Disney General Entertainment Content#Walt Disney Television

Media conglomerate Capital Cities/ABC Inc. merged and folded into the Walt Disney Company in 1996 and was initially re-branded as ABC Group. Assets from CC/ABC at the time being merged and/or acquired include/included the ABC Television Network Group, CC/ABC Broadcasting Group (ABC Radio Network, later Cumulus Media Networks, 8 TV and 21 radio stations), ABC Cable and International Broadcast Group, CC/ABC Publishing Group and CC/ABC Multimedia Group to the fold. The Cable and International Broadcast Group contained ownership shares of ESPN Inc. (80%), A&E Television Networks (37.5%), DIC Productions, L.P. (Limited Partnership stake), Lifetime Television (50%) and its international investments. These investments included Telephone-München (50%, Germany; included 20% of RTL II), Hamster Productions. (33%, France) and Scandinavian Broadcasting System (23%, Luxembourg). ESPN also had international holdings: Eurosport (33.3%, England), TV Sport (10%, France; Eurosport affiliate) and The Japan Sports Channel (20%). The Publishing Group including Fairchild Publications, Chilton Publications, multiple newspapers from a dozen dailies (including the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, The Kansas City Star) and more weeklies, and dozens more publications in the fields of farm, business and law trade journals plus LA Magazine to Institutional Investor. ABC Group pursued businesses in new and emerging media technologies, including the interactive television, pay-per-view, VOD, HDTV, video cassette, Optical disc, on-line services and location-based entertainment.{{Cite press release |title=Fact Sheet: The Walt Disney Company |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%2FFIRST+AND+FINAL+ADD+--+DISNEY,+CAPITAL+CITIES%2FABC+AGREE+TO+MERGE%2F-a017368916 |access-date=March 7, 2013 |work=Press Release |via=The Free Library |archive-date=October 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018014508/https://www.thefreelibrary.com//FIRST+AND+FINAL+ADD+--+DISNEY,+CAPITAL+CITIES/ABC+AGREE+TO+MERGE/-a017368916 |url-status=dead }}

In April 1996, due to the ongoing post Disney-CC/ABC merger realignment and retirement of its president, the Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications group's division was reassigned to other groups with Walt Disney Television International (including Disney Channels International and Buena Vista Television domestic syndication and pay-TV divisions, GMTV and Super RTL holdings) were transferred to Capital Cities/ABC.{{Cite press release |title=Roth, Iger Assume Expanded Responsibilities at the Walt Disney Company |date=April 16, 1996 |publisher=PR Newswire |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROTH%2c+IGER+ASSUME+EXPANDED+RESPONSIBILITIES+AT+THE+WALT+DISNEY+COMPANY-a018198127 |access-date=March 11, 2013 |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063707/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROTH,+IGER+ASSUME+EXPANDED+RESPONSIBILITIES+AT+THE+WALT+DISNEY+COMPANY-a018198127 |url-status=dead }} In May due to the merger, ABC ended its ABC Productions division operations while keeping its boutique production companies: Victor Television, DIC Productions, L.P., ABC/Kane Productions and Greengrass Productions.Littleton, Cynthia. (May 27, 1996) [https://web.archive.org/web/20140610053931/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18333392.html?key=01-42160D517E191C6A1009011604224E263C4D3C437779710F720E0B61651A617F137155 ABC folds in-house arm. (TV series production unit)]. Broadcasting & Cable. Access on November 13, 2013. The international operations of Disney TV International and ABC Cable and International Broadcast Group were merged in June as Disney/ABC International Television.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Debra |date=July 1, 1996 |title=Granath takes top slot at Disney/ABC International |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=http://business.highbeam.com/3610/article-1G1-18444077/granath-takes-top-slot-disneyabc-international |url-status=dead |access-date=May 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606234229/http://business.highbeam.com/3610/article-1G1-18444077/granath-takes-top-slot-disneyabc-international |archive-date=June 6, 2014}}

