| 1 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/freeform_2022.png]] |
| 2 | [[caption-width-right:350:''[[{{Slogans}} A little forward]]'']] |
| 3 | |
| 4 | A cable TV channel owned by [[Creator/{{Disney}} The Walt Disney Company]]. |
| 5 | |
| 6 | It started in 1977 as the ''CBN Satellite Network'', then ''CBN Cable Network'' ("CBN" standing for "Christian Broadcasting Network"), owned by controversial right-wing evangelist Pat Robertson. When it started as CBN Satellite, it originally focused exclusively on religous programming, but when it was rebranded as CBN Cable, it began to be modeled after the over-the-air independent stations CBN also owned at the time; this resulted in a mix of religious shows and secular, family-friendly programming, including older reruns and some original shows. |
| 7 | |
| 8 | In 1988, the channel was renamed as ''The CBN Family Channel''; two years later it was spun off and the name was changed to ''The Family Channel''[[note]]although it was often referred to as just ''Fam'' (primarily in ''TV Guide'' listings), but by the mid '90s they had also begun branding programming as ''Fam TV'' or ''Fam AFTV'' (for afternoon programming)[[/note]], as the channel had begun to make too much money for non-profit CBN to keep it around. Through all the CBN/Family Channel years, though, outside of the hours devoted to ''The 700 Club'' and its surrounding programming it was probably known more for being the place your grandfather got his fix of [[TheWestern Westerns]] with ''Series/{{Gunsmoke}}'', ''Series/TheBigValley'', and ''Series/{{Bonanza}}'', or where obscure GameShows got rerun (and in turn, sