ABC Family 616591 224953723 2008-07-11T04:22:17Z Musimax 1996306 {{Infobox TV channel| name= ABC Family| logosize=200px| logofile=ABC Family.PNG| slogan=A New Kind of Family| launch=[[April 29]], [[1977]] as [[Christian Broadcasting Network|CBN]]| network=[[Disney-ABC Television Group]]| owner=[[The Walt Disney Company]]| headquarters= [[Burbank]], [[United States]]| former names= [[Christian Broadcasting Network|CBN]] (1977-1988), The Family Channel (1988-1998), Fox Family (1998-2001) | web=[http://www.abcfamily.com/ abcfamily.com] | terr avail=Not Available| sat serv 1=[[DirecTV]]| sat chan 1=Channel 311| sat serv 2=[[Dish Network]]| sat chan 2=Channel 180| cable serv 1=Available on most cable systems| cable chan 1=Check local listings| }} '''ABC Family''' is an [[United States|American]] [[cable television]] [[television network|network]] currently owned by [[Disney-ABC Television Group]], a division of [[The Walt Disney Company]]. ABC Family offers contemporary and inclusive programming, including series, movies, events, and enhanced [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] encore presentations. == History == === Beginning === {{see also|Television networks preceding ABC Family}} ABC Family launched on [[November 17]], [[2001]] after FOX Family was sold to ABC for [[United States dollar|$]]3.2 billion in July 2001. The sale to ABC included the [[Fox Kids|Fox Kids Network]] (a joint venture of Fox and [[Haim Saban]]) which provided the new ABC Family with hours of children's programming.<ref>[http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2001/july01/july23/1_mon/news1monday.html July 1, 2001] Disney buying Fox Family Channel</ref> The sale to ABC, owned by Disney, was considered one of the largest mistakes or problems occurring during the tenure of [[Michael Eisner]]. The failure was primarily due to the acquisition being done by the strategic planning department of Disney, without consulting anyone at ABC. The original plan was to use the channel to essentially show re-runs of ABC programming, but this plan was completely impossible since ABC had no syndication rights to the majority of their own programs. During this time, the network did air same-season repeats of ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'', ''[[Less Than Perfect]]'', ''[[Life with Bonnie]]'', and ''[[The Bachelor (TV series)|The Bachelor]]'', almost all of which were [[ABC Studios|Touchstone Television]] productions (''The Bachelor'' is distributed by [[Time Warner]]'s [[Telepictures]]). But in trying to change the focus of the channel, Disney also cancelled several Fox Family series, like ''[[State of Grace (television program)|State of Grace]]'', and cut back on the network's [[Television movies|TV movie]]s, which were among the few programs Fox Family was doing well with. The ratings tumbled further as the network became dependent on syndicated reruns and no original programs (save for original wrap-around segments around ''Bachelor'' repeats, and children's programming). <ref>Usatoday.com [http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2001-12-03-family-channel.htm December 3 2001] Disney refocusing Family channel</ref> The next major plan was to reposition the channel to market it to college students, young women, or to a more hip audience under the name '''XYZ''', a reverse reference to ABC. Disney soon found that the channel could never be renamed as such. The sale from CBN contained a stipulation from Robertson that the channel contain the word "Family" in the name forever, no matter who owns the network. To create XYZ, the Family Channel would have had to cease to exist - terminating all existing cable TV contracts - and XYZ would have to be created as a new network. Cable companies would not be obligated to put XYZ in the spot vacated by the Family Channel. ABC scrapped the idea after discovering this clause.<ref> Mickey News [http://www.mickeynews.com/news/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_6164Family June 16, 2004] This Family Was Really Messed Up </ref> The name was revisited at one point in 2003, serving as a program block entitled "The XYZ.", showing programs and movies aimed at the above groups. The network was also used as a buffer to burn off failed ABC series, such as ''[[All American Girl (2003 TV series)|All American Girl]]'', which featured [[Spice Girl]] [[Geri Halliwell]].