Under Disney, ABC Group sold various publishing companies in 1997. Chilton was sold to Reed Elsevier for $447 million and received $142 million from Euromoney Publications for Institutional Investor. In April, Knight Ridder purchased four newspapers including The Kansas City Star and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram for $1.65 billion. In August 1999, Fairchild Publications was sold to Conde Nast Publications for $650 million.{{Cite news |last=Kuczynski |first=Alex |date=August 20, 1999 |title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Merger Planned for 2 Giants of Fashion Publishing |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/20/business/the-media-business-merger-planned-for-2-giants-of-fashion-publishing.html |access-date=March 17, 2019 |issn=0362-4331}} In March 1998, ABC placed it shares of Scandinavian Broadcasting System up for sale.{{Cite web |date=March 2, 1998 |title=Disney to sell SBS stake |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1998/BC-1998-03-02.pdf |access-date=January 25, 2017 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |page=39}}

In late 1999, Walt Disney Television, along with other television units, were transferred again from The Walt Disney Studios to Disney–ABC Television Group and merged with ABC's primetime division, ABC Entertainment, forming ABC Entertainment Group.{{Cite web |last=Hofmeister |first=Sallie |date=July 8, 1999 |title=Disney Plans to Consolidate Two of Its Television Groups |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-08-fi-53934-story.html |access-date=July 5, 2013 |website=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web |last=Hofmeister |first=Sallie |date=July 9, 1999 |title=Disney Combining Network TV Operations Into One ABC Unit |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-09-fi-54430-story.html |access-date=July 5, 2013 |website=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite news |last=Schlosser |first=Joe |date=November 29, 1999 |title=A Mouse in-house |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-58124095.html |url-status=dead |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011162940/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-58124095.html |archive-date=October 11, 2013}} Robert A. Iger was promoted from president and chief operating officer in February 1999 to chairman of ABC Group and president of Walt Disney International.{{Cite book |last=Newcomb |first=Horace |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NUXIAgAAQBAJ&q=bob+iger+born+%22new+York%22&pg=PA1167 |title=Encyclopedia of Television |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-19472-7 |edition=2nd illustrated, reprint, revised |page=1167 |language=en |access-date=December 12, 2019}}

In March 2000, ABC formed the Disney Kids Network (DKN) advertising group via consolidation to sell ads for ABC's "TGIF" primetime programming, Disney's One Saturday Morning, the Disney's One Too syndicated programming block, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, The Wonderful World of Disney, Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh primetime specials. DKN was placed under senior vice president of sales at ABC, Dan Barnathan, and would also work on some ads with Radio Disney, Disney.com and the Disney Adventures magazine. DKN added Toon Disney when the channel started accepting ads in September 2000.{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=February 25, 2000 |title=Stay Toon-ed For Ads On Disney Spinoff Channel |work=All Business |agency=The Hollywood Reporter |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4832586-1.html |url-status=dead |access-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321115957/http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4832586-1.html |archive-date=March 21, 2009}}{{Cite news |last=Haman |first=Andrea |date=February 1, 2001 |title=Disney Kids Network looks for cross-promo opps |work=Kid Screen |publisher=Brunico Communications Ltd. |url=http://kidscreen.com/2001/02/01/30708-20010201/ |access-date=May 27, 2016}}

Iger was named president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company in January 2000.{{Cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=January 25, 2000 |title=Disney Names New President In Reshuffling |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/25/business/disney-names-new-president-in-reshuffling.html |access-date=March 17, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |quote=In appointing Mr. Iger as Disney's president and chief operating officer, Mr. Eisner sent a clear signal that he viewed the 48-year-old chairman of the Disney-owned ABC Group as a potential heir running the Disney empire.}} In 2000, with an investment by Bain Capital and Chase Capital Partners, Heyward re-purchased DIC Entertainment, L.P. from Disney, making the company re-independent{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Charles |date=November 19, 2000 |title=DIC plays new toon |url=https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/dic-plays-new-toon-1117789392/ |access-date=January 27, 2016 |website=Variety}}

