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Do not fill this in! {{Short description|American television channel}} {{for|the U.S. terrestrial television network that uses Freeform's 1990–1998 name|The Family Channel (American TV network, founded 2008)|Family Channel (Canadian TV channel)}} {{Infobox television channel | name = Freeform | logo = Freeform 2022.svg | logo_size = 250px | logo_caption = Logo used since September 12, 2022 | launch_date = {{Start date and age|1977|4|29}} | owner = {{Plainlist| * [[Christian Broadcasting Network]] (1977–1990) * [[International Family Entertainment]] (1990–1997) * [[News Corporation]] (1997–2001) * [[The Walt Disney Company]] (2001–present) }} | parent = [[ABC Family Worldwide]] | picture_format = {{plainlist| * [[720p]] [[HDTV]]<br />(downscaled to [[letterbox (filming)|letterbox]]ed [[480i]] for the [[SDTV]] feed) }} | country = United States | language = [[English language|English]]<br />Spanish (via [[Second audio program|SAP]] audio track) | area = Nationwide | headquarters = [[Burbank, California]] | former_names = {{Plainlist| * CBN Satellite Service/CBN Satellite Network (1977–1981) * CBN Cable Network (1981–1988) * The CBN Family Channel (1988–1990) * The Family Channel (1990–1998) * Fox Family Channel (1998–2001) * ABC Family (2001–2016) }} | sister_channels = {{Collapsible list| * [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] * [[Disney Channel]] * [[Disney XD]] * [[Disney Junior]] * [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] * [[FXX]] * [[FX Movie Channel|FXM]] * [[National Geographic (American TV channel)|National Geographic]] * [[Nat Geo Wild]] }} | website = {{URL|freeform.com}} | online_serv_1 = Streaming services | online_chan_1 = [[YouTube TV]], [[Hulu + Live TV]], [[Sling TV]], [[FuboTV]], [[Vidgo]], [[DirecTV Stream]] }} '''Freeform''' is an American [[basic cable]] [[television channel|channel]] owned and operated by [[ABC Family Worldwide]], a sub-division of the [[Disney Entertainment]] business segment and division of the [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney Company]]. Freeform primarily broadcasts programming geared toward teenagers and young adults – with some skewing toward young women – in the 14–34 age range, a target demographic designated by the channel as "becomers". Its programming includes contemporary [[Broadcast syndication|off-network syndicated]] reruns and original series, feature films, and [[television film|made-for-TV original movies]]. Since the network was launched on April 29, 1977, it has undergone various changes to its programming format and naming under 4 different owners. The network was originally [[Television networks preceding Freeform|founded]] as a [[Religious broadcasting|religious]] channel, the '''CBN Satellite Service'''—an extension of televangelist [[Pat Robertson]]'s [[Christian Broadcasting Network]]. It evolved into a family-focused entertainment network in 1981. It was spun off into a for-profit company known as [[International Family Entertainment]] (IFE) in 1990, eventually becoming known as '''The Family Channel'''. As a condition of the spin-off, the channel was contractually required to maintain airings of ''[[The 700 Club]]'' and an annual [[telethon]] the last Sunday in January; these conditions have applied to all future owners of the channel. In 1997, IFE and the Family Channel were acquired by a joint venture between [[News Corporation]] and [[Haim Saban]]. This resulted in its rebranding as the '''Fox Family Channel''' a year later. The new owners wanted to reposition the network toward younger viewers as a companion for the unpopular [[Fox Kids|Fox Kids Network]]. The venture was sold to Disney in October 2001 after the network began to struggle as a result of their changes. The channel altered its name to '''ABC Family''' one month later on November 10.<ref name=FoxFamilySell>{{cite news|title=News Corp. and Haim Saban Reach Agreement to Sell Fox Family Worldwide to Disney for $5.3 Billion|url=http://www.saban.com/html/press/010723.html|website=Saban Entertainment|date=July 23, 2001|access-date=February 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202154922/http://saban.com/html/press/010723.html|archive-date=February 2, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SaleToDisney">{{cite news|title=Fox Family costs Mouse less cheese in final deal|url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/fox-family-costs-mouse-less-cheese-in-final-deal-1117854788/|author=Carl DiOrio|periodical=Variety|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=October 24, 2001|access-date=August 13, 2009|archive-date=September 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904020051/http://variety.com/2001/tv/news/fox-family-costs-mouse-less-cheese-in-final-deal-1117854788/|url-status=live}}</ref> The network was later rebranded as '''Freeform''' on January 12, 2016.<ref name="variety-freeformrebrand">{{cite news|title=ABC Family to Rebrand Network 'Freeform' in January|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-family-freeform-rebranding-network-1201610697/|author=Elizabeth Wagmeister|periodical=Variety|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|date=October 6, 2015|access-date=January 23, 2016|archive-date=January 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121115218/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-family-freeform-rebranding-network-1201610697/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tvnc-freeform">{{cite web|title=ABC Family Changing Name To Freeform|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/88982/abc-family-changing-name-to-freeform|author=David Bauder|agency=[[Associated Press]]|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=October 6, 2015|access-date=October 6, 2015|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161439/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/88982/abc-family-changing-name-to-freeform|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Deadline12102015>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/abc-family-name-change-freeform-pretty-little-liars-shadowhunters-1201664640/|title=ABC Family Name-Change To Coincide With 'Pretty Little Liars' & 'Shadowhunters' Premieres|last=Petski|first=Denise|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=December 10, 2015|access-date=October 6, 2019|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425075709/https://deadline.com/2015/12/abc-family-name-change-freeform-pretty-little-liars-shadowhunters-1201664640/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of September 2023, Freeform was available to more than 55 million households in the United States, according to [[Nielsen Holdings|Nielsen]] estimates.<ref name="thr-break-bundle" /> The network's president reports to the chairman of [[Disney Television Studios]] and [[ABC Entertainment]]. ==History== {{For|a detailed history of the channel under its current and past identities|History of Freeform}} ===Early history (1977–1998)=== {{more citations needed section|date=March 2017}} The channel traces its origins to the launch of the CBN Satellite Service (CBN Satellite Network), an arm of [[Pat Robertson]]'s [[Christian Broadcasting Network]] (CBN), on April 29, 1977. Focusing mainly on [[Religious broadcasting|religious programming]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.museum.tv/eotv/christianbro.htm|title=The Museum of Broadcast Communications - Encyclopedia of Television - Christian Broadcasting Network|website=www.museum.tv|access-date=2018-01-09|archive-date=2017-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720113316/http://www.museum.tv/eotv/christianbro.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> the channel was notable for being one of the first cable channels to distribute its signal nationally through [[communications satellite|satellite]] transmission (the third overall, as the method had been first pioneered by [[HBO]] in September 1975) as well as the first national basic cable-originated network ([[TBS (TV network)|TBS]] – which became the second cable channel in the U.S. to begin transmitting via satellite in December 1976 – originated as a feed of [[television station|broadcast television station]] WTCG (now [[WPCH-TV]]) in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]). The channel changed its name to the '''CBN Cable Network''' on September 1, 1981, and adopted a more secular programming format featuring a mix of family-oriented series and films while retaining some religious programs from various [[televangelism|televangelists]] (mirroring the format used by CBN's [[Independent station (North America)|independent television stations]] of that time). Around this time, the channel began airing a late night block of classic family oriented shows like ''[[You Bet Your Life]]'' with [[Groucho Marx]], ''[[I Married Joan]]'', and ''[[The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis]]''. This block of programming is said by some{{who|date=July 2023}} to have inspired the 1985 debut of the [[Nick at Nite]] classic TV block on [[Nickelodeon]]. By this point, its carriage grew to 10.9 million homes with a cable television subscription. On January 1, 1988, the word "Family" was incorporated into the channel's name to better reflect its programming format, [[rebranding]] as '''The CBN Family Channel'''. By 1990, the network had grown too profitable to remain under the Christian Broadcasting Network umbrella without endangering the ministry's [[non-profit]] status. On January 8 of that year, CBN spun out the network into a new, for-profit corporation known as [[ABC Family Worldwide|International Family Entertainment]] (IFE). Managed by Pat Robertson's eldest son Timothy, IFE was co-owned by the Robertsons, with a minority interest held by [[Liberty Media]] and [[Tele-Communications Inc.]] (TCI) owner [[John C. Malone]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sold Family Channel Keeps Lineup|url=http://articles.dailypress.com/1990-01-10/news/9001100076_1_family-channel-timothy-robertson-international-family-entertainment|author=Joseph Pryweller|newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]|publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]]|date=January 10, 1990|access-date=October 9, 2015|archive-date=November 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124152130/http://articles.dailypress.com/1990-01-10/news/9001100076_1_family-channel-timothy-robertson-international-family-entertainment|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Pat Robertson|url=http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/pat-robertson#|website=Archive of American Television|date=October 15, 2003|access-date=February 14, 2014|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012927/http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/pat-robertson|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the spin-off, the channel's name was officially shortened to The Family Channel on September 15, 1990. As a stipulation included as part of the spin-out from CBN to International Family Entertainment, The Family Channel was required to continue its daily airings of CBN's flagship program, ''[[The 700 Club]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Family Channel Strays from Religion, Embraces Clean Fun|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156256899.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105164105/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156256899.