Bluey, the popular Australian children’s cartoon about a family of anthropomorphic dogs, has been airing on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior since 2019. However, in late 2022, it was reported that Disney had removed a number of Bluey episodes from their programming schedule. This sudden change left many parents confused as to why these episodes were no longer being shown.
What episodes were removed?
Disney removed a total of 7 episodes from their Bluey lineup. The removed episodes were:
- Teasing
- The Dump
- Markets
- Fairies
- Circus
- Baby Race
- Rug Island
These episodes were all part of Bluey’s first and second seasons, which originally aired in Australia in 2018 and 2019. When Bluey launched on Disney platforms in 2019, the full first and second seasons were made available. The removal of these 7 episodes in late 2022 was the first time Disney had pulled any Bluey content from their offerings.
Why were these episodes removed?
Disney has not issued an official statement explaining their decision to remove the 7 Bluey episodes. However, there are a few possible reasons that experts and parents have speculated:
Cultural sensitivities
Some of the removed episodes touch on themes or contain elements that Disney may have deemed culturally insensitive for the US market. For example, the “Teasing” episode focuses on Bluey and Bingo teasing their friend Mackenzie for having a tooth missing. The “Circus” episode has the character Lucky’s Dad performing circus tricks in a way that could be seen as ableist. Disney may have wanted to be cautious regarding these types of themes for their young audience.
Encouraging risky behavior
Parts of some of the removed episodes could be seen as encouraging behavior that Disney deemed too risky or dangerous for kids to mimic. For instance, the “Dump” episode shows the kids playing in a dumpster, while “Baby Race” shows them racing baby carriages down a hill.
Not enough educational value
Disney has shared that Bluey episodes are chosen for their channels based on their educational and developmental benefits for preschoolers. It’s possible they decided these 7 episodes did not offer enough of this educational value to warrant keeping them in their lineup.
Timeslot constraints
It’s also plausible that Disney needed to cut some episodes simply due to time constraints or programming scheduling issues. By pulling 7 episodes, they free up timeslots for other shows or content.
How fans reacted
The removal of the episodes sparked strong reactions from many parents and Bluey fans. Some key reactions included:
- Frustration that Disney was censoring or cutting content without explanation
- Disappointment that some favorite episodes were no longer available
- Confusion over why certain episodes were targeted
- Anger that cultural sensitivities may have played a role
- Worry that Disney was sanitizing the show too much
Fans took to social media to express their opinions and complaints over the removal. Many asked Disney to reconsider or provide justification for the decision. Some also threatened to stop watching the show in protest.
How other networks reacted
Disney’s removal of the Bluey episodes only applied to their channels specifically. Other networks airing Bluey made different choices:
| Network | Reaction |
|---|---|
| BBC | Did not remove any episodes |
| CBC Kids | Did not remove any episodes |
| Cartoonito | Did not remove any episodes |
These networks opted to continue showing all episodes from Bluey’s first two seasons for their local markets. The removed episodes were only cut from Disney’s US programming.
Will the episodes return?
As of now, Disney has not indicated any plans to reinstate the removed Bluey episodes on their channels. However, given the strong negative reaction from fans, it’s possible Disney may reevaluate their decision in the future. They could choose to bring back some of the cut episodes, implement edits to sensitive content, or add disclaimers that give greater context. For now, the company appears set in its choice, but public pressure has the potential to change their mind.
How can fans still view the episodes?
While the removed episodes are no longer airing on Disney platforms, fans still have options to watch them through other means:
- Purchase full seasons of Bluey digitally from platforms like Amazon, iTunes or Google Play
- Stream episodes on the official Bluey website or ABC Kids site (for Australian viewers)
- Watch episodes that other networks air, either live or through their streaming platforms
- View episodes unofficially uploaded online via YouTube or other sites
So for devoted Bluey fans, there are still ways to enjoy the removed episodes – they just require a bit more effort than turning on the Disney Channel. Many are hoping the episodes eventually make their way back into Disney’s lineup officially.
Conclusion
Disney’s decision to cut 7 episodes from the Bluey schedule on their channels caused major disappointment and backlash from fans. While the exact reasons remain unclear, potential factors like cultural sensitivities, encouraging risky behavior, lack of educational value, or time constraints may have played a role. Despite no longer airing on Disney, the removed episodes can still be viewed through other means. Public pressure could lead Disney to reinstate some episodes, but the company currently seems committed to the cuts. For now, fans eagerly await any indication these “missing” episodes of Bluey might return to Disney platforms once again.