In September 2002, then-Disney Chairman/CEO Michael Eisner outlined a proposed realignment of the ABC broadcast network's daytime parts with the similar unit in its cable channels: ABC Saturday mornings with Disney Channel units (Toon Disney & Playhouse Disney), ABC daytime with Soapnet and ABC prime time with ABC Family.{{Cite news |last=McClellan |first=Steve |last2=Trigoboff |first2=Dan |date=October 7, 2002 |title=Eisner touts 'national' duops: disney chief's turnaround plan couples ABC, cable networks by daypart |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-92711243.html |url-status=dead |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610205655/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-92711243.html |archive-date=June 10, 2014}} In October 2003, ABC Family Worldwide was changed from a unit directly reporting to the Disney COO to a unit running within the ABC Cable Networks Group under Anne Sweeney.{{Cite news |last=Romano |first=Allison |date=October 20, 2003 |title=Sweeney is family's new parent figure |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-109264641.html |url-status=dead |access-date=January 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611025857/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-109264641.html |archive-date=June 11, 2014}}

File:Disney–ABC Television Group logo.svg

On April 21, 2004, Disney announced a restructuring of its Disney Media Networks division with Sweeney being named president of Disney–ABC Television Group,{{Cite news |last=Fabrikant |first=Geraldine |date=January 5, 1996 |title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS;Disney and ABC Shareholders Solidly Approve Merger Deal |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/05/business/the-media-business-disney-and-abc-shareholders-solidly-approve-merger-deal.html |access-date=March 17, 2019 |issn=0362-4331}} and then-ESPN president George Bodenheimer becoming co-CEO of the division with Sweeney, as well as president of ABC Sports. This move added ABC TV Network within Disney–ABC.{{Cite web |title=ABC Networks Get Major Executive Overhaul |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=6540 |website=The Futon Critic}} ABC1 channel initially launched in the United Kingdom on {{dts|2004|9|27}} as the first use of the ABC brand outside the US.{{Cite news |last=Deans |first=Jason |date=August 5, 2004 |title=ABC spells out plans for Freeview channel |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/aug/05/digitaltv.broadcasting |access-date=February 19, 2014}} While ABC News Now was launched that year in the US on digital subchannel of 70 ABC owned & operated and affiliates.{{Cite news |last=Jesdanun |first=Anick |date=September 4, 2004 |title=ABC News banks on digital, despite small audiences today |work=USA Today |agency=AP |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2004-09-04-digital-broadcasts_x.htm |access-date=May 29, 2014}}

On June 12, 2007, Disney spun off its ABC Radio Networks and merged it into Citadel Communications with Citadel Broadcasting while retaining its ESPN Radio and Radio Disney networks and stations and a 10-year news provider licensing agreement with Citadel for ABC News Radio and the networks.{{Cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Phil |date=February 7, 2006 |title=Disney in deal to merge ABC Radio with Citadel |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/02/07/disney-in-deal-to-merge-abc-radio-with-citadel/ |access-date=June 7, 2016}}{{Cite press release |title=Disney and Citadel Announce Completion of ABC Radio Merger |date=June 12, 2007 |publisher=The Walt Disney Company & Citadel Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070612006347/en/Disney-Citadel-Announce-Completion-ABC-Radio-Merger |access-date=June 7, 2016 |agency=Business Wire}}

In February 2007, the previous iteration of Touchstone Television was renamed ABC Television Studio as part of Disney's push to drop secondary brands like Buena Vista for Disney, ABC, ESPN, and most recently, A&E Networks.{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2007 |title=Disney to Drop Buena Vista Brand Name, People Say (Update1) |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a0MG17nO.PG8&refer=home |access-date=November 28, 2012 |website=Bloomberg}} ABC1 in the UK was shut down on {{dts|2007|9|26}}.{{Cite news |date=September 26, 2007 |title=Disney pulls plug on ABC1 |publisher=Digital Spy |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a76429/disney-pulls-plug-on-abc1.html |access-date=September 26, 2007}}