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|newspaper=[[Albany Times Union]]|publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]]|date=January 6, 1991|access-date=February 27, 2011}}</ref> During this time, from 1994 to 1997, The Family Channel sponsored [[NASCAR Sprint Cup Series|NASCAR Winston Cup Series]] driver [[Ted Musgrave]] in the #16 [[Ford Thunderbird]] for [[Roush Racing]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ted Musgrave Driver Information - 1994|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/musgrte01/1994/W|website=Racing-Reference.info|access-date=2014-04-09|archive-date=2015-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905160608/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/musgrte01/1994/W|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ted Musgrave Driver Information - 1995|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/musgrte01/1995/W|website=Racing-Reference.info|access-date=2014-04-09|archive-date=2015-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905160928/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/musgrte01/1995/W|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ted Musgrave Driver Information - 1996|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/musgrte01/1996/W|website=Racing-Reference.info|access-date=2014-04-09|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122658/http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/musgrte01/1996/W|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ted Musgrave Driver Information - 1997|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/musgrte01/1997/W|website=Racing-Reference.info|access-date=2014-04-09|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122709/http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/musgrte01/1997/W|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Fox Family (1998–2001)=== [[File:Freeform Fox Family Channel logo.svg|thumb|162x162px|Fox Family Channel logo, used from 1998 to 2000.]] In 1997, after International Family Entertainment put The Family Channel up for sale, [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] made an offer to acquire the channel. The company aimed to turn The Family Channel into a competitor to children's cable networks such as [[Cartoon Network]] and [[Nickelodeon]], leveraging the library of [[Fox Kids|Fox Kids Worldwide]] (which was a [[joint venture]] between [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] and [[Haim Saban]]). News Corporation negotiated to purchase a stake in the channel, with IFE as a partner.<ref name="lat-holychallenge">{{cite news|title=Fox Kids Faces Holy Challenge With IFE Deal|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-14/business/fi-3354_1_fox-kids|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 14, 1997|access-date=January 16, 2016|archive-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128074106/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-14/business/fi-3354_1_fox-kids|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Influencer|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/10/the-influencer|author=Connie Bruck|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|date=May 10, 2010|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919031157/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/10/the-influencer|url-status=live}}</ref> After competing bids were submitted by Nickelodeon parent [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]] and [[The Walt Disney Company]] (parent of fellow competitor [[Disney Channel]]) to acquire IFE as a whole, News Corporation placed its own bid to buy the company for $1.8 billion.<ref>{{cite news|title=News Corp., Disney Ready to Make Final Offers for IFE|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-02/business/fi-64929_1_news-corp|agency=Reuters|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 2, 1997|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128075448/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-02/business/fi-64929_1_news-corp|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 11, 1997, International Family Entertainment was acquired by the Fox/Saban consortium, renamed Fox Family Worldwide, for $1.9 billion.<ref>{{cite news|title=Special Report: Family Programming: New relations: Fox keeping mum about plans for The Family Channel|url=http://www.kidscreen.com/articles/magazine/19971201/20077.html?word=Haim&word=Saban|author=Virginia Robertson|periodical=Kidscreen|date=December 1, 1997|access-date=November 21, 2010|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207202822/https://kidscreen.com/1997/12/01/20077-19971201/?word=Saban|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="News Corp IFE 1997">{{cite web|title=News Corp. to buy IFE for $1.9 billion; Robertsons make a network deal parent of Family Channel to be bought for $1.9 billion|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68691100.html|author=Lon Wagner|newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|publisher=[[Landmark Media Enterprises|Landmark Communications]]|date=June 12, 1997|access-date=February 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105162738/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68691100.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref> The Family Channel was officially renamed Fox Family Channel on August 15, 1998.<ref name=FoxFamilyWorldwide>{{cite web|title=Fox Family Worldwide Inc|url=http://www.saban.com/html/invest/fox.html|website=[[Saban Entertainment]]|access-date=June 14, 2009|archive-date=April 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421065142/http://www.saban.com/html/invest/fox.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="700Club">{{cite news|title=Fox Family squeezes 'Club' in youthful sked|url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/fox-family-squeezes-club-in-youthful-sked-1117478323/|author=Richard Katz|periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Reed Business Information|Cahners Business Information]]|date=July 10, 1998|access-date=August 13, 2009|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207202820/https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/fox-family-squeezes-club-in-youthful-sked-1117478323/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Fox Family Channel2.svg|left|thumb|150px|Fox Family Channel logo from 2000 to 2001]] When Fox Family Worldwide bought the channel, the management team assigned to the network (headed by newly appointed president and [[chief executive officer]] [[Rich Cronin (executive)|Rich Cronin]]) sought to re-program it towards a new dual audience – kids in daytime, families at night.<ref name="usatoday-renovate"/> Notable programs aired during this era included ''[[Miami 7|S Club 7 in Miami]]''—a sitcom serving as a starring vehicle for the [[S Club 7|eponymous British pop group]], and ''[[Big Wolf on Campus]]''. ''[[The New York Times]]'' classified both series as being among a larger wave of television programming catered towards children aged 9 through 14—also referred to as [[tween]]s.<ref name="dn-sclub">{{cite web|title=Get ready for the S Club 7 invasion British pop group comes to America on Fox Family|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/726311/Get-ready-for-the-S-Club-7-invasion.html?pg=all|website=Deseret News|date = 5 November 1999|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-date=23 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623211846/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/726311/Get-ready-for-the-S-Club-7-invasion.html?pg=all|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt-awkward">{{cite news|title=TELEVISION/RADIO; Acknowledging That Early Age Of Awkwardness|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/23/arts/television-radio-acknowledging-that-early-age-of-awkwardness.html?pagewanted=all|website=New York Times|date = 23 April 2000|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630161841/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/23/arts/television-radio-acknowledging-that-early-age-of-awkwardness.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live|last1 = Adams|first1 = Thelma}}</ref> [[Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen]] were also a prominent fixture of Fox Family's schedule: ''[[The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley]]'' and reruns of their short-lived [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[Two of a Kind (U.S. TV series)|Two of a Kind]]'', received frequent airplay by the channel. Fox Family also planned to premiere a new original sitcom starring the twins, ''[[So Little Time]]'', in June 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/27/magazine/the-olsen-juggernaut.html|title=The Olsen Juggernaut|last=Udovitch|first=Mim|date=2001-05-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2018-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301104140/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/27/magazine/the-olsen-juggernaut.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Airings of ''The 700 Club'' were scaled back to three per day.<ref name="Robertson">{{cite news|title=On Television; TV Works in Mysterious Ways for Pat Robertson|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/30/business/on-television-tv-works-in-mysterious-ways-for-pat-robertson.html|author=Bill Carter|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 30, 2001|access-date=February 19, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907215100/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/30/business/on-television-tv-works-in-mysterious-ways-for-pat-robertson.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, this youth-oriented programming strategy alienated the network's core audience of older viewers;<ref name="usatoday-renovate"/> there was a 35% drop in prime time viewership, and Fox Family fell from 10th to 17th place in overall [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]] cable network viewership numbers.<ref name="usatoday-renovate"/><ref name="medialife-disneybuy"/> In October 1999, two spin-off cable networks, named [[Boyz/Girlz Channel|Boyz Channel and Girlz Channel]] launched on select cable operators. Both networks contained programming content targeted at the respective genders; both channels ceased operations after one year on the air in August 2000, due to a combination of very limited national carriage by cable providers (Boyz Channel and Girlz Channel were each carried in some 100,000 homes in an era when digital cable television was in its infancy) and the controversy that developed over the gender-segregated channels.<ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_11_15/ai_54176115 Find Articles]</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fox Family pulls Girlz, Boyz diginets|url=https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/fox-family-pulls-girlz-boyz-diginets-1117785136/|author=Paula Bernstein|periodical=Variety|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=August 15, 2000|access-date=August 13, 2009}}</ref> In the wake of Fox Family's struggles, Saban offered to acquire the stake in the network held by News Corporation (which had also begun negotiations to acquire television provider [[DirecTV]]), but was unable to agree to a proper valuation. A decision was made to sell the venture to a third-party.<ref name="medialife-disneybuy">{{cite news|title=Disney buying Fox Family Channel |url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2001/july01/july23/1_mon/news1monday.html |author=Jeff Bercovici |website=Media Life Magazine |date=July 23, 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184230/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2001/july01/july23/1_mon/news1monday.html |archive-date=2007-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1157652.stm|title=Murdoch's DirecTV purchase 'approved'|work=BBC News|date=February 9, 2001|access-date=December 28, 2016|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207202853/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1157652.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Sale to Disney and rebranding as ABC Family (2001–06) {{anchor|Sale to Disney and rebranding as ABC Family (2001–2006)}}=== [[File:ABC Family 2001.svg|thumb|170px|ABC Family logo used from November 10, 2001 to December 31, 2002.]] On July 23, 2001, it was announced that News Corporation and Saban had agreed to sell Fox Family Worldwide to [[The Walt Disney Company]] for $2.9 billion in cash, plus the assumption of $2.3 billion in debt. The sale gave Disney control of the Fox Family Channel, [[Saban Entertainment]], and the international Fox Kids cable networks controlled by Fox Family Worldwide, among other assets.