<ref> Vh1 [http://www.vh1.com/movies/movie/233930/moviemain.jhtml] All American Girl TV series </ref> === Change === Following controversial remarks made by ''700 Club'' host [[Pat Robertson]] about [[Venezuelan]] president [[Hugo Chávez]], as well as other equally controversial comments regarding [[gay]]s, [[feminists]], [[Muslims]], [[abortion]], and many other social issues.<ref> ShowBizData [http://showbizdata.com/news/39384/ABC-FAMILY-CHANNEL-CONDEMNS-ROBERTSON-BUT-HAS-TO-KEEP-HIM August 24 2005] ABC Family Channel condems Robertson but has to keep him</ref> ABC Family moved to distance itself from the program (the showing of which is also required under Robertson's original sale stipulations); ABC Family changed the disclaimers before, during, and after the broadcasts from ''"The following/preceding program is brought to you by CBN"'' to ''"The following/preceding CBN telecast does not reflect the views of ABC Family."'' Since 2003, ABC Family has been producing more successful ABC Family Original Movies and series.<ref> Post-Gazette.com [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06193/705069-237.stm July 12, 2006] Tuned In: Original shows help ABC Family improve </ref> === Today === In August 2006, an all new slogan and visual style premiered on ABC Family: ''A New Kind of Family.'' As previously stated, the word "Family" is required under the terms of the lease from Robertson. On [[August 31]], [[2006]], ABC Family aired Jetix for the last time as a part of Disney's plan to convert all Jetix airings to Toon Disney. Jetix aired various programs since its debut on the network in 2002, which included ''[[Metabots]]'', ''[[Beyblade]]'', ''[[Digimon: Digital Monsters]]'', ''[[Daigunder]]'', ''[[Get Ed]]'', and many others. Of its long list of programs, the ''[[Power Rangers]]'' series was its most successful. {{Fact|date=May 2008}} Sitcom repeats currently air in Jetix's former timeslot from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. ET, with the morning airing of the ''700 Club''/''Living the Life'' block pushed back an hour further to 9 a.m. ET.<ref> xywe[http://xywe.com/tv/109-347-disney-announces-new-shows-kid-block-leaves-abc-family-read.shtml February 16, 2006] Disney announces new shows, kid block leaves ABC Family </ref> In October 2007, ABC Family completely revamped their website, giving it a more digital look as compared to its previous look. They also revamped the Broadband Player, putting more content on it including reruns of [[Three Moons Over Milford]], and episodes of [[7th Heaven]], [[Grounded for Life]], [[Kyle XY]], and [[Greek (TV series)|Greek]], as well as adding some [[Fox Kids]] programming they still own, such as "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes".<ref> ABCFamily.com[http://abcfamily.go.com/abcfamily/path/section_Home/page_Home March 4, 2008] New ABC Family website</ref> ABC Family has also recently been generating high levels of viewers with their weekend movie events. The "Harry Potter Weekend" Block generated some of the highest levels of viewers for the year so far weekend events. The popular show ''[[Kyle XY]]'' has given the channel the most viewers in the network's history.<ref>The Futon Critic [http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070424abcfamily04 April 24, 2007] ABC FAMILY ANNOUNCES 2007 SUMMER AND FALL SCHEDULE </ref> ABC Family is also becoming known for giving previews to upcoming movies, as it has done for ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', ''[[Hairspray (2007 film)|Hairspray]]'' and [[Stardust (film)|Stardust]].<ref> Theleakycauldron.org [http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/6/7/harry-potter-triple-feature-weekend-on-abc-family-includes-ootp-sneak-peeks July 7, 2007] Harry Potter Triple-Feature Weekend on ABC Family Includes OotP Sneak Peeks </ref> In early 2008, the network launched a companion [[HDTV]] channel.