On January 22, 2009, Disney–ABC announced a merger of ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios into ABC Entertainment Group.{{Cite news |last=James |first=Meg |last2=Chmielewski |first2=Dawn |date=January 23, 2009 |title=ABC Combines TV Network, Production Units |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-fi-abc23-2009jan23,0,6960665.story}}[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aPWtwRKWPLYw Disney Combines ABC's Programming, Production Units], Bloomberg.com, January 23, 2009 That April, ABC Enterprises took an ownership stake in Hulu in exchange for online distribution license and $25 million in the ABC network ad credits.{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Brad |last2=Stelter |first2=Brian |date=April 30, 2009 |title=ABC Will Add Its Shows to Hulu Site |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/business/media/01hulu.html |access-date=March 17, 2019 |issn=0362-4331}} The Live Well Network (LWN) was launched on April 27, 2009, by ABC Owned Television Stations on the stations' subchannels.{{Cite news |date=April 27, 2009 |title=ABC O&Os Launch Digital Network |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/209986-ABC_O_Os_Launch_Digital_Network.php |access-date=August 19, 2015}}[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/209986-ABC_O_Os_Launch_Digital_Network.php ABC O&Os Launch Digital Network], Broadcasting & Cable, April 27, 2009[http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3i18f9fdff77fbe360c575973113dc907b ABC Multicasts Live Well HD Channel], Mediaweek, October 25, 2009 Later that year, A+E Networks acquired Lifetime Entertainment Services with DATG ownership increasing to 42%.[https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/a-e-acquires-lifetime-1118007820/ A&E Acquires Lifetime]. Variety.com. August 27, 2009. In November, Disney-ABC sells GMTV to ITV for $37 million.{{Cite news |date=November 26, 2009 |title=Disney sells stake in U.K.'s GMTV |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2009/biz/news/disney-sells-stake-in-u-k-s-gmtv-1118011866/ |access-date=April 3, 2015}}

On March 24, 2012, following the dissolution of the ABC Daytime division, ABC Family Worldwide began taking operational control of Soapnet until that network was slowly discontinued for Disney Junior; which would later rebrand to Disney Jr. on June 1, 2024.{{Cite news |last=Eades |first=Chris |date=March 1, 2012 |title=ABC Family Is Taking Over SOAPnet... For Now! |work=Soaps in Depth |url=http://abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc-family-is-taking-over-soapnet-for-now-84151 |access-date=January 13, 2016}}{{Cite news |last=Giddens |first=Jamey |date=February 29, 2012 |title=BREAKING NEWS: Kate Nelson OUT at SOAPnet; Day-to-Day Operations Now Under ABC Family Until Channel Goes Dark |work=Daytime Confidential |publisher=Confidential Media, Inc |url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2012/02/29/breaking-news-kate-nelson-out-at-soapnet-day-to-day-operations-now-under-abc-family-until |access-date=January 13, 2016}}

In July 2012, NBCUniversal confirmed plans to sell its 15.8% stake in A+E Networks to Disney for $3 billion (along with its previous owner Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, who became 50-50 partners in the joint venture).{{Cite web |title=Walt Disney Company, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date Aug 7, 2012 |url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1025/0001193125-12-341212.pdf |access-date=May 12, 2018 |publisher=secdatabase.com}}{{Cite news |last=Goldsmith |first=Jill |date=July 10, 2012 |title=Comcast to sell A&E stake for $3 billion: A&E to redeem the 15.8% stake |work=Variety |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/07/10/comcast-to-sell-ae-stake-for-3-billion-ae-to-redeem-the-158-stake/ |access-date=July 11, 2012}}

On August 21, 2013, Disney–ABC announced it will lay off 175 employees. The layoffs are expected to hit positions among technical operations as well as the unit's eight local stations.{{Cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=August 21, 2013 |title=Disney To Eliminate 175 Jobs At ABC Television Group |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/disney-to-eliminate-175-jobs-at-abc-television-group-1200585235/ |access-date=September 6, 2013}} On October 28, ABC News and Univision Communications launched Fusion, a cable Hispanic news and satire channel.{{Cite news |last=James |first=Meg |date=August 1, 2013 |title=ABC-Univision cable network, Fusion, to launch Oct. 28 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-abc-univision-cable-news-network-fusion-launch-20130801,0,3417774.story |access-date=August 2, 2013}}