<ref name="cnnfn-abcfw">{{cite web|title=Disney buys Fox Family|url=http://cnnfn.cnn.com/2001/07/23/deals/fox_disney/|website=[[CNN Money]]|publisher=[[Time Warner]]|date=July 23, 2001|access-date=August 11, 2012|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055101/http://cnnfn.cnn.com/2001/07/23/deals/fox_disney/|url-status=live}}</ref> Analysts felt that Disney's purchase of Fox Family was influenced by the ongoing consolidation occurring in the media industry, such as the then-recently completed [[Time Warner#AOL Time Warner merger|merger]] of [[AOL|America Online]] (AOL) and [[Time Warner]], and a desire to acquire a new pay-TV outlet that had significant carriage – at the time of the purchase, the network was seen in 83 million homes. On November 11, 2001, it was announced that the network would be renamed ABC Family in January 2002, co-branding it with the company's flagship television property, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (which Disney has owned since 1996). Disney planned to perform layoffs at the network in order to reduce redundancy.<ref name="FoxFamilySell" /><ref name="SaleToDisney" /><ref name="medialife-disneybuy" /><ref name="bandc-goodbyefox">{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/goodbye-fox-family-channel/90266|title=Goodbye, Fox Family Channel|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=12 November 2001|language=en|access-date=2018-02-28|archive-date=2018-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164357/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/goodbye-fox-family-channel/90266|url-status=live}}</ref> Disney planned to maintain the off-network ABC sitcoms Fox Family had acquired, and add reruns of ABC and [[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]]-distributed series such as ''[[According to Jim]]'', ''[[My Wife and Kids]]'' and ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]''. There were initially plans to create a version of ABC's [[TGIF (ABC)|TGIF]] block for the channel as well.<ref name="bandc-goodbyefox"/> Disney originally planned to use the channel to show [[rerun]]s of current ABC programming, although this strategy was hindered by the fact that ABC did not hold syndication rights to all of its programming at the time.<ref name="Wired">{{cite news|title=6 TV Networks That Aren't What They Started Out to Be|url=http://archive.wired.com/geekmom/2012/10/six-networks-that-changed/|author=Ruth Suehle|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|publisher=Condé Nast|date=October 10, 2012|access-date=June 3, 2015|archive-date=June 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603170225/http://archive.wired.com/geekmom/2012/10/six-networks-that-changed/|url-status=live}}</ref> The company developed a programming strategy to turn ABC Family into a "broad-appeal programming network with its own identity", picking up same-season encores of ABC series such as ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'', ''[[Less Than Perfect]],'' and ''[[Life with Bonnie]]''; adding a weeknight [[sitcom]] block; and continuing to emphasize movies – having already reached a 10-year agreement for the cable rights to ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]''. The network also announced plans to develop new original series, though several series that originated on the channel under the Fox Family identity were canceled (such as the 1960s-set period [[dramedy]] ''[[State of Grace (TV series)|State of Grace]]''), and the channel scaled back its [[Television movies|made-for-cable movie]] output.<ref name="usatoday-renovate">{{cite news|title=Disney refocusing Family channel|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2001-12-03-family-channel.htm|author=Gary Levin|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|date=December 3, 2001|access-date=2017-08-28|archive-date=2008-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206105636/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2001-12-03-family-channel.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:ABC Family logo.svg|170px|thumb|left|Second and final logo as ABC Family used from January 1, 2003 to January 11, 2016.]] The next major plan was to reposition the channel to market it toward college students, young women, or at a more hip audience under the name "XYZ," a reverse reference to ABC. Disney-ABC chose not to move forward with the "XYZ" rebranding, rumoredly due to a stipulation thought to have been put in place by Pat Robertson during the sale of the network to Fox, which rumoredly mandated that the word "Family" must be contained in the name of the channel for the entirety of its existence, regardless as to who owns it.<ref name="deadline-freeform"/><ref name="TVI-freeform"/> The network was also used as a buffer to [[burning off|burn off]] failed ABC series, such as the [[reality television|reality competition]] series ''All American Girl'', which featured former [[Spice Girls]] member [[Geri Halliwell]]. The network's strength was also increased through the production of original series and films.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tuned In: Original shows help ABC Family improve|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06193/705069-237.stm|author=Rob Owen|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|publisher=[[Block Communications]]|date=July 12, 2006|access-date=March 5, 2008|archive-date=August 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823124014/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06193/705069-237.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Disney continued to be subject to stipulations requiring CBN programming, including that ''[[The 700 Club]]'' be aired thrice daily on the network.<ref name="Robertson"/> On August 29, 2005, Disney began distancing itself further from Robertson following his [[Pat Robertson controversies#Comments about the assassination of Hugo Chávez|controversial remarks]] suggesting that Venezuelan president [[Hugo Chávez]] should be assassinated. An ABC Family spokesperson stated that it had no editorial control over ''The 700 Club'' and that the company "strongly rejects the views expressed by Pat Robertson." Following the incident, the disclaimers aired before CBN programs on ABC Family were also amended with a more explicit statement indicating that the views expressed during the programs did not reflect those of the channel.<ref name="nyt-robertsonvenez">{{cite web|title=Robertson Suggests U.S. Kill Venezuela's Leader|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/24/politics/robertson-suggests-us-kill-venezuelas-leader.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 24, 2005|access-date=January 22, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108214924/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/24/politics/robertson-suggests-us-kill-venezuelas-leader.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Following Robertson's call for Chavez's assassination, ABC Family added disclaimer to 700 Club|url=http://mediamatters.org/research/2005/08/29/following-robertsons-call-for-chavezs-assassina/133738|website=Media Matters for America|date=August 29, 2005|access-date=January 22, 2016|archive-date=January 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116041049/http://mediamatters.org/research/2005/08/29/following-robertsons-call-for-chavezs-assassina/133738|url-status=live}}</ref> ==="A New Kind of Family" (2006–2016)=== On August 7, 2006, ABC Family introduced a new slogan and imaging campaign, "A New Kind of Family". The rebranding coincided with a new original programming strategy, which targeted the teen and [[youth|young adult]] demographics with series incorporating diverse portrayals of family lives, as well as [[teen drama]]s.<ref name="tnr-longhistory">{{cite magazine|title=The Long, Strange History of ABC Family|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/123067/long-strange-history-abc-family|author=Jacqui Shine|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|date=October 8, 2015|access-date=January 23, 2016|archive-date=January 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126101302/https://newrepublic.com/article/123067/long-strange-history-abc-family|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dailybeast-uprising">{{cite web|title=ABC Family's 'Switched at Birth' ASL Episode Recalls Gallaudet Protest|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/28/abc-family-s-switched-at-birth-asl-episode-recalls-gallaudet-protest.html|periodical=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=February 28, 2013|access-date=December 12, 2013|archive-date=September 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903061306/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/28/abc-family-s-switched-at-birth-asl-episode-recalls-gallaudet-protest.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At this time, ABC Family discontinued [[Jetix]], an action-oriented morning children's block that debuted on the network in 2004, relegating the block exclusive to sister channel [[Toon Disney]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney announces new shows, kid block leaves ABC Family|url=http://xywe.com/tv/109-347-Disney-announces-new-shows-kid-block-leaves-abc-family-read.shtml|author=Anne Becker|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Reed Business Information|via=XYWE|date=February 16, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060327143901/http://xywe.com/tv/109-347-disney-announces-new-shows-kid-block-leaves-abc-family-read.shtml |archive-date=March 27, 2006}}</ref> New original series, such as the fantasy drama ''[[Kyle XY]]'', college-set dramedy ''[[Greek (TV series)|Greek]]'', and drama series ''[[The Secret Life of the American Teenager]]'', proved popular for the network; the premieres of ''Kyle XY'' and ''Secret Life'' set viewership records for the channel.<ref name="tnr-longhistory"/><ref name="deadline-paulleetakeover"/> In July 2009, the network earned its best-ever ratings for the month of July in primetime and in total viewership, credited to the strength of ''Secret Life'' and new series ''[[Make It or Break It]]'', ''[[10 Things I Hate About You (TV series)|10 Things I Hate About You]]'' and ''[[Ruby & the Rockits]]'', along with airings of the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' film franchise]] and the television premiere of ''[[Labor Pains (film)|Labor Pains]]''.<ref>{{cite press release|title=ABC Family Hits All-Time July Highs in Prime in Total Viewers and All Key Demos|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/28/abc-family-hits-all-time-july-highs-in-prime-in-total-viewers-and-all-key-demos/23772|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721002612/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/07/28/abc-family-hits-all-time-july-highs-in-prime-in-total-viewers-and-all-key-demos/23772|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 21, 2012|website=TV by the Numbers|date=July 28, 2009}}</ref> On June 8, 2010, ABC Family premiered ''[[Pretty Little Liars]]'' – a teen drama based on the series of young-adult mystery novels by [[Sara Shepard]]. ''Pretty Little Liars'' quickly became ABC Family's flagship program, frequently breaking ratings records;<ref name="tnr-longhistory"/><ref name="s1e11">{{cite web|title=Return of 2010's Breakout Hit Series "Pretty Little Liars" Becomes ABC Family's No. 2 Telecast Ever in Women 18-34/Females 12-34|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/04/return-of-2010%E2%80%99s-breakout-hit-series-%E2%80%9Cpretty-little-liars%E2%80%9D-becomes-abc-family%E2%80%99s-no-2-telecast-ever-in-women-18-34females-12-34/77238|author=Bill Gorman|website=TV by the Numbers|date=January 4, 2011|access-date=January 4, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721022158/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/04/return-of-2010%E2%80%99s-breakout-hit-series-%E2%80%9Cpretty-little-liars%E2%80%9D-becomes-abc-family%E2%80%99s-no-2-telecast-ever-in-women-18-34females-12-34/77238/|archive-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> by 2014, ''Pretty Little Liars'' had ranked among the five most-watched scripted series on basic cable among multiple female age demographics, and the second-highest rated cable series among females 12–34. Throughout the year, ABC Family as a whole experienced its highest year-to-year primetime viewership among viewers in the 12-34 and 18-34 demographics.