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Alan Wagner was the first ever president of Disney Channel, which was created by The Walt Disney Company. This happened in 1982, but it was not until 1983 that the company announced that it would launch a cable television channel aimed at children. It started with a great program; Good Morning, Mickey. Among other programs, Good Morning, Mickey was screened for 16 hours a day from 7am-11pm. By 1984, their popularity had grown enough to expand slightly, having an 18 hour day from 7am-1am
Just a few years down the line and another increase in popularity meant that the show was switched once more, to screening 24 hours a day. This was probably due to the increase in viewings after popular shows such as Welcome to Pooh Corner, You and Me Kid and legendry Paddington Bear were shown on a regular basis. The 24 hour schedule was incorporated by 1986 and continued to run after this point.
The All-New Mickey Mouse Club was something that could make or break the company and channel on the whole back in 1989. Luckily for The Walt Disney Company, the new launch was a smash hit, with more fans than ever following the channel. This Club also managed to kick start the careers for stars such as Christina Aguilera, JC Chasez, Ryan Gosling, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Keri Russell.
By 1995, Disney Channel realized how big a deal their channel had become. In fact, reports suggested that they were available in over 8 million properties throughout the United States. By 1997 Disney Channel realized that they could go so much further than just offering cable to kids and young adults. They went through a huge transition and eventually found that they could offer basic cable. This also led to a range of one week long previews a few times a year, which produced a lot of interest and increased the database of viewers a great deal.
Disney Channel chose to add “The” into the channel network name in 1997, when the network was slowly split down into groups. Playhouse Disney, Vault Disney (which included the likes of Zorro, The Mickey Mouse Club, the Walt Disney anthology television series) and also Zoog Disney. Zoog Disney was not exactly a smash hit, as Disney tried to aim adapted kids material to young adults.
Originally, the Zoog channel was a fairly basic, with a one dimensional. Jett Jackson, So Weird, Lizzie McGuire, Even Stevens, and Kim Possible were among the programs that were aired on a regular basis.
It was not until 2002 until the channel was finally re-launched. It was in an effort to warn off competitors who were encroaching on their territory. The re-launch went well with the Zoog name eventually being phases out due to its lack of popularity. The name did continue online, but eventually phased out over the year. As part of the re-launch the Vault Disney block was also phased out again to the lack of popularity. Disney Channel was now focusing on their main catalysts to the business and were able to take them that little bit further.
There is no doubt that The Walt Disney Company and their Disney Channel division has been one of their best developments to date. They continue to impress by producing some of the highest quality channels in the whole of America.
The great thing about Disney Channel is they constantly listen to their consumers and chop and change their brand image and programs to match where ever they can. The development for Disney Channel in the future is likely to put them in an incredibly strong position.
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