One of TV’s top destinations for quality kids’ animated content, Disney Channel is this month celebrating 40 years on the air! Launched in April 1983 as “The Disney Channel,” the outlet has offered generations of fans a broad lineup of animated and live-action content across hundreds of series and original movies.
“For four decades, Disney Channel has been home to some of the most iconic and beloved stories in the Disney portfolio,” said Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television. “We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous anniversary with our incredible talent past and present, our gifted creative partners and, most importantly, with you — our passionate and loyal fans around the world.”
Across its four decades, Disney Channel has debuted award-winning series and movies that influenced fandoms, fashions and the careers of up and coming talents. From Tiger Town, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, That’s So Raven, Wizards of Waverly Place, Jessie and Descendants, to Phineas and Ferb, Kim Possible, Gravity Falls and The Proud Family, Disney Channel has not only created memories for millions of kids and families, but also helped kickstart the careers of many successful actors and artists and sent countless songs to the top of the charts.
“When Disney Channel launched, it brought the magic of Disney storytelling into people’s homes for the first time on a daily basis, and over the years it served as the most easily accessible and constant cultural touchpoint into the Disney brand,” said Debra OConnell, President, Networks & Television Business Operations, Disney Entertainment. “Before they ever went to a Disney movie or hugged a beloved character at the Parks, many generations of people met their heroes for the first time on Disney Channel. That is a relationship that we cherish across the company today and is still unparalleled across the industry.”
All this? Just for us? You shouldn’t have! 🥳 #DisneyChannel40 pic.twitter.com/tJqSHVeG8p
— Disney Channel (@DisneyChannel) April 18, 2023
Disney Channel continues to build on this legacy with fan-favorite, award-winning programming, including current series Big City Greens, Kiff, Hamster & Gretel, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Raven’s Home, Bunk’d, Secrets of Sulphur Springs, The Villains of Valley View and Saturdays, as well as the upcoming revival of Phineas and Ferb, new installments in the Zombies franchise, and more.
Helping celebrate Disney Channel’s 40th is an animated tribute video from Chibi Tiny Tales featuring fan-favorite characters from throughout Disney Channel’s history (watch below or on YouTube), as well as fun throwback posts across Disney Channel’s official Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook accounts — which will be shared all month long.
Fans can also tune into Disney Channel’s YouTube channel, where full Disney Channel episodes — both old and new — are being live streamed through the end of April.
Happy 40th birthday, Disney Channel!
