The History of ABC Kids

Summary

The video script discusses the history of ABC Kids, a TV block launched by Disney in 1997 after the merger with Capital Cities. It highlights the unique features of the block, including a virtual set and special day treatment. The block initially featured popular shows like 'Recess' and 'Disney's Dog,' with interstitials such as 'Schoolhouse Rock.' However, with the FCC's new regulations and the shift to live-action shows, the block declined and was eventually discontinued in 2011. The script also mentions 'Disney's One Too,' which aired on UPN.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The script discusses the history of a TV block from the 2000s, specifically ABC Kids, which was a significant part of Saturday morning programming.
• 🔄 In 1996, the Walt Disney Company merged with Capital Cities/ABC, leading to Disney owning one of the big three networks and prompting a revamp of ABC's programming.
• 🛠️ Michael Eisner, CEO of Disney at the time, sought to differentiate ABC's Saturday morning block from competitors like Fox Kids and Kids WB, enlisting Peter Hastings to make changes including a virtual set and special day treatment for Faraday.
• 🗓️ Disney's One Saturday Morning officially launched on September 13th, 1997, with a three-hour regular block that included a two-hour block of interstitials hosted by child actors.
• 📺 Popular shows like 'Recess' and 'Disney's Dog' were part of the programming, alongside educational interstitials such as 'Schoolhouse Rock', which first aired in 1973.
• 📉 The script mentions the downfall of Fox Kids and suggests watching a separate history video for more details on that topic.
• 🚀 In the early 2000s, live-action shows moved to the ABC Kids block, powered by zugzizzy, marking a shift in the type of content being aired.
• 🏠 In 2001, Disney's acquisition of Fox Family led to the end of Fox Kids and the introduction of a successor, ABC Kids, in 2002, which mainly aired reruns and certain seasons of 'Power Rangers'.
• 📈 The FCC introduced new regulations for Saturday morning TV, which impacted the programming strategy of ABC Kids, turning it into a repository for Disney Channel programming.
• 💤 ABC Kids eventually ceased in 2011, marking the end of an era for Saturday morning children's programming.
• 📺 The script also briefly mentions 'Disney's One Too', which aired on UPN, indicating there was another Disney-related programming block.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in 1996 that impacted ABC?

In 1996, the Walt Disney Company merged with ABC Capital Cities, which was big news because Disney then owned one of the big three networks.

Who was tasked with revamping ABC's Saturday morning block in the late 1990s?

Michael Eisner asked Peter Hastings to make changes to ABC's Saturday morning block to differentiate it from Fox Kids and Kids WB.

When did Disney's One Saturday Morning officially launch?

Disney's One Saturday Morning officially launched on September 13th, 1997.

How long did the Disney's One Saturday Morning block air regularly?

The block aired for three hours regularly, including a two-hour block of programming.

What was the role of child actors in the Disney's One Saturday Morning block?

Child actors hosted interstitials within the Disney's One Saturday Morning block.

What is Schoolhouse Rock, and when did it first air?

Schoolhouse Rock is an interstitial series that aired within the Disney's One Saturday Morning block, and it first aired in 1973.

What changes did the FCC make to Saturday morning TV that affected ABC Kids?

The FCC made new changes to better regulate Saturday morning TV, which eventually led to ABC Kids becoming a graveyard for Disney Channel programming.

When did ABC Kids come to an end?

ABC Kids was laid to rest in 2011.

What was the role of zugzizzy in the early 2000s for ABC Kids?

Zugzizzy powered the live-action shows that moved to the ABC Kids block in the early 2000s.

What happened to Fox Kids after Disney bought Fox Family in 2001?

After Disney bought Fox Family in 2001, Fox Kids was effectively replaced, and a successor, ABC Kids, was introduced in 2002.

What was the content of ABC Kids after its introduction in 2002?

After its introduction in 2002, ABC Kids mainly aired reruns of Disney Channel programming and various seasons of Power Rangers.