In August 2014, A+E took a 10% stake in Vice Media for $250 million, then announced in April 2015 that H2 would be rebranded into the Vice channel with an indicated early 2016 launch.{{Cite news |last=Atkinson |first=Claire |date=April 28, 2015 |title=Vice to get TV channel, replacing H2 on A&E Networks' roster |work=NY Post |publisher=NYP Holdings, Inc. |url=https://nypost.com/2015/04/28/vice-to-get-tv-channel-replacing-h2-on-ae-networks-roster/ |access-date=April 29, 2015}} Disney also directly made two $200 investments in Vice Media in November 2015, then a week later in December, they directly invested in it again for 10% to assist in funding its programming.{{Cite news |last=Ember |first=Sydney |date=December 8, 2015 |title=Disney Invests $200 Million More in Vice Media to Support New Programming |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/09/business/media/disney-invests-200-million-more-in-vice-media-to-support-new-programming.html?_r=0 |access-date=December 23, 2015}} ABC Family became Freeform on January 12, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=December 10, 2015 |title=ABC Family Name-Change To Coincide With 'Pretty Little Liars' & 'Shadowhunters' Premieres |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/abc-family-name-change-freeform-pretty-little-liars-shadowhunters-1201664640/ |access-date=December 11, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

On April 21, 2016, Disney–ABC sold its share in Fusion to Univision.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Meg |date=April 21, 2016 |title=Walt Disney Co.'s ABC sells its Fusion stake to Univision, exits joint venture |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-disney-abc-ends-fusion-univision-20160421-story.html |access-date=April 21, 2016 |website=Los Angeles Times}} In September 2016, the group's president Ben Sherwood named Bruce Rosenblum, Television Academy chairman and former head of Warner Bros. TV Group, as president of business operations in s the newly created position, to reduce the number of direct reports from 17 to about 8. Roseblum would oversee ad sales in conjunction with channel heads, affiliate sales and marketing, engineering, digital media, global distribution, IT, research and strategy and business development. This allows Sherwood to focus on content and direct operating units that continue to directly report to him, ABC network units, cable channel units (Disney Channels Worldwide, and Freeform), ABC Studios and ABC TV Stations.{{Cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=September 16, 2016 |title=Bruce Rosenblum Joins Disney/ABC TV as President of Business Operations |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/bruce-rosenblum-disney-business-operations-1201862792/ |access-date=September 20, 2016}}

With the March 14, 2018, Disney Company reorganization, in anticipation of integrating Fox assets from a proposed acquisition, all international channels including Disney Channels have been transferred to Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International, a new segment, with American channels remaining with Disney–ABC Television Group. All global sales units and distribution units have been transfer to the Disney Direct-to-Consumer segment.{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Christine |date=March 14, 2018 |title=Disney announces strategic reorganization, effective immediately |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/14/disney-announces-strategic-reorganization-effective-immediately.html |access-date=March 14, 2018 |website=CNBC}}

File:Walt Disney Television logo.svg

On October 8, 2018, Disney announced the division would be renamed into the second incarnation of Walt Disney Television following the completion of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox. The acquisition added 20th Century Fox Television, FX Networks and FX Productions, Fox 21 Television Studios, and National Geographic Global Networks to the division. Fox television executives Peter Rice, Dana Walden, John Landgraf, and Gary Knell joined The Walt Disney Company on March 20, 2019.{{Cite news |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=October 8, 2018 |title=Disney Unveils Top TV Executive Structure Post Fox Acquisition: Peter Rice, Dana Walden, John Landgraf, Gary Knell Joining |work=Deadline |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/disney-top-tv-executive-structure-fox-acquisition-peter-rice-dana-walden-john-landgraf-1202473566/ |access-date=October 9, 2018}}

On March 5, 2019, Craig Hunegs was named to lead the combined Disney Television Studios — ABC Studios, ABC Signature, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox 21 Television Studios. He would report to Walden.{{Cite news |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=March 5, 2019 |title=Disney Taps Warner Bros. Vet Craig Hunegs to Lead Merged TV Studios Unit |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/craig-hunegs-president-disney-tv-studios-1203155560/ |access-date=March 19, 2019}}