<ref>Broadcasting & Cable [http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6424080.html?display=Breaking+News March 13, 2007] Disney To Launch HD Networks on DirecTV</ref> Currently the network's original series are produced in a [[16:9]] HD format (currently downgraded to [[letterbox]]ed [[4:3]] on the current channel), and episodes of ''Greek'' and ''Kyle XY'' have been broadcast in [[720p]] on ABC HD during summer Friday broadcasts. On June 16, 2008, ''[[The Middleman (TV series)|The Middleman]]'' premieres, based on the comic book of the same name from [[Viper Comics]]. == Programming == {{main|List of programs broadcast by ABC Family}} === ABC Family Original Movies === {{main|List of ABC Family Original Movies }} === Sports === The sale of FOX Family also included Fox's Major League Baseball cable rights. Starting with the [[2002 in baseball|2002]] season, Disney moved the regular season games previously on Fox Family and FX to their sister network [[ESPN]]. The Division Series playoff games, however, aired on ABC Family due to complications in the sale. These games used ESPN graphics and announcers. A deal was made to move those playoff games to ESPN, starting with the [[2003 in baseball|2003]] season. Although the games aired on Disney networks, Fox kept the exclusive negotiation to renew the contract after the [[2006 in baseball|2006]] season, although they chose not to renew those rights, which went to [[TBS (TV network)|TBS]]. {{see also|Major League Baseball on FOX|Major League Baseball on ESPN|Major League Baseball on TBS}} === Holiday Programming === ==== The 25 Days of Christmas ==== {{main|The 25 Days of Christmas}} Since its final year of ownership by Pat Robertson, The channel has been known for airing many Christmas specials, such as the [[Rankin-Bass]] programs ''[[The Little Drummer Boy]]'' and ''[[Santa Claus Is Coming to Town]]''. ABC has since expanded this holiday programming, adding made-for-television movies, a litany of Rankin-Bass shows sequels (this was complicated somewhat because some of the original series, including ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]'', were still owned by CBS), and other original programming to create "The 25 Days of Christmas." This program block airs from December 1 through 25, in prime time during the work week and from noon through prime time during the weekends. There have been some movies that aren't necessarily holiday related. In 2006, for example, [[Harry Potter]] movies were shown along with ''[[Mary Poppins (film)|Mary Poppins]]'' and ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (film)|Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]''. Also that year, the original Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman specials were dropped, and ''[[Dr. Seuss On the Loose]]'' and ''[[The Cat in the Hat]]'' were added, however, not with ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]''. The "25 Days" promotion also consists of a contest. <!-- Please expand the info on the contest. And the "25 Days" segment, possibly make it a subsection of this section. --> ==== The 13 Nights of Halloween ==== Thirteen nights of Halloween programming-including Halloween themed movies and paranormal television programming. ==== The Mothers' Day Weekend ==== The [[Mother's Day]] event on ABC Family. === The Big Kahuna Weekend === A former event for [[Fathers' Day]]. === Programming Blocks === ==== Jetix ==== {{main|Jetix}} Aired various children's programs since its debut on the network in [[2002]], which included ''[[Metabots]]'', ''[[Beyblade]]'', ''[[Digimon: Digital Monsters]]'', ''[[Daigunder]]'', ''[[Get Ed]]'', and many others. Of its long list of programs, the ''[[Power Rangers]]'' series was its most successful (and still is) {{Fact|date= July 2008}}. Sitcom repeats currently air in Jetix's former timeslot from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. ET, with the morning airing of the ''700 Club''/''Living the Life'' block pushed back an hour further to 9 a.m. ET. ==== The XYZ ==== A block formerly airing on the channel. ==References== {{reflist}} ==See also== * [[Family (TV channel)|Family]] (similar Canadian service) ==External links== *[http://www.abcfamily.com Official Site] *{{imdb company|0050794|ABC Family}} {{Disney}} [[Category:ABC Family| ]] [[Category:ABC television network]] [[Category:American television networks]] [[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2001]] [[Category:Cable HD channels]] [[es:ABC Family]] [[fr:ABC Family]] [[pl:ABC Family]] [[pt:ABC Family]]