List of presidents of Disney Channel

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Disney Branded Television is a division of Walt Disney Television (part of Disney General Entertainment Content), a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.

Alan Wagner (1983–1984)

Further information: History of Disney Channel § 1977–1983: Origins

Walt Disney Company approached him to become the first president of Disney Channel
. The cable channel was a novel idea at the time, being the first cable station to be entirely dedicated to programming for children and the family. Given a $100 million budget, Wagner put together a staff of programmers to create new shows for the channel in addition to drawing from Disney’s extensive collection of prior television programs and films. The channel's first broadcasting day aired on April 18, 1983. It initially started with a 16-hour-a-day service.

Wagner left Disney Channel after the station's first year of programming, after which he formed his own independent film and television production company, Boardwalk Entertainment.

Anne Sweeney (1996–2004)

Further information: History of Disney Channel § 1997–2002: Relaunch

Sweeney joined The Walt Disney Company in February 1996 as president of Disney Channel and executive vice president of Disney/ABC Cable Networks.

From October 2000 to April 2004, Sweeney served as president of ABC Cable Networks Group and The Disney Channel Worldwide. Continuing with the strategy that was begun by her predecessor John F. Cooke, The Disney Channel more than quintupled its subscriber base with its mix of original series and movies and acquired programming. It is now available on basic cable in more than 87 million homes in the United States.[citation needed] Disney Channel executives hoped to become more "boy friendly" in 2010; especially when Good Luck Charlie premiered and when Aaron Stone and Zeke and Luther joined the main program line-up.[citation needed]

In April 2004, she was named president of the Disney/ABC Television Group. In this role, Sweeney is responsible for Disney's entertainment and news television properties globally. These include the

A&E
Television Networks.

Rich Ross (2004–2009)

Further information: History of Disney Channel § 2002–2007: Peak

In 1996,

The Cheetah Girls series. Popular Playhouse Disney shows developed during his tenure include Handy Manny and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.[2]

Gary Marsh (2011–2021)

Further information: History of Disney Channel § 2014–2016: Rebrand, and History of Disney Channel § 2016–present: Animation returns and acquired series

Marsh joined Disney Channel in July 1988 as executive director, original programming. He was made vice president eight months later, and in 1994 became senior vice president. In 1999, he was promoted to executive vice president, and in 2001 Marsh assumed the role of executive vice president, original programming and production, Disney Channel. From 2005 to 2009, he was president, entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide, and in 2009 he assumed the role as chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, before being promoted to president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, in 2011.[3]

Ayo Davis (2021–present)

Further information: History of Disney Channel § 2020–present: Decline and return to commercial-free service
Further information: Leadership of the Walt Disney Company

In September 2021, Davis, who most recently served as the EVP, creative development, and strategy, was promoted as president by Peter Rice (chairman of Disney General Entertainment).[4]

References

  1. Fast Company
    .
  2. ^ "Walt Disney Investor Relations" (PDF). Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  3. ^ Martin, Denise (September 5, 2005). "Disney Channel taps leading man". Variety. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2021-09-23). "Ayo Davis To Succeed Gary Marsh As President Of Disney Branded Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_presidents_of_Disney_Channel&oldid=1216426688"