History of Disney Channel in Timeline
Disney Channel is an American pay television channel owned by the Walt Disney Company. It is the flagship property of Disney Branded Television. It primarily airs children's and family programming, including original series and movies. The channel has played a significant role in launching the careers of many young actors and musicians and has been a major force in shaping children's entertainment since its launch.
1973: Elvis Presley's Record Broken
In 2006, The Cheetah Girls broke the record at the Houston Rodeo previously set by Elvis Presley in 1973.
April 18, 1983: The Disney Channel launch
On April 18, 1983, The Disney Channel was launched as a premium channel on cable television systems, showcasing family-oriented programming due to the prevalence of home television sets.
September 1983: Disney Channel Expands Across the U.S.
By September 1983, The Disney Channel became available on cable providers in all 50 U.S. states, expanding its reach after launching in April.
October 1983: Tiger Town Debut
In October 1983, The Disney Channel debuted its first made-for-cable movie, Tiger Town, which later earned the channel a CableACE Award.
1983: Premiere of Tiger Town
In 1983, Disney Channel Premiere Films launched with the release of Tiger Town.
1983: Vault Disney
In 2002, almost all Walt-era and pre-1990s material were removed from the channel with the removal of the late-night "Vault Disney" block, which used to make up the majority of the channel's programming since its inception in 1983.
January 1985: Disney Channel Achieves Profitability
By January 1985, The Disney Channel had reached profitability, with its programming reaching 1.75 million subscribers.
September 1990: TCI Carries Disney Channel as Basic Cable
In September 1990, TCI's Montgomery, Alabama, system became the first cable provider to carry The Disney Channel as a basic cable service, marking a shift from its initial premium status.
1991: Shift to Basic Cable Begins
Between 1991 and 1996, an increasing number of cable providers began shifting The Disney Channel from a premium add-on to their basic tiers, but Walt Disney Company executives denied immediate plans to convert it into an ad-supported basic service.
1996: Shift to Basic Cable Begins
Between 1991 and 1996, an increasing number of cable providers began shifting The Disney Channel from a premium add-on to their basic tiers, but Walt Disney Company executives denied immediate plans to convert it into an ad-supported basic service.
1996: Anne Sweeney Becomes President
In 1996, Anne Sweeney became president of the Disney Channel and led a marketing strategy geared mainly towards preteen and teenage girls, with a decrease in animated programming.
April 6, 1997: Playhouse Disney Launched
On April 6, 1997, Playhouse Disney was launched as part of Disney Channel's morning lineup, aimed at preschoolers.
April 6, 1997: Disney Channel Officially Rebrands
On April 6, 1997, The Disney Channel officially rebranded as Disney Channel, although occasionally marketed as "Disney" from 1997 to 2002.
October 1997: Disney Channel Premiere Films Renamed
In October 1997, Disney Channel stopped using the "Premiere Films" label and renamed it "Disney Channel Original Movies" (DCOM).
October 25, 1997: Under Wraps Premieres
On October 25, 1997, Under Wraps, a Halloween-themed movie, became the first movie released under the Disney Channel Original Movie category.
1997: Disney Channel Rebrands and Shifts Focus
In 1997, The Disney Channel dropped "The" from its name, rebranding as Disney Channel. The channel's programming shifted to target children and adolescents ages 6–14.
2001: Planned Playhouse Disney Channel
In 2001, Disney-ABC Television Group planned to launch a Playhouse Disney-branded channel in the United States, but it never happened despite launching internationally.
September 2002: Disney Channel Rebranding
In September 2002, Disney Channel underwent a major rebranding, incorporating the iconic 'mouse ears' logo in bumpers and introducing a memorable four-note mnemonic jingle composed by Alex Lasarenko.
2002: Disney Channel Marketed as "Disney"
From 1997 to 2002, the Disney Channel was occasionally marketed as "Disney", until April 6, 1997, the channel officially rebranded as Disney Channel.
2002: Vault Disney Removed
In 2002, almost all Walt-era and pre-1990s material were removed from the channel with the removal of the late-night "Vault Disney" block, which used to make up the majority of the channel's programming since its inception in 1983.