Following the completed acquisition of the 21st Century Fox assets in March 2019, Disney reorganized its television division to align various operations. On June 10, 2019, Disney announced that both Disney Television Studios and FX Entertainment would share the same casting division.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=June 10, 2019 |title=Sharon Klein Named Head Of Casting For Disney Television Studios & FX Entertainment |url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/sharon-klein-evp-casting-disney-television-studios-fx-entertainment-1202629287/ |access-date=June 22, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} After assuming full control over Hulu in May 2019, Disney reorganized Hulu's reporting structure in July 2019, placing Hulu's Scripted Originals team under Walt Disney Television. Under the new structure, Hulu's SVP of Original Scripted Content would report directly to the chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment.{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Walt Disney Television Gains Oversight of Hulu's Scripted Originals Content Team |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hulu-scripted-originals-disney-tv-erwich-1203287122/ |access-date=July 31, 2019 |publisher=Variety}}

On August 10, 2020, Disney Television Studios rebranded all of its three studios as part of merger terms which required dropping the "Fox" name from assets acquired from 21st Century Fox, with 20th Century Fox Television becoming 20th Television; Fox 21 Television Studios became the second incarnation of Touchstone Television to avoid brand confusion with Fox Corporation; and ABC Studios merged with the original incarnation of ABC Signature Studios to form the current ABC Signature. In addition, the original syndication arm of 20th Century Fox Television also called "20th Television" was folded into Disney-ABC Domestic Television.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=August 10, 2020 |title=Disney Television Studios Rebrands Its Three Units As 20th Television, ABC Signature & Touchstone Television |url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/disney-television-studios-rebrand-three-studios-20th-television-abc-signature-touchstone-television-1203008722/ |access-date=August 10, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

On October 12, 2020, the division was rechristened as Disney General Entertainment Content.{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=October 12, 2020 |title=Disney Streamlines As COVID-19 Woes Continue, Creating Single Media and Entertainment Distribution Unit Led By Kareem Daniel |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/disney-streamlines-covid-19-media-entertainment-distribution-kareem-daniel-1234596028/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=November 10, 2020 |title=Peter Rice Unveils Structure Of Disney's General Entertainment Division Focused On TV Content Creation |url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/peter-rice-structure-disney-general-entertainment-division-tv-content-creation-restructuring-gary-marsh-dana-walden-courtney-monroe-1234612367/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

In December 2020, Touchstone Television merged into 20th Television.{{Cite web |last=Holloway |first=Daniel |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Dana Walden Reorganizes Disney TV Team; Karey Burke Moves to 20th as Craig Erwich Adds ABC Entertainment |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/dana-walden-disney-tv-karey-burke-craig-erwich-1234843308/ |access-date=December 4, 2020 |website=Variety}}

On February 3, 2021, Disney Television Studios established a new unit known as "Walt Disney Television Alternative", which will be headed by former senior vice president of alternative, specials and late-night series at ABC, Rob Mills, to oversee the development of non-scripted programming.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=February 3, 2021 |title=ABC Unscripted Chief Rob Mills To Oversee Walt Disney Television Alternative Unit As Part Of Expanded Role |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/rob-mills-walt-disney-television-alternative-studio-abc-promotion-hulu-daytime-1234686605/ |access-date=February 3, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

On October 1, 2024, ABC Signature was folded into 20th Television.