<ref name="deadline-firstwin">{{cite web|title=ABC Family Nabs First-Ever Win In W18-34 Demo|url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/abc-family-ratings-win-w18-34-demo-1201341649/|website=Deadline.com|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=January 2015|access-date=January 24, 2016|archive-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128232234/http://deadline.com/2015/01/abc-family-ratings-win-w18-34-demo-1201341649/|url-status=live}}</ref> With 4.9 million viewers across its first broadcast and an encore airing, the 2011 premiere of ''[[Switched at Birth (TV series)|Switched at Birth]]'' surpassed ''Secret Life'' as the most-watched series premiere in network history.<ref name="deadline-sabratings">{{cite web|title='Switched At Birth' Sets Premiere Ratings Records For ABC Family|url=https://deadline.com/2011/06/switched-at-birth-sets-premiere-ratings-record-for-abc-family-138058/|website=Deadline.com|date=7 June 2011|access-date=28 May 2016|archive-date=29 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629125043/http://deadline.com/2011/06/switched-at-birth-sets-premiere-ratings-record-for-abc-family-138058/|url-status=live}}</ref> Owing to his success at ABC Family, The Walt Disney Company promoted network president [[Paul Lee (television executive)|Paul Lee]] to become president of the ABC Entertainment Group in July 2010, adding the main ABC network and [[ABC Studios]] to his oversight.<ref name="deadline-paulleetakeover">{{cite web|title=ABC Family's Paul Lee Taking Over ABC Entertainment Group After President Steve McPherson Resigns|url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/changes-imminent-at-abc-entertainment-57290/|website=Deadline.com|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=July 2010|access-date=January 24, 2016|archive-date=January 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102084036/http://deadline.com/2010/07/changes-imminent-at-abc-entertainment-57290/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lee resigned from the company in February 2016 and was replaced by [[Channing Dungey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/paul-lee-out-as-abc-entertainment-president/|title=Channing Dungey Replaces Paul Lee as Head of ABC Entertainment|author=Joe Otterson|date=17 February 2016|work=TheWrap|access-date=17 February 2016|archive-date=18 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218111305/https://www.thewrap.com/paul-lee-out-as-abc-entertainment-president/|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Freeform (2016–2018)=== [[Image:Freeform.svg|thumb|left|200px|Freeform's logo from January 12, 2016 to March 5, 2018.]] In a December 3, 2014, article, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that ABC Family executives were proposing a relaunch of the network that would occur as early as 2015, including the expansion of programming appealing more toward young adults between the ages of 14 and 34 as opposed to families or teenagers, as well as adopting new branding (including a new name), among the options being considered.<ref>{{cite web|title=Disney's ABC Family Cable Network Mulling Reboot|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/disneys-abc-family-cable-network-mulling-reboot-1201370137/|author=Brian Steinberg|periodical=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=December 3, 2014|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113074940/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/disneys-abc-family-cable-network-mulling-reboot-1201370137/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the channel's 2015–16 upfront presentation on April 14, 2015, ABC Family executives announced that it would establish a focus on "becomers," a group termed by network representatives to refer to what are normally identified as "millennials". ABC Family president [[Tom Ascheim]] explained in describing this demographic, "The most important question that young people ask themselves as they're going from [[high school]] to their thirties is, 'Who am I becoming?' So we call the life stage 'becoming' and the people going through it Becomers".<ref name="variety-freeformrebrand"/><ref>{{cite web|title=ABC Family Plots Big Scripted Music Push as Focus Shifts to "Becomers"|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/abc-family-plots-big-scripted-788503|author=Lesley Goldberg|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=April 14, 2015|access-date=October 6, 2015|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006221349/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/abc-family-plots-big-scripted-788503|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="variety-becomers">{{cite web|title=Upfronts: ABC Family Turns Up the Volume to Change Direction|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-family-pretty-little-liars-upfronts-1201472636/|periodical=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=April 14, 2015|access-date=January 23, 2016|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119230207/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-family-pretty-little-liars-upfronts-1201472636/|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 6, 2015, Disney–ABC Television Group announced that ABC Family would be rebranded as Freeform. Ascheim explained that "Freeform" was intended to represent how "becomers" are in the "formation" of their lives and that the brand would reflect a participatory experience for viewers across multiple platforms. An extensive campaign to promote the rebrand kicked off on the date of the announcement and encompassed the network's popular [[31 Nights of Halloween]] and [[25 Days of Christmas]] blocks during the fourth quarter of that year.<ref name="deadline-freeform"/><ref name="TVI-freeform"/> The new name – which was chosen among 3,000 proposals, with some initial consideration of retaining "ABC" in the name – was necessitated after an audience survey that sampled opinions of regular ABC Family viewers as well those who watched the channel on an infrequent basis, revealed that although regular viewers understood the network's youth-skewing concept, non-frequent viewers perceived the channel as still being more of a "wholesome" family-oriented network.<ref name="variety-freeformrebrand"/><ref name="thewrap-freeform"/> At the [[Television Critics Association]] Winter Press Tour on January 9, 2016, in addressing the reasoning behind the name (which had been derided by some viewers on [[social media]] and news websites reporting on the pending rebrand), ABC Family president Tom Ascheim noted that while it does not mind the "wholesome" perception, it does "not necessarily represent" the network.<ref name="thewrap-freeform"/> While it was rumored that the sale of the network from International Family Entertainment to Fox contained a stipulation that the channel must contain "Family" in its name in perpetuity, regardless of its owner (as supported by the failed proposal to relaunch the channel as "XYZ"), in initially announcing the channel's rebranding, Ascheim clarified that this was merely an [[urban legend]] as no such clause has been corroborated to have existed.<ref name="deadline-freeform"/><ref name="TVI-freeform"/> The rebranding as Freeform took effect on January 12, 2016, coinciding with the premiere of the second half of ''[[Pretty Little Liars (TV series)|Pretty Little Liars]]''{{'}} [[Pretty Little Liars (season 6)|sixth season]], and the series premiere of ''[[Shadowhunters]]'', a fantasy drama based on [[Cassandra Clare]]'s novel series ''[[The Mortal Instruments]]''.<ref name=Deadline12102015/> As Freeform, the channel planned to double the amount of original programming on its schedule through 2020. However, despite firmly focusing on its specified target audience, Freefor continued to carry much of the existing programming it aired beforehand under the ABC Family brand, including family-oriented series and films, and its annual ''25 Days of Christmas'' and ''31 Nights of Halloween'' events.<ref name="deadline-freeform">{{cite web|title=ABC Family To Be Renamed As Freeform|url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/abc-family-freeform-new-name-1201567915/|author=Nellie Andreeva|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=October 6, 2015|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123130107/https://deadline.com/2015/10/abc-family-freeform-new-name-1201567915/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TVI-freeform">{{cite web|title=Disney's ABC Family to Rename Itself "Freeform" This January|url=http://www.tvinsider.com/article/45148/abc-family-to-rename-itself-freeform-this-january/|author=Michael Schneider|website=TVInsider.com|publisher=TV Insider LLC|date=October 6, 2015|access-date=October 6, 2015|archive-date=October 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031072722/http://www.tvinsider.com/article/45148/abc-family-to-rename-itself-freeform-this-january/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="thewrap-freeform">{{cite news|title=Inside ABC Family's Dramatic Name-Change Decision|url=https://www.thewrap.com/inside-abc-family-freeform-name-change-decision/#sthash.X0JZhL8o.dpuf|author=Daniel Holloway|website=[[The Wrap]]|date=October 6, 2015|access-date=October 6, 2015|archive-date=October 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020072213/http://www.thewrap.com/inside-abc-family-freeform-name-change-decision/#sthash.X0JZhL8o.dpuf|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the [[Social conservatism|socially conservative]] views expressed during the programs conflict with the [[Cultural liberalism|culturally progressive]]/adult content of some of the channel's secular programming, Freeform also retained ''The 700 Club'' and ''The 700 Club Interactive'' (along with CBN's day-long telethon on the last Sunday in January), as network executives were not able to reach an agreement with Pat Robertson to [[Buyout|buy out]] CBN's time-buy contract with the channel (Disney–ABC offered to pay $42 million – roughly the same amount that the ministry earned in revenue during 2015 from syndication fees for ''The 700 Club'' and various related productions – to terminate the agreement with the Christian Broadcasting Network, though Robertson stipulated a higher payout that Ascheim deemed "astronomical" in comparison to its actual value).<ref name="tnr-longhistory"/><ref>{{cite web|title=ABC Family Will Keep 'The 700 Club' When it Becomes Freeform|url=https://www.thewrap.com/abc-family-will-keep-the-700-club-when-it-becomes-freeform/|author=Daniel Holloway|website=The Wrap|date=January 9, 2016|access-date=March 4, 2016|archive-date=January 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110152515/http://www.thewrap.com/abc-family-will-keep-the-700-club-when-it-becomes-freeform/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=As ABC Family Becomes Freeform, Here's Why It's Still Stuck with 'The 700 Club'|url=http://www.tvinsider.com/article/62330/as-abc-family-becomes-freeform-heres-why-its-still-stuck-with-the-700-club/|website=TV Insider|publisher=NTVB Media|date=January 4, 2016|access-date=March 4, 2016|archive-date=February 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225180747/http://www.tvinsider.com/article/62330/as-abc-family-becomes-freeform-heres-why-its-still-stuck-with-the-700-club/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ABC Family, No Matter What It Calls Itself, Can't Get Rid of Pat Robertson's The 700 Club|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/01/pat-robertsons-700-club-will-be-on-forever.html|author=E. Alex Jung|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|date=January 4, 2016|access-date=March 4, 2016|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308173236/http://www.vulture.com/2016/01/pat-robertsons-700-club-will-be-on-forever.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The network airs disclaimers before and after the show airs, mentioning that the network did not produce the programming, and are often delivered in a sardonic tone similar to the bumpers on [[Adult Swim]]. The disclaimers range from apologizing for carrying the program, suggesting viewers change the channel, and referencing the network's contractual obligation to carry the program. On April 7, 2016, Freeform ordered a series from [[ABC Studios#ABC Signature|ABC Signature]] and [[Marvel Television]] based on the comic book series ''[[Cloak and Dagger (comics)|Cloak and Dagger]]'', marking the first work in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] to have been developed for the network.