Tag Archives: 1980s

April 18, 1983 – The Disney Channel Begins Broadcasting

“The people at the Disney Channel want you to know that that’s the promise: a commitment to bringing you and your family the kind of quality television you’ll be glad to welcome in to your home.”

On April 18, 1993, the cable network Disney Channel began broadcasting. The channel began with an 18-hour programming block, which became a 24-hour broadcast on December 7, 1986. The channel was chaired by Jim Jimirro, and the leadership and success continued with John Cooke and Anne Sweeney, all of whom helped the channel reach over 35 million subscribers in a little over a decade. Disney Channel’s programming from the beginning has included original programming, classic Disney films and short films, and acquired family programming from other production companies. The concept of the Disney Channel has spread out beyond the United States, reaching countries such as Australia, Brazil, and the Philippines, eventually reaching 163 countries and broadcasting in 32 languages in 2009. An accompanying magazine was also published, known as The Disney Channel Magazine, but was discontinued in 1997.