Disney Channel. But if you're looking to maximize your subscription, check to see if you have the ideal viewer in your home.

• Families who want relatable content. Most Disney Channel shows revolve around families and school, which can provide some insightful talking points within your own family. Even when there's a dash of paranormal elements thrown in, the main themes revolve around everyday issues kids and teens deal with. When you watch the shows together as a family, parents can easily ask their own kids follow-up questions to learn more about how they view family, school, and other issues.

• Parents who enjoy a bit of nostalgia. Rebooted shows from the 90s are becoming increasingly popular on the Disney Channel, so it's fun for parents to see new life breathed into television characters from their own childhoods. Girl Meets World, for example, is a continuation of Boy Meets World, following Riley, the teen daughter of Corey and Topanga. Though set in New York City, the show regularly features cameos from the original cast, including Corey's best friend Shawn Hunter, dad Alan, brother Eric, and even the stern teacher Mr. Feeny.

• Siblings of different age ranges. While most of the Disney Channel shows star teenagers, a large number of viewers are actually younger kids. They love the simple drama of the older kids along with the bright sets and colorful outfits. Even plot lines geared towards teenagers are appropriate enough to suit multiple age groups in a single family.

6 Reasons Why You Want Disney Channel

• It's full of traditional sitcoms. Lots of television shows are becoming increasingly complex these days, with huge casts, mega budgets, and Hollywood-style sets. But most of Disney's live action shows harken back to more familiar territory, with just a few stationary sets and even a solid laugh track. They're fun and charming, which is exactly what family-friendly programming should be.

• You'll see celebrity cameos. Both Disney Channel shows and TV movies frequently feature famous adult actors, like Kristin Chenoweth, John Henson, and Hal Sparks.

• DuckTales is coming back. The popular animated series is being remade for Disney XD in 2017 with an all-star cast featuring David Tennant from Doctor Who, Bobby Moynihan and Beck Bennett from Saturday Night Live, and Danny Pudi from Community, among many others.

• Holidays are more fun. The Disney Channel celebrates holidays in full throughout the year, with festive episodes and original made-for-TV movies, plus regular seasonal Disney classics.

• Watch classic movie spin-offs. From a Frozen Lego movie to Toy Story side plots, the Disney Channel regularly shows fun spin-offs you won't find anywhere else.

• See movies not on Netflix. In addition to new programming, the Disney Channel also airs Disney favorites that typically aren't available on streaming sites like Netflix.

3 Reasons Why You Might Consider Something Else

• There's plenty of sass. Some parents complain that the Disney Channel's teen characters display a high degree of attitude and one-liners, before presumably learning their lessons at the end of each show.

• Minimal diversity. Another common complaint is that while there's a high degree of racial diversity, there's not much in the way of socio-economic diversity on the channel's original shows.

• Hijinks over values. While many of today's Disney Channel shows feature life lessons, some viewers think they are overshadowed by goofy side plots. Still, the content is typically age-appropriate, so the matter of quality is quite subjective, especially when compared to other options for kids.

What Dish Packages Has Disney Channel?

Ready to start watching the Disney Channel? Here are the packages to get:

• Disney Channel: This is available with any of DISH America's Top packages. At the lower tiers (Top 120 and Top 120+), there are other children's channels such as Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Kids & Teen Television.

• Disney Junior: This is only available with America's Top 200 and above. At this tier, other children-friendly channels include Nick Jr., Boomerang, Discovery Family, and Teen Nick.

• Disney XD: This is only available with America's Top 200 and above. At this tier, other children-friendly channels include Nick Jr., Boomerang, Discovery Family, and Teen Nick.

To learn more about the differences between packages and pricing, check out this article.

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Other Family-Friendly Channels You May Want to Watch

• Nickelodeon: Offering live action shows and cartoons, Nick primarily targets viewers between 9 and 16 years old, with weekday morning shows dedicated to 2- to 8-year-olds. This is available with all America's Top packages.

• Boomerang: This channel combines classic Time Warner shows like Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry with repeat series from Cartoon Network like Pokemon and Teen Titans Go! This is only available with Americas Top 200 and above.

• Discovery Family: Kids' cartoons like My Little Pony and Transformers combine with educational science and nature shows. This is only available with Americas Top 200 and above.

Bottom Line

The Disney Channel is a great addition to any family's television lineup. It's great that DISH offers it at the lowest tier (America's Top 120). If you want Disney Jr. or Disney XD, you may consider upgrading to America's Top 200. If picking your plan solely on kid-friendly channels, you only get one extra channel (Nick Toons) for the extra money that gets you the Top 250+ package.