<ref name="variety-cdfreeform">{{cite web|title=Freeform Greenlights Marvel Romance Superhero Series 'Cloak and Dagger' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/marvel-cloak-and-dagger-freeform-series-1201747907/|periodical=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=April 7, 2016|access-date=April 7, 2016|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407213750/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/marvel-cloak-and-dagger-freeform-series-1201747907/|url-status=live}}</ref> Marvel Television had a Cloak and Dagger and Mockingbird-based series in development for the network as early as 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/comic-con-marvel-tv-aka-jessica-jones-hulk-cloak-and-dagger/ |title=Comic-Con: Marvel TV Announces Development Slate; Includes Live-Action AKA Jessica Jonfes (Alias), The Hulk, Cloak and Dagger, Mockingbird, Animated Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H, More |last=Daniels |first=Hunter |publisher=Collider |date=July 23, 2011 |access-date=August 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121150011/http://collider.com/comic-con-marvel-tv-aka-jessica-jones-hulk-cloak-and-dagger/ |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Freeform also announced several new non-scripted productions in development, including ''Later Bitches'', a new [[late-night talk show]] produced by ''[[The Daily Show]]'' alumni Jennifer Flanz and Elise Terrel, an untitled late-night talk show starring [[Iliza Shlesinger]], and ''Snapshots''—a series of pop culture-oriented documentaries co-produced by [[ESPN Films]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wagmeister|first1=Elizabeth|title=Freeform Developing Late-Night Show With Comedian Iliza Shlesinger (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/iliza-shlesinger-late-night-show-freeform-netflix-stand-up-1201868483/|access-date=April 25, 2017|work=Variety|date=September 23, 2016|archive-date=April 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060933/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/iliza-shlesinger-late-night-show-freeform-netflix-stand-up-1201868483/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shlesinger's new show, ''[[Truth & Iliza]]'', premiered on May 2, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/04/iliza-shlesinger-hosted-show-gets-title-airdate-as-freeform-goes-late-night-1202061339/|title=Iliza Shlesinger-Hosted Show Gets Title & Airdate As Freeform Goes Late-Night|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=2017-04-04|work=Deadline|access-date=2017-05-16|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519132640/http://deadline.com/2017/04/iliza-shlesinger-hosted-show-gets-title-airdate-as-freeform-goes-late-night-1202061339/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2017, the channel indicated that it would go to four nights of original programming starting in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maglio |first1=Tony |title=Freeform to Add 4th Night of Original Shows in 2018 |url=https://www.thewrap.com/freeform-grown-ish-alone-together-2018/ |access-date=November 4, 2019 |work=TheWrap |date=October 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104215602/https://www.thewrap.com/freeform-grown-ish-alone-together-2018/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==== "A Little Forward" ==== [[Image:Freeform 2018.svg|thumb|200px|Freeform's logo from March 6, 2018 to September 11, 2022.]] On January 18, 2018, Freeform unveiled a new logo and slogan, "A Little Forward", which officially debuted on March 6, 2018. The new slogan reflects refinements to the network's programming direction, with a larger focus on "forward-looking" series (such as ''[[The Bold Type]]'' and the ''[[Black-ish]]'' spin-off ''[[Grown-ish]]''). President Tom Ascheim explained that with the rebranding, Freeform was "purposefully and passionately moving our brand forward by defying expectations and dismantling conventions; busting stereotypes of theme, cast and culture in service to a more inclusive world on and off screen." The network also unveiled upcoming series in development, such as [[Scott Stewart (director)|Scott Stewart]]'s ''Augs'', as well as a new trailer and June 7, 2018 premiere date for ''[[Cloak & Dagger (TV series)|Marvel's Cloak and Dagger]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/freeform-goes-bold-forward-looking-branding-1075784|title=Freeform Goes 'Bold' With "Forward"-Looking Branding|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-01-19|language=en|archive-date=2020-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207202905/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/stephen-colbert-enlists-magic-school-bus-examine-trumps-health-1075705|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/freeform-new-logo-tagline-a-little-forward-1202248477/|title=Freeform Unveils New Logo & "A Little Forward" Tagline|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2018-01-19|work=Deadline|access-date=2018-01-19|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119034535/http://deadline.com/2018/01/freeform-new-logo-tagline-a-little-forward-1202248477/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 26, 2018, Freeform's president Karey Burke was promoted to president of the ABC Entertainment Group to replace the outgoing Channing Dungey. Burke's replacement at Freeform was to be determined at a later date.<ref name="nov16bombshell">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/channing-dungey-abc-karey-burke-1203031129/|title=Channing Dungey Exits ABC; Karey Burke Named Network President|last=Holloway|first=Daniel|date=2018-11-16|work=Variety|access-date=2018-11-22|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119064833/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/channing-dungey-abc-karey-burke-1203031129/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/channing-dungey-exits-abc-karey-burke-take-as-entertainment-president-1162211|title=Channing Dungey Exits ABC; Karey Burke to Take Over as Entertainment President|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-11-22|language=en|archive-date=2018-11-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122052031/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/channing-dungey-exits-abc-karey-burke-take-as-entertainment-president-1162211|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 27, 2019, Freeform announced that the channel was placing two animated series into development called ''[[Betches]]'' and ''Woman World''. These were the network's first original animated series since changing its name from ABC Family,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |title=Felicia Day, Emma Roberts to Produce Pair of Animated Comedies for Freeform |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/felicia-day-emma-roberts-produce-pair-animated-comedies-freeform-1197452 |access-date=April 1, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 27, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328204344/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/felicia-day-emma-roberts-produce-pair-animated-comedies-freeform-1197452 |url-status=live }}</ref> and served as the foundation of a female-oriented animation block.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Freeform To Share 'The Simpsons' Off-Network Rights With FXX |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/freeform-the-simpsons-off-network-rights-share-fxx-1202614164/ |access-date=November 4, 2019 |work=Deadline |date=May 14, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104162144/https://deadline.com/2019/05/freeform-the-simpsons-off-network-rights-share-fxx-1202614164/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==== 2020–present; Shift of programming towards Hulu and end of Spectrum carriage ==== In May 2020, former Netflix executive [[Tara Duncan (media executive)|Tara Duncan]]—who was signed to an overall deal with sister streaming service Hulu in April 2020<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2020-04-08 |title=Hulu Strikes Overall Deal With Former Netflix Exec Tara Duncan & Sets Adaptation Of Zakiya Dalila Harris' Novel 'The Other Black Girl' |url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/hulu-overall-deal-tara-duncan-zakiya-dalila-harris-the-other-black-girl-1202903034/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>—became the new president of Freeform, replacing the departing Ascheim (who left to join [[Warner Bros. Television Studios#Warner Bros. Kids, Young Adults and Classics|Warner Bros. Kids, Young Adults and Classics]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=2020-05-28 |title=Former Netflix Exec Tara Duncan Named President of Freeform |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/tara-duncan-president-freeform-1234618879/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2022, the network began a larger expansion into non-scripted programming, announcing the projects ''Day to Night'' (later retitled ''[[The Come Up (TV series)|The Come Up]]''),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-02 |title=Freeform's NYC-Based Gen Z Series 'The Come Up' Sets Cast |url=https://www.thewrap.com/freeform-the-come-up-new-york-gen-z-cast/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Dear Pony: Keep This Between Us'' —a documentary on [[child grooming]] in American high schools, and ''The Deep End''—a documentary on [[Teal Swan]].<ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=April 5, 2022 |title=NYC Reality Series & Amy Berg-Directed Grooming Docuseries Lead Freeform's First Move Into Non-Fiction |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/nyc-reality-series-amy-berg-directed-grooming-docuseries-lead-freeforms-first-move-into-non-fiction-1234994790/ |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-11 |title='The Deep End' Trailer: Is This Guru a Savior or a Scammer? |url=https://www.thewrap.com/deep-end-trailer-teal-swan-freeeform-docuseries/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> On September 12, 2022, Freeform underwent a second rebranding initiated by Duncan and designed by Collins, which launched alongside the premiere of ''The Come Up.'' The logo consists of a wordmark with curved cut-outs in its "F" lettering, intended to create [[illusory motion]]s; Freeform's senior vice president of content marketing Joe Ortiz explained that the designs were intended to reflect "the ability to change and an openness to change", and "[create] a sense we are never static and always growing."