{{col-float}}

• Dana Walden, Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment
• Steve Chung, Chief Counsel
• Craig Erwich, President, Disney Television Group
• Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television
• Rob Mills, Executive Vice President, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment
• Simran Sethi, President, Scripted Programming, Hulu Originals, ABC Entertainment and Freeform
• Jordan Helman, Executive Vice President, Drama
• Suzanna Makkos, Executive Vice President, Comedy
• Trisha Husson, Head of Strategy, Business Operations and Finance
• Sharon Klein, Head of Casting
• John Landgraf, Chairman, FX, National Geographic and Onyx Collective
• Gina Balian, President, FX Entertainment
• Tara Duncan, President, Onyx Collective
• Nick Grad, President, FX Entertainment
• Stephanie Gibbons, President, Creative, Strategy and Digital, Multi-Platform Marketing, FX
• Courteney Monroe, President, National Geographic Content
• Debra OConnell, President, News Group and Networks
• Almin Karamehmedovic, President, ABC News
• Chad Matthews, President, ABC Owned Television Stations
• Jen Reberger, Senior Vice President, Human Resources
• Shannon Ryan, President, Marketing
• Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, Executive Vice President, Publicity, and Head of Communications
• Eric Schrier, President, Disney Television Studios and Global Original Television Strategy
• Karey Burke, President, 20th Television
• Marci Proietto, Executive Vice President, 20th Television Animation
• Josh Sussman, Executive Vice President, Business Affairs
• Carol Turner, Head of Production, Disney Entertainment Television
• Jon Wax, Executive Vice President, International Original Television

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{{As of|2024|October}}, the following are the current units based on reporting structure:{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Lacey |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Disney's Dana Walden Reorganizes Senior Team: John Landgraf, Simran Sethi Elevated |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/disney-tv-reorg-john-landgraf-simran-sethi-elevated-1235337869/ |access-date=February 28, 2023 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2024-10-01 |title=ABC Signature Folding Into 20th TV Under Karey Burke; Hulu & ABC Scripted Teams Combining Under Simran Sethi In Major Reorg Resulting In Layoffs |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/abc-signature-sutdown-karey-burke-hulu-abc-simran-sethi-layoffs-1236104442/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

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• 20th Television
• 20th Television Animation
• Walt Disney Television Alternative

• ABC
• ABC Family Worldwide
• Freeform
• BVS Entertainment
• Hulu Originals
• Disney Branded Television
• Disney Channel
• Disney Jr.
• Disney XD
• Disney+ Originals
• Production units
• Disney Television Animation
• It's a Laugh Productions
• Disney Original Documentary
• Disney Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment
• FX Networks
• FX
• FXX
• FX Movie Channel
• FX Entertainment
• FX Productions
• National Geographic Partners
• National Geographic Global Networks
• National Geographic
• Nat Geo Wild
• Nat Geo Mundo
• National Geographic Studios
• National Geograpfic Documentary Films
• National Geographic Magazine
• Onyx Collective

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• ABC News
• ABC Audio
• ABC News Radio
• ABC News Studios
• Networks
• ABC Owned Television Stations

Transferred to Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution (DMED)

• Disney XD{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Disney XD's Marc Buhaj To Lead Unscripted Series & Specials For Disney Branded Television |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/marc-buhaj-unscripted-series-specials-disney-branded-television-1234697341/ |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
• ABC Owned Television Stations{{Cite web |last=Werpin |first=Alex |date=January 22, 2022 |title=Disney Names Chad Matthews President of ABC Owned Television Stations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/chad-matthews-abc-owned-television-stations-1235081940/ |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

Re-organizational transfers 2018

These assets were transferred to Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International (then Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution) in 2018, which include:

• Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment – formerly Buena Vista Home Entertainment
• Disney–ABC Domestic Television – also known as Disney–ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution and formerly Buena Vista Television
• Disney Media Distribution – formerly Disney–ABC International Television and before that, ABC Cable and International Broadcast Group
• Disney Branded Television - international channels only
• Broadcast Satellite Disney Co., Ltd. (April 2009–2018) – operator of Dlife channel (Japan){{Cite web |date=September 28, 2013 |title=Annual Report |url=http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/10k-wrap-2013.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207154930/http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/10k-wrap-2013.pdf |archive-date=February 7, 2014 |access-date=July 7, 2014 |website=The Walt Disney Company |page=3 |quote=Disney Channels Worldwide includes over 100 channels available in 34 languages and 166 countries/territories. Branded channels include Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Disney Cinemagic, Hungama and DLife.}}
• Hungama TV (2006–2018)
• Buena Vista International Television Investments
• RTL Disney Television Limited Partnership, 50%{{Cite news |last=Briel |first=Robert |date=November 16, 2012 |title=KEK okays Disney's takeover of Das Vierte |work=Broadband TV News |url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2012/11/16/kek-okays-disneys-takeover-of-das-vierte/ |access-date=December 27, 2016}} (–2018)
• Tele Munich Television Media Participation Limited Partnership, 50%
• RTL 2 Television Limited Partnership, 31.5% (1994–2018)
• RTL II (Germany)
• Super RTL (1995–2021) Germany
• Kividoo subscription video-on-demand (2015)
• Toggo Plus (2016)

