Disney's new general entertainment channel ABC1 is to launch on September 27th according to a report.

The channel will broadcast daily from 6am until 6pm and plans to eventually become a 24-hour station. No advertisement slots are to feature during the first few months of the schedule but will be added at a later date.

John Hardie, the Disney television executive who will oversee the launch, told Reuters: "In its first phase, ABC1 will champion an underserved British audience - people who are busy at home during the day".

ABC1 will initially only be available on Freeview though there are plans for Sky and cable carriage.