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Michael |title=Freeform Introduces New Logo, The Network's Third Since Switching From ABC Family in 2016 |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/freeform-new-logo-joe-ortiz-tara-duncan-1235386275/ |website=Variety |date=September 28, 2022}}</ref> On the evening of August 31, 2023, Disney pulled Freeform and the company's other cable networks from [[Charter Communications]]' [[Spectrum (brand)|Spectrum]] cable TV services, which have 14.7 million subscribers, due to a [[Disney–Charter Communications dispute|carriage dispute]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/espn-abc-pulled-charter-spectrum-carriage-dispute-1235579642/|title=Disney Channels, Including ABC and ESPN, Go Dark on Charter Spectrum In Major Carriage Dispute|first=Alex|last=Weprin|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=August 31, 2023|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref> When the dispute was eventually resolved on September 11, the companies announced that Freeform and certain other Disney-owned channels would not be reinstated by Spectrum under their new deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/disney-charter-settle-cable-dispute-espn-monday-night-football-1235719696/|title=Disney, Charter Settle Cable Dispute Hours Before Debut of ESPN's 'Monday Night Football'|first=Brian|last=Steinberg|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 11, 2023|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref> Its programming will remain accessible to Spectrum subscribers via Hulu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/archer-final-season-disrupted-disney-charter-deal-its-always-sunny-grown-ish-bluey-impact-spectrum-1235543248/|title='Archer' Final Season Disrupted As Disney-Charter Deal Also Impacts Linear Viewing For 'It's Always Sunny', 'Grown-ish' & 'Bluey'|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=September 11, 2023|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref> Though Disney emphasized that there would be no change to its commitment to the Freeform brand, some analysts expressed doubt about it remaining as a linear channel in future provider negotiations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/disney-commitment-fxx-freeform-reaction-charter-deal-dana-walden-1235543864/|title=Disney Top Executives Assure Staff Of Commitment To FXX, Freeform & Other Cable Nets Dropped By Charter|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=September 11, 2023|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref><ref name="thr-break-bundle">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-spectrum-charter-pay-tv-1235587933/|title=Disney and Charter Avoided Breaking the Pay TV Bundle. Is That Good?|first=Alex|last=Weprin|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 12, 2023|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref> ==Programming== {{no footnotes|section||date=October 2016}} {{Main|List of programs broadcast by Freeform}} Outside of prime time, Freeform as of February 2024 offers a slate of mostly reruns of contemporary comedy series and animated sitcom series, such as ''[[Family Guy]]'', ''[[The Simpsons]]'', ''[[Black-ish]]'', and ''[[Boy Meets World]]''. The channel also produces some original programming, which as of March 2024 includes shows such as ''[[Grown-ish]]'', and Chrissy & Dave Dine Out. Until the debuts of ''[[Melissa & Joey]]'' (which ran from 2010 to 2015), ''[[Baby Daddy]]'' (which ran from 2012 to 2017), ''[[Young and Hungry]]'' (which ran from 2014 to 2018) and ''[[Grown-ish]]'' (which ran from 2018 to present), Freeform (as ABC Family) had long faced minimal success with its original sitcoms, with its drama series often outlasting its comedies. Freeform airs its original drama series on Monday and/or Tuesday nights, and since 2011 (beginning under the former ABC Family brand), has aired its comedy series on Wednesdays. The channel airs first-run episodes of its original series mainly between January and August, with films generally airing in their place during prime time on the aforementioned nights from September to December (the only exception since 2010, have been annual Halloween episodes of ''Pretty Little Liars'' that air as part of the 13 Nights of Halloween in October as well as the debut of the first third of season one (and the only season) of ''[[Ravenswood (TV series)|Ravenswood]]'' in October 2013), the first ten episodes (or as few as eight for new series) of each season of its original programs air consecutively, the season's remaining episodes are broadcast following a hiatus of four to six months. Dating back to its existence as ABC Family, Freeform typically only reruns episodes of its original series in a marathon that airs prior to a season premiere, mid-season or season finale, or other special occasion, though the channel does air encore presentations of its shows that typically preempt programs that normally air at 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time during the rest of the week on these nights (with the previous week's episode airing in the former time slot prior to the newest episode and a same-night encore of the newest episode on the evening of an episode premiere in the latter time slot). ===Films=== {{no footnotes|section, except for one footnote,|date=October 2016}} {{Main|List of Freeform original films}} Freeform airs movies in prime time on Thursday and Friday nights (and if no original series are scheduled, Mondays, Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays as well), along with a day-long schedule of films on weekends from as early as 7:00 a.m. (sometimes later, such as around 7:30 a.m. or 8:00 a.m.) to as late as 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturdays and Sundays. As of 2019, Freeform features a mix of animated and live action films from film divisions [[Walt Disney Pictures]], [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]], [[Pixar]], [[20th Century Studios]], [[Searchlight Pictures]], [[Touchstone Pictures]], [[Hollywood Pictures]], and [[Blue Sky Studios]]. Freeform also shows sub-runs (runs of films that have already received broadcast or syndicated television airings) of theatrical films from other studios such as [[Sony Pictures]], [[Universal Pictures]], [[Paramount Pictures]] (barring [[Nickelodeon Movies]] titles), [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], [[New Line Cinema]], [[HiT Entertainment]], [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]], and [[DreamWorks Pictures]]. Freeform has purchased the cable television rights to many film series, such as the ''[[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]]'' series (which ABC and Disney Channel also hold rights to), 2004's ''[[A Cinderella Story]]'' (and the direct to video sequels, ''[[Another Cinderella Story]]'', ''[[A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song]]'', and ''[[A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits]]'') and most recently the ''[[Legally Blonde]]'' film series (after securing rights to the 2009 made-for-DVD release ''[[Legally Blondes]]''). The channel also produces its own original made-for-TV movies (targeting a slightly older audience than those aired by sister network Disney Channel); some of Freeform's most popular original movies include ''[[Night of the Twisters (film)|Night of the Twisters]]'' (the channel's first original movie, which premiered in 1996 during its existence as The Family Channel), ''[[Holiday in Handcuffs]]'', the ''[[Au Pair (film)|Au Pair]]'' trilogy, ''[[Ice Angel]]'', and ''[[Cyberbully (2011 film)|Cyberbully]]'' (which premiered on the channel under either the Fox Family or ABC Family identities). As Freeform, the channel has had original movies such as ''Angry Angel'', ''The Truth About Christmas'', ''Life-Size 2'', ''No Sleep 'Til Christmas'', ''Turkey Drop'', and ''Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas''. ABC Family, the channel has also recently been generating high levels of viewers with its weekend movie events; the "Harry Potter Weekend" block in July 2009 generated some of the highest levels of viewers for its weekend events for the year to date. ABC Family's airing of ''[[The Hunger Games (film)|The Hunger Games]]'' on October 10, 2014, was one of the channel's most watched telecasts for a single film, being seen by nearly 1.9 million viewers. Freeform is becoming known for airing previews of 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 (2007 film)|Stardust]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Harry Potter Triple-Feature Weekend on ABC Family Includes OotP Sneak Peeks|url=http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/6/7/harry-potter-triple-feature-weekend-on-abc-family-includes-ootp-sneak-peeks|website=The Leaky Cauldron|date=July 7, 2007|access-date=March 5, 2008|archive-date=October 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002155259/http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/6/7/harry-potter-triple-feature-weekend-on-abc-family-includes-ootp-sneak-peeks|url-status=live}}</ref> The channel has also aired select Disney Channel Original Movies in recent years, including the 2008 movie ''[[Camp Rock]]'' the 2011 films ''[[Lemonade Mouth (film)|Lemonade Mouth]]'' and ''[[Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension]]'', and the 2017 movie [[Descendants 2]], which are also four of only five Disney Channel movies to air domestically on a non-Disney Channel branded network. (''[[Cadet Kelly]]'' is the other, having aired on ''[[Walt Disney anthology television series|The Wonderful World of Disney]]'' in 2002.) This has become somewhat more prevalent since the channel's January 2016 rebranding to Freeform, which has also seen the channel air such popular Disney Channel films as ''[[High School Musical]]''. Freeform aired the [[Olivia Rodrigo]] film ''[[Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U|Driving Home 2 U]]'' on May 14, 2022. It was the first time that a Disney+ original movie ever aired on Freeform (and thus, any linear television channel). ===Sports=== {{See also|MLB on Fox|ESPN Major League Baseball|MLB on TBS|page 4=Monday Night Football}} From 2000 to 2001, Fox Family aired a weekly [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) game on [[Thursday Night Baseball|Thursday nights]] during the league's regular season (a game that had previously aired nationwide on [[Fox Sports Networks|Fox Sports Net]] from 1997 to 1999), as well as select [[Division Series]] games. As part of its purchase of Fox Family, in addition to that game, Disney acquired the MLB cable television rights that were also held by Fox Family's then-sister channel [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]. ESPN assumed the production responsibilities for the two game packages beginning with the [[2002 Major League Baseball season|2002 MLB season]], although the game telecasts remained on ABC Family for one additional year, before ESPN struck a deal to move those playoff games to its flagship network starting [[2003 Major League Baseball season|the following year]] (although the games aired on Disney-owned networks, Fox kept the exclusive negotiation to renew the contract after the [[2006 Major League Baseball season|2006]] season; Fox chose not to renew their rights to the Division Series, which went to [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]] as part of its [[MLB on TBS|new baseball contract]]). The Division Series games broadcast on the network were simulcast on local broadcast television stations in the home markets of the participating teams.<ref name="nytimes-abcfamilymlb">{{cite news|title=TV SPORTS; ABC Family Offers Familiar ESPN Look|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/04/sports/tv-sports-abc-family-offers-familiar-espn-look.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 4, 2002|access-date=January 16, 2016|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129061331/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/04/sports/tv-sports-abc-family-offers-familiar-espn-look.