SB-05: Disney Channel 1.0 | Step One: Rename The Channel

Originally Posted by Jeff Harris

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I think that the name "Disney Channel" doesn't exactly embrace what the network is all about. Sure, it's the property of The Walt Disney Company and has been since 1983, but there's something missing in the current Disney Channel.

Actually a couple of somethings.

It's missing the Disney spirit and the Disney legacy. Some would argue that the current Disney Channel has a new Disney spirit and legacy of its own. That may be true, but perhaps with this new spirit and legacy, a new name could embody that spirit. The name Disney Channel is kind of stodgy, at least for the current channel using the name. That's why I think the name should be changed, not by much, to something more reflective of the youthful energy of the channel.

The name should be TV Disney. Why? Let me explain.

The current Disney Channel culture embodies youth culture not unlike Radio Disney. There's nothing really there for families and older members of the family to watch that doesn't revolve around kids (all of whom have this magical ability to sing and dance) getting into mischievous situations. This modern Disney Channel is changing the image of the Disney brand from a family-friendly brand to a kid-friendly brand, and quite frankly, they should just embrace it and remove the Disney Channel name in favor of TV Disney, a name that ties them closer to their radio-based cousin, Radio Disney.

I feel that TV Disney would be, what's the big-pointy-haired words now? Hipper, fresher, and cooler to the tween demographic than the stodgy Disney Channel name. Heck, a lot of younger viewers say "Turn to Hannah Montana" instead of "Turn to Disney Channel." TV Disney would belong to the tween audience that has made Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Camp Rock, Suite Life, and other shows household names. TV Disney would be an advertiser's dream. Highly-rated programming and a market ready for them. Yes, TV Disney would be advertising goods and products instead of just itself.

They've acknowledged that the preteen market is the one they desire the most, and TV Disney would embrace that attitude. And aside from the added commercial revenue, they wouldn't have to change a thing. No, the same attitude and shows on Disney Channel would be intact on TV Disney, with room to grow and evolve.

Now, what would The Disney Channel look like?