Star Channel (Brazil)

Star Channel

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Subscription television network
Predecessor	Fox Channel
Founded	September 1994 (1994-09)
Fate	Ceased operations on February 28, 2025
Headquarters	Brazil
Area served	Brazil
Owner	The Walt Disney Company Brazil
Parent	The Walt Disney Company Latin America

Star Channel—previously known as Fox and Fox Channel—was a Brazilian subscription television network owned by The Walt Disney Company Brazil, a division of The Walt Disney Company Latin America. Its programming primarily catered to family audiences, distinguishing itself from its sibling channel FX, which targeted a young male demographic.

History

Fox made its debut on Brazil’s TVA platform in September 1994, following its initial launch in Spanish-speaking regions a year earlier. On May 4, 1998, the channel established its own separate feed distinct from the broader Latin American version. Beginning March 1, 1999, Fox Brazil took control of its advertising sales operations, which had previously been managed by Globosat. In July 2000, it secured content distribution agreements with DreamWorks International Television, encompassing television series and a collection of 40 films. During the 2002 electoral period, Fox offered discounted advertising packages for political campaigns and aired the Brazilian adaptation of Temptation Island through a partnership with SBT. In 2003, it temporarily broadcast soccer matches due to delays associated with the launch of the Brazilian Fox Sports channel.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Fox Brazil structured its schedule around themed programming blocks such as Sci-Fox, devoted to action films; Fox Life, targeting female viewers; and Não Perturbe!, which featured adult animated series like Family Guy, King of the Hill, Futurama, and The Simpsons. Additional blocks focused on comedy, classic titles, and premieres. After FX was introduced in 2005, adult animation largely migrated there; however, flagship shows including The Simpsons continued airing on Fox during prime-time hours.

On July 5, 2007, Fox shifted to exclusively Portuguese-dubbed content in response to viewer preferences and subsequently incorporated dual audio options to serve a broader audience. The high-definition feed was launched independently on June 2, 2014, operating as a continuous simulcast separate from National Geographic’s HD channel.

In February 2017, Fox channels temporarily disappeared from Sky Brasil due to contractual disagreements but resumed broadcasting following contract renewal. By November 2018, the channel underwent rebranding as Fox Channel in line with an updated brand identity. Following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in March 2019, the network became part of Disney’s Brazilian portfolio; however, distribution rights were only transferred in May 2020 after regulatory approvals were finalized.

On November 27, 2020, Disney announced that all Fox-branded channels across Latin America would be renamed Star to eliminate confusion with Fox Corporation. While programming content remained consistent, the names of themed blocks were adjusted accordingly.

In September 2021, airtime for The Simpsons was reduced to weekly episodes and the Não Perturbe! segment was rebranded as Sessão Amarela. The series resumed daily broadcasts in January 2023 but departed from the channel in August 2023 after nearly thirty years to support growth of Disney+. Responding to viewer demand, it returned in August 2024 during late-night scheduling.

On December 2, 2024, The Walt Disney Company announced that Star Channel along with its sister networks (with the exception of ESPN) would cease operations in Brazil effective February 28, 2025. This action was motivated by rising operational expenses and declining pay television viewership amid ongoing challenges within Brazil’s pay TV sector.