&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Freeform_2022.svg){kind=small} Logo used since September 12, 2022 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | Burbank, California |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English Spanish (via SAP audio track) |
| Picture format |
|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Disney Entertainment |
| Parent | ABC Family Worldwide |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | April 29, 1977 |
| Former names |
|
| Links | |
| Website | freeform |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Affiliated Streaming Service | Disney+ and Hulu |
| Streaming services | YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, FuboTV, Vidgo, DirecTV Stream |
Freeform is an American basic cable channel owned and operated by Disney Entertainment business segment and division of the Walt Disney Company. Freeform primarily broadcasts programming geared towards young adults – with some skewing toward young women – in the 18-34 age range, a target demographic designated by the channel as "becomers". Its programming includes contemporary off-network syndicated reruns and original series, feature films, and made-for-TV original movies. Also a household can watch movies during seasonal programming blocks, like 31 Nights of Halloween, 30 Days of Disney, & 25 Days of Christmas.
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 founded as a 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 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.[1][2] The network was later rebranded as Freeform on January 12, 2016.[3][4][5]
As of September 2023, Freeform was available to more than 55 million households in the United States, according to Nielsen estimates.[6] The network's president reports to the chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment.
- ^ "News Corp. and Haim Saban Reach Agreement to Sell Fox Family Worldwide to Disney for $5.3 Billion". Saban Entertainment. July 23, 2001. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
- ^ Carl DiOrio (October 24, 2001). "Fox Family costs Mouse less cheese in final deal". Variety. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
- ^ Elizabeth Wagmeister (October 6, 2015). "ABC Family to Rebrand Network 'Freeform' in January". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
- ^ David Bauder (October 6, 2015). "ABC Family Changing Name To Freeform". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
- ^ Petski, Denise (December 10, 2015). "ABC Family Name-Change To Coincide With 'Pretty Little Liars' & 'Shadowhunters' Premieres". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ Weprin, Alex (September 12, 2023). "Disney and Charter Avoided Breaking the Pay TV Bundle. Is That Good?". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 12, 2023.