Others

• ABC Radio Networks (1945–2007) sold to Cumulus Media
• American Contemporary Network (January 1, 1968)
• American Information Network (January 1, 1968)
• American Entertainment Network (January 1, 1968)
• American FM Network (January 1, 1968)
• ABC Rock Radio Network (January 4, 1982)
• ABC Direction Radio Network (January 4, 1982)
• ABC Talk Radio (1980s)
• Urban Advantage Network (UAN)
• Radio Disney Group (2003–2014) sold individual stations except one.
• Walt Disney Television (1999–2003)
• Disney MovieToons/Disney Video Premieres (1996–2003) launched as a part of Disney TV Animation; transferred out to Walt Disney Feature Animation (now Walt Disney Animation Studios).
• DIC Entertainment, L.P. (1996–2000) sold back to Andy Heyward.
• Jetix – merged into Disney Channels Worldwide (now Disney Branded Television).
• ABC News Now (2004–2009) digital subchannel network.
• Touchstone Television (2020) folded into 20th Television

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Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications (WDTT) was a division of The Walt Disney Company. At the time Disney and Capital Cities/ABC merged, WDTT's divisions were The Disney Channel, KCAL-TV Los Angeles, Walt Disney Television, Touchstone Television, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, and Disney Interactive.

On August 24, 1994, with Jeffrey Katzenberg's resignation, a reorganization of Disney took place in which Richard H. Frank became head of newly formed Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications, which was split from its filmed entertainment business, Walt Disney Studios.{{Cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=August 25, 1994 |title=Chairman of Disney Studios Resigns |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/25/business/chairman-of-disney-studios-resigns.html |access-date=April 28, 2014}} On December 5, 1994, Walt Disney Computer Software was transferred within WDTT as Disney Interactive.{{Cite web |last=Polsson |first=Ken |title=July to December 1994 |url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1994jul.htm |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company |publisher=Ken Polsson}} sources:
*{{Cite book |last=Fisher |first=Maxine |title=Walt Disney |year=1988 |page=A8}}
*The New York Times. December 6, 1994. p. D5.
*CD-ROM Today. February 1995. 3(2). p. 26.
*Windows Magazine. March 1995. 6(3). p. 42. At the end of his contract on April 30, 1995, Frank left Disney.{{Cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=March 7, 1995 |title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Top Disney TV Official May Leave |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/07/business/the-media-business-top-disney-tv-official-may-leave.html |access-date=December 27, 2016}} Dennis Hightower, a marketing executive, was appointed by April 9 to succeed Frank.{{Cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=April 9, 1995 |title=Clouds Over Disneyland |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/09/business/clouds-over-disneyland.html |access-date=March 17, 2019 |issn=0362-4331}}

In April 1996, due to ongoing post-Disney-CC/ABC merger realignment and the retirement of Hightower as president, WDTT's divisions were reassigned to other groups, with most of them transferred to either The Walt Disney Studios or CC/ABC. KCAL was sold to Young Broadcasting in May 1996 due to CC/ABC ownership of KABC-TV.{{Cite news |date=May 14, 1996 |title=New York Firm to Buy KCAL-TV for $385 Million |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-14-fi-3944-story.html |access-date=May 11, 2013}}

• Fox Networks Group (1993–2024)
• American Broadcasting Company
• List of production companies owned by the American Broadcasting Company
• ESPN Inc.

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