2003: The Cheetah Girls Film Debuts
In 2003, The Cheetah Girls debut film premiered to over 84 million global viewers, becoming the first Disney Channel original musical television film.
2006: The Cheetah Girls Concert Tour Success
In 2006, The Cheetah Girls' 86-date concert tour was ranked as one of the top 10 concert tours of the year. The tour broke the record at the Houston Rodeo previously set by Elvis Presley in 1973, selling out with 73,500 tickets in three minutes.
August 17, 2007: High School Musical 2 Premieres
On August 17, 2007, High School Musical 2 debuted to 17.2 million viewers, setting a record for the highest-rated television premiere in the history of Disney Channel and setting a basic cable record for the single most-watched television program.
December 3, 2007: ESPN Surpasses High School Musical 2 Ratings
On December 3, 2007, ESPN surpassed the ratings of High School Musical 2 with the telecast of an NFL game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens on its Monday Night Football programme, drawing 17.5 million viewers.
2008: Multi-Platform Marketing Strategy
In 2008, Sweeney explained that Disney Channel, resulting from its multi-platform marketing strategy using television and music, would become "the major profit driver for the [Walt Disney] Company."
February 13, 2009: Disney XD Launches
On February 13, 2009, Disney XD was launched as the successor to Toon Disney, targeting young male audiences aged 6 to 14 but later including girls in its programming.
May 26, 2010: Disney Junior Expansion Announced
On May 26, 2010, Disney General Entertainment Content announced the expansion of Playhouse Disney into a 24/7 cable and satellite channel, to be named Disney Junior.
2010: 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
On July 1, 2012, Disney Channel began providing Descriptive Video Service audio in compliance with the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, offering audio descriptions for the blind and visually impaired.
February 14, 2011: Playhouse Disney Rebrands as Disney Junior
On February 14, 2011, the Playhouse Disney block on Disney Channel rebranded as Disney Junior, aligning with existing international channels.
2011: Disney Channel Peak Household Reach
In 2011, Disney Channel reached its peak with availability in 100 million households in the United States. As of November 2023, its availability has declined to approximately 70 million households.
March 23, 2012: Disney Junior Channel Debuts
On March 23, 2012, Disney Junior, a 24/7 cable and satellite channel, debuted, expanding from its original morning block format.
June 2012: Disney Stops Junk Food Advertising
In June 2012, the Walt Disney Company announced that it would stop advertising or promoting food or beverage products that do not meet strict nutritional guidelines, with Disney Channel becoming the first media company to take such a stance on marketing junk food to kids.
July 1, 2012: Descriptive Video Service Provided
On July 1, 2012, Disney Channel began providing Descriptive Video Service audio in compliance with the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, offering audio descriptions for the blind and visually impaired.
December 31, 2013: Soapnet Ceases Operations
On December 31, 2013, Soapnet, a Disney-owned cable channel, ceased all operations after a period during which cable providers unwilling to drop the network immediately retained it to prevent subscriber cancellations.
2014: Anne Sweeney as President
Some critics disapprove of the Disney Channel marketing strategy led by Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney Channel from 1996 to 2014.
December 9, 2021: Disney Original Documentary Launched
On December 9, 2021, Disney Original Documentary launched as a banner for documentary-based programs broadcast on Disney Channel and released on Disney+.
March 2023: Disney Channel Broadcasts Live NHL Game
In March 2023, Disney Channel broadcast a live professional sporting event for the first time, featuring a youth-oriented alternate broadcast of a National Hockey League (NHL) game known as the Big City Greens Classic.
November 2023: Disney Channel Availability Declines
As of November 2023, Disney Channel is available in approximately 70 million pay television households in the United States, a decrease from its peak of 100 million households in 2011. Its international presence has also diminished due to the launch of Disney+ and competition from streaming media and social media platforms.
June 1, 2024: Disney Jr.
Since June 1, 2024, the channels are having their names shortened to "Disney Jr."
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