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For the [[2020 NFL season]], ESPN aired an alternate broadcast of its [[National Football League]] (NFL) [[Wild card (sports)|wild card]] game on Freeform, alongside simulcasts on ABC, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes;<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-30|title=ESPN will air its NFL Wild Card game on five networks, including Freeform|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/espn-will-air-its-nfl-wild-card-game-on-five-networks-including-freeform.html|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193328/https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/espn-will-air-its-nfl-wild-card-game-on-five-networks-including-freeform.html|url-status=live}}</ref> this marked the first live sports telecast of any kind on the channel since [[2002 Major League Baseball season|2002]] (when the channel was known as ABC Family). ==Programming blocks== ===Current=== * '''Funday Weekend''' - Launched in late 2014, "Funday Weekend" is a two-day event that occurs once a month. During "Funday Weekend", "Funday" usually plays movies from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. * '''Family Guy Fridays''' - Launched on January 3, 2020, "Family Guy Fridays" is a weekly block that airs marathons of ''[[Family Guy]]''. It currently airs Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ===Seasonal=== * '''[[31 Nights of Halloween]]''' (originally '''13 Days of Halloween''' and later '''13 Nights of Halloween''') - The channel aired specials, such as ''[[Casper: A Spirited Beginning]]'', ''[[Casper Meets Wendy]]'', ''[[The Haunting of Seacliff Inn]]'', ''[[Lost Souls (1998 film)|Lost Souls]]'', ''[[Addams Family Reunion]]'', ''[[The Spiral Staircase (2000 film)|Spiral Staircase]]'', ''[[Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive]]'', ''[[The Hollow (2004 film)|The Hollow]]'', ''[[When Good Ghouls Go Bad]]'', and ''[[Deadly Invasion: The Killer Bee Nightmare]]''. Also aired was the TV Series ''[[Scariest Places On Earth]]''. Starting in 2006, this holiday lineup shifted towards more family oriented films, such as ''[[The Haunted Mansion (2003 film)|The Haunted Mansion]]'', ''[[The Addams Family (1991 film)|The Addams Family]]'', ''[[Addams Family Values]]'', ''[[Scooby-Doo (film)|Scooby-Doo]]'', ''[[Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed]]'', ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]'', ''[[Monsters University]]'', and "Harry Potter Weekends" (consisting of the first six Harry Potter films). ''[[Hocus Pocus (1993 film)|Hocus Pocus]]'', which rose to the status of a [[cult film]] through its showings on the block, has been a featured part of the block for decades, eventually receiving its own [[marathon (media)|marathon]] within the block in 2017. In 2019, the block began airing [[Treehouse of Horror|The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror]] after the [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|purchase of 21st Century Fox]] * '''[[25 Days of Christmas]] and Kickoff to Christmas''' (originally '''Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas''') – 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]]''. It has since expanded this holiday programming, adding made-for-television and theatrically-released movies, a litany of Rankin-Bass sequels (this was complicated somewhat because the broadcast rights of some of the original specials, including ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]'' and ''[[Frosty the Snowman]]'', were still owned by CBS), and other original programming to create "The 25 Days of Christmas". This program block airs in prime time on weekdays and from noon through prime time on weekends from December 1 to 25th each year, and has existed since 1996 under Freeform's previous brands. The block has aired some movies that are not necessarily holiday-related. The "25 Days of Christmas" also features special Christmas episodes of the channel's original series (with seven different shows airing Christmas specials in 2014, including ''The Fosters'', ''Pretty Little Liars'', ''[[Chasing Life]]'', ''Baby Daddy'', ''Switched at Birth'', and ''Melissa and Joey'').<ref>{{cite news|last1=Remling|first1=Amanda|title=ABC Family '25 Days Of Christmas' 2014 Schedule: Full Lineup Released; When And What To Watch|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/abc-family-25-days-christmas-2014-schedule-full-lineup-released-when-what-watch-1721009|access-date=May 31, 2016|work=International Business Times|publisher=IBT Media Inc.|date=November 7, 2014|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513155648/http://www.ibtimes.com/abc-family-25-days-christmas-2014-schedule-full-lineup-released-when-what-watch-1721009|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2019, the "25 Days of Christmas" name is now used for most of its sister channels, such as [[Disney Junior]], [[Disney Channel]], [[Disney XD]], [[FX Networks]] and ABC. ====Former==== * '''[[FitTV|Cable Health Club]]''' – In 1994, as The Family Channel, the channel ran programming from sister channel, the Cable Health Club, as part of a daytime block on Monday through Friday mornings, featuring the fitness instruction programs ''Tamilee Webb'' and ''Body by Jake''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cable Health Club takes new partners.|periodical=[[AdWeek|Adweek Western Edition]]|page=12|date=May 2, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TV Workouts -- All Exercise Shows Are Not Created Equal|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19941106&slug=1940016|author=Molly Martin|newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]|publisher=[[The Seattle Times Company]]|date=November 6, 1994|access-date=February 19, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303041855/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19941106&slug=1940016|url-status=live}}</ref> * '''The Game Channel''' – Premiering on June 7, 1993, The Family Channel debuted a 2½-hour game show block in preparation for the planned launch of the cable channel of roughly the same name (which never launched), featuring reruns of ''[[Let's Make a Deal]]'' and ''[[Name That Tune]]'', as well as two first-run shows based on the board game ''[[Trivial Pursuit]]'' (both hosted by [[Wink Martindale]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Game Channel gears up for launch|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13768444.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105164400/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13768444.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|author=Christopher Stern|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Cahners Business Information|date=May 17, 1993|access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref> By August of that year, the block was expanded to three hours.<ref>{{cite web|title=Family's game channel adds a little zing|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14413181.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222081737/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14413181.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2016|author=Kim Mitchell|periodical=Multichannel News|publisher=Fairchild Publications|date=August 16, 1993|access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref> * '''The Positive Place''' – Running from 1991 to 1994 on The Family Channel, "The Positive Place" was a weekly block that aired Sunday early evenings (from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time) featuring first-run episodes and reruns of original and acquired programs (including ''[[Katts and Dog|Rin Tin Tin: K-9 Cop]]'', ''[[Maniac Mansion (TV series)|Maniac Mansion]]'', ''[[Big Brother Jake]],'' and ''[[Zorro (1990 TV series)|Zorro]]'').{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} * '''It's Itsy Bitsy Time!''' – A preschool-oriented block that ran on the Fox Family channel (later ABC Family) from September 1999 until August 2002, airing in both half-hour and hour-long formats. The block featured a selection of children's series primarily imported from Europe, including ''[[64 Zoo Lane]]'', ''Tom and Vicky'', ''[[The Animal Shelf]]'', ''[[Budgie the Little Helicopter]]'', and ''[[Charley and Mimmo]]''. * '''[[Jetix|ABC Family Action Block / Jetix]]''' – The "ABC Family Action Block" debuted on the network in March 2002 (as part of a reduction of its children's programming), featuring various live action and (primarily) animated children's programs such as ''[[Medabots]]'', ''[[Beyblade (manga)|Beyblade]]'', ''[[Digimon: Digital Monsters]]'', ''[[Daigunder]],'' and ''[[Get Ed]]''. The block was rebranded as "Jetix" in February 2004, at the same time that [[Toon Disney]] launched its own action-oriented block of the same name. Of its long list of programs, the ''[[Power Rangers]]'' series was its most successful. ABC Family's Jetix block was discontinued in September 2006, at the same time the companion Toon Disney block was expanded (taking over more than half of that channel's schedule). * '''That's So Throwback''' – Launched in 2015 as a month-long programming stunt, "That's So Throwback" was a block of Disney Channel original programs (similar in format to that network's "Disney Replay" block) that aired Monday through Fridays from 12:00 to 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time. It featured a lineup of five Disney Channel Original Series from the 2000s each Monday through Thursday night (consisting of ''[[Even Stevens]]'', ''[[That's So Raven]]'', ''[[Hannah Montana]], [[Wizards of Waverly Place]]'' and even ''[[Kim Possible]]),'' with a select [[Disney Channel Original Movie]] from the late 1990s and 2000s airing on Fridays.<ref name=eo>{{cite web|title=Lizzie McGuire & More of Your Disney Favs Are Coming Back to TV|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/761460/lizzie-mcguire-more-of-your-disney-channel-favorites-are-coming-back-to-tv-for-all-your-nostalgia-needs|author=Jean Bentley|website=E! Online|publisher=NBCUniversal Cable|date=May 2, 2016|access-date=May 10, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505143528/http://www.eonline.com/news/761460/lizzie-mcguire-more-of-your-disney-channel-favorites-are-coming-back-to-tv-for-all-your-nostalgia-needs|url-status=live}}</ref> * '''30 Days of Disney''' - In September 2019, the network introduced 30 Days of Disney—an event that features airings of films from Disney properties. The event was sub-divided into themed weeks, including "Villains Week" (highlighting iconic villains from Disney films), "Pirates Week" (featuring the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise), "Singalong Week", and a week highlighting female characters. As of September 2022 this block seems to have stopped entirely. The block returns in November 2023 as their part of Disney100 celebration. ==Related services== {| class="wikitable" text-align: center; width="100%" style="background-color: #FFFFFF" |- style="color:white;" ! style="background-color: #1D6A6E"| Service ! style="background-color: #1D6A6E"| Description |- | align="center" width="200pt" |'''Freeform HD''' || '''Freeform HD''' is a [[High-definition television|high definition]] simulcast feed of Freeform that broadcasts in the [[720p]] format (the preferred HD resolution for The Walt Disney Company's television properties); it was launched as ABC Family HD in early 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney To Launch HD Networks on DirecTV|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/disney-launch-hd-networks-directv/30271|author=Glen Dickson|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=March 13, 2007|access-date=October 8, 2015|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107085914/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/disney-launch-hd-networks-directv/30271|url-status=live}}</ref> All of the network's original series and made-for-TV films, and many of its acquired programs are currently produced in high definition, which are presented in a [[letterboxing (filming)|letterboxed]] format on the [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] channel; films airing on the channel are also broadcast in HD whenever possible. The vast majority of pay-TV providers carry the network. |- | align="center" width="200pt" |'''Freeform On Demand''' || Freeform On Demand is the channel's [[Video on demand|video-on-demand]] service, offering recent episodes of the channel's original series and select made-for-TV movies to digital cable and [[IPTV]] providers. Freeform On Demand's rotating program selection incorporates select new titles that are added the day after a program's original episode airdate (or every two weeks for its original movie selections), alongside existing program titles held over from the previous two weeks. |- | align="center" width="200pt" |'''Watch Freeform''' || Watch Freeform (stylized as "WATCH Freeform") allows [[TV Everywhere|subscribers to Freeform on participating television providers]] to stream Freeform programming live or on-demand via the Freeform website or Watch Freeform [[mobile app]]s. It launched on January 7, 2014, replacing the original ABC Family app on mobile devices.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney To Expand Authenticated Streaming To ABC Family Shows|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/01/disney-expand-authenticated-streaming-watch-abc-family/|website=Deadline.com|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=January 5, 2014|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320185735/http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/disney-expand-authenticated-streaming-watch-abc-family/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Disney/ABC To Launch Watch ABC Family App|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/technology/disneyabc-launch-watch-abc-family-app/128232|author=George Winslow|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=[[NewBay Media]]|date=January 3, 2014|access-date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222163253/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/technology/disneyabc-launch-watch-abc-family-app/128232|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | align="center" width="200pt" |'''[[Hulu]]''' || The network also makes mention of the programming the network offers streaming on '''Hulu''', which through its part-ownership by the Walt Disney Company has full season "stacking rights" to several of the network's self-produced series since the network's "ABC Family; a new kind of family" era, excluding series such as ''Pretty Little Liars'', ''Shadowhunters'' and ''The Fosters'' that have instead been licensed to [[Netflix]]. |} ===International versions=== ====ABC Spark (Canada)==== {{Main|ABC Spark}} On October 26, 2011, The Walt Disney Company and [[Toronto]]-based media company [[Corus Entertainment]] entered into a partnership to launch a [[Canada|Canadian]] version of ABC Family, '''ABC Spark''', which launched on March 23, 2012.<ref>{{cite press release|title=New Millennial Focused Channel, ABC Spark, to Launch in Canada|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/10/26/new-millennial-focused-channel-abc-spark-to-launch-in-canada-789303/20111026abc01/|publisher=Disney–ABC Television Group|via=The Futon Critic|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=October 26, 2011|archive-date=September 11, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911211258/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/10/26/new-millennial-focused-channel-abc-spark-to-launch-in-canada-789303/20111026abc01/|url-status=live}}</ref> The channel, which is licensed by the [[Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission]] as a [[Category B services|Category B specialty channel]] (which under CRTC rules, allows Canadian digital cable and [[direct-broadcast satellite television|direct-broadcast satellite]] providers to optionally choose to carry the channel), is aimed at teenagers and young adults between 15 and 34 years of age.<ref>{{cite news|title=ABC Spark launches in Canada|url=https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/abc-spark-launches-in-canada-1118045086/|author=Jennie Punter|website=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=December 11, 2017|archive-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619220422/http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/abc-spark-launches-in-canada-1118045086/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ABC Spark name was purposefully chosen to avoid conflicts with [[pay television|premium service]] [[Family Channel (Canadian TV network)|Family Channel]]. Before the exclusive Canadian television rights to their programming formally transferred to Corus in January 2016 (through a broader deal struck in April 2015 that involved the launches of domestic English and [[French language]] versions of [[Disney Channel (Canada)|the]] [[Disney Junior (Canada)|three]] [[Disney XD (Canada)|channels]] as sisters to ABC Spark), Family maintained a licensing agreement with [[Disney Channels Worldwide]] that gave it territorial rights to the programming libraries of Disney Channel, [[Disney Junior]] (as well as its predecessor preschool programming block, [[Playhouse Disney]]), and [[Disney XD]] ([[Allarcom]] and [[The Movie Network|First Choice]] first proposed the "Family Channel" name for the Canadian service in 1987, and jointly launched it in September 1988, one month after the American channel changed its name to The CBN Family Channel).<ref name="corus-pr">{{cite press release|title=Corus Entertainment and Disney/ABC Television Group Join Forces in Landmark Licensing Agreement|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1518997/corus-entertainment-and-disney-abc-television-group-join-forces-in-landmark-licensing-agreement|agency=[[Canada Newswire]]|publisher=Corus Entertainment|date=April 16, 2015|access-date=April 17, 2015|archive-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417062006/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1518997/corus-entertainment-and-disney-abc-television-group-join-forces-in-landmark-licensing-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fp-corusdisney">{{cite news|title=Corus Entertainment snaps up Disney content from DHX Media, plans to launch Disney channel in Canada|url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/corus-entertainment-secures-rights-to-disney-channel-content-in-canada?__lsa=0f27-3aec|newspaper=[[Financial Post]]|publisher=[[Postmedia Network]]|date=April 16, 2015|access-date=April 17, 2015|archive-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417055718/http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/corus-entertainment-secures-rights-to-disney-channel-content-in-canada?__lsa=0f27-3aec|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ksn>{{cite news|title=DHX TV reveals fall skeds for rebranded channels|url=http://kidscreen.com/2015/08/21/dhx-tv-reveals-fall-skeds-for-rebranded-channels/|author=Jeremy Dickson|website=KidScreen|date=August 21, 2015|access-date=August 21, 2015|archive-date=August 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823041353/http://kidscreen.com/2015/08/21/dhx-tv-reveals-fall-skeds-for-rebranded-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Decision CRTC 87-905|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1987/DB87-905.htm|publisher=[[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]]|date=December 1, 1987|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=July 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708020007/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1987/DB87-905.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> While ABC Spark did not follow the lead of its U.S. counterpart and change its name to Freeform, it did adopt similar branding elements. ====The Family Channel/Challenge (U.K.)==== {{main|Challenge (TV channel)}} In 1993, International Family Entertainment, in partnership with [[Living TV Group|Flextech]], launched an international version of The Family Channel in the [[United Kingdom]],<ref>{{cite news|title=UK media group Flextech. (invests in UK Family Channel) (Brief Article)|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13966243.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026130142/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13966243.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 26, 2012|website=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Cahners Business Information|date=June 7, 1993|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Robertson wins TVS|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=January 23, 1993}}</ref> featuring a mix of original family-oriented programming, reruns of American series and programming from the [[MTM Enterprises]]/[[Television South|TVS]] library. In April 1996, International Family Entertainment sold its 61% controlling interest to Flextech,<ref>{{cite web|title=Buy-up strategy covers all exits|url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/buy-up-strategy-covers-all-exits/2037326.article|periodical=[[Marketing Week]]|publisher=[[Centaur Media|Centaur Communications]]|date=April 5, 1996|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017053413/http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/buy-up-strategy-covers-all-exits/2037326.article|url-status=live}}</ref> giving that company full control of the channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Family Entertainment Agrees To Consolidate The Family Channel Uk Into Flextech Plc.|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/INTERNATIONAL+FAMILY+ENTERTAINMENT+AGREES+TO+CONSOLIDATE+THE+FAMILY...-a018107792|agency=[[Business Wire]]|via=[[The Free Library]]|date=March 20, 1996|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118232705/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/INTERNATIONAL+FAMILY+ENTERTAINMENT+AGREES+TO+CONSOLIDATE+THE+FAMILY...-a018107792|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 3, 1997, the network was relaunched as '''Challenge TV''', which changed the network's primary focus to [[game show]]s. ==Criticism== With the 2006 introduction of new shows to the network by Disney, some parents reacted negatively to ABC Family's programming, feeling that the network has gone from family-friendly to "too risqué," and that content in shows such as ''[[Greek (TV series)|Greek]]'', ''[[The Secret Life of the American Teenager]]'', ''[[The Fosters (American TV series)|The Fosters]],'' and ''[[Becoming Us]]'' was far too racy for family viewing. Some critics claimed that ABC Family executives were only after attracting viewers, without concern about showing young people in questionable scenarios in its series and films. The main focus of the criticism was on [[teenage pregnancy]], [[Legal drinking age|underage drinking]], and [[LGBT]]-related issues.<ref>{{cite news|title=Teen Sex on ABC Family Sparks Debate|url=http://www.newser.com/story/49573/teen-sex-on-abc-family-sparks-debate.html|author=Amelia Atlas|website=Newser|publisher=Newser, LLC|date=February 1, 2009|access-date=May 11, 2010|archive-date=June 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602134958/http://www.newser.com/story/49573/teen-sex-on-abc-family-sparks-debate.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The channel's programming content standards had changed several years earlier after the sale of the channel by Pat Robertson and International Family Entertainment. The channel had even aired some acquired series and movies that contained profanity, violence, and sexual content or dialogue after the sale to News Corporation, only running this programming somewhat more so since being purchased by The Walt Disney Company as it chose to refocus the channel more towards a teen and young adult audience to reduce programming redundancy with its existing family-, children-, and teen-oriented cable network Disney Channel. Parental advisory tags had aired at the beginning of some [[TV Parental Guidelines|TV-14]] rated programs aired on the channel in recent years,{{When|date=December 2017}} such as ''That '70s Show'' and some episodes of ''The Secret Life of the American Teenager'', ''Pretty Little Liars'', ''Twisted,'' and ''The Fosters''. Audience testing conducted by the network revealed that some infrequent viewers thought the channel was still aimed specifically at families, resulting in Disney–ABC's decision to rebrand the channel as Freeform. Network president Ascheim refuted the longstanding claim regarding the inclusion of "Family" in the name, and acknowledged the network's shift away from a strictly family-oriented focus in the years leading up to the name change.<ref name="deadline-freeform"/><ref name="TVI-freeform"/><ref name="thewrap-freeform"/> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * {{Official website|http://freeform.go.com/}} * [http://www.wdtvpress.com/freeform/ Freeform Press] * [http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20081028abcfamily01 TheFutonCritic: ABCFamily] * {{YouTube|user=abcfamily|Freeform}} {{Disney–ABC TV Group}} {{BVS Entertainment}} {{Jetix}} {{Fox Kids}} {{Freeform|state=expanded}} {{Freeform Original Movies|state=expanded}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Freeform (TV channel)| ]] [[Category:1997 mergers and acquisitions]] [[Category:2001 mergers and acquisitions]] [[Category:Television networks in the United States]] [[Category:Disney acquisitions]] [[Category:Disney television networks]] [[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]] [[Category:Former News Corporation subsidiaries]] [[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1977]] [[Category:American companies established in 1977]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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