Taiwan’s broadcast regulator the National Communications Commission (NCC) is easing up on local cable companies struggling to fill the gap left by Disney’s shuttered linear business in the country. 

Disney pulled the last of its 11 basic cable channels out of Taiwan on December 31, 2023, and the NCC previously tasked TV operators with replacing Disney/National Geographic channels (three of which carried kids programming) with others featuring similar production, broadcasting resources, talent and funds. 

Disney removed its linear channels to make way for Disney+ in the country. But the move left big shoes to fill for the cable operators, and the NCC tried various efforts to get them to meet its mandate, including extending the deadline to June 30. 

Nevertheless, it’s been a bit of a saga for the cable operators this year. In addition to the DIsney and National Geographic channels (family programming), cable operators were also developing replacement channels for Phoenix Chinese (general entertainment), Phoenix Movies, Star Movies Gold (both had kids movies and Hollywood blockbusters) and Star World (general entertainment). They have been testing channels in these slots, but needed approval before officially adding them to their programming lineups. 

Two of the most common replacement channels are South Korea’s KMTV Asia, which carries music and entertainment, and Taiwan’s Catchplay, featuring Hollywood blockbusters including kids and family titles such as Kung Fu Panda 4. 

The companies had to report on customer satisfaction with the replacement channels because the NCC wanted to make sure consumers weren’t losing too much value with the changes. Some channels had about 60% satisfaction, while others were as high as 90%, according to The Taipei Times. 

Now, the NCC is conceding the challenge of filling the gaps and giving the 62 cable operators the greenlight on their package changes. The NCC will continue to measure viewership and customer satisfaction on the replacement channels to see if any other changes are needed. 

With Disney no longer in the country’s linear market, there’s plenty of opportunity for competitors and local players to grow. Taiwan’s biggest children’s channels now include Cartoon Network and local channels YoYo TV and Momo Kids. Traditional TV and home video currently form Taiwan’s biggest TV market (expected to be worth about US$2.5 billion in 2024), but OTT is starting to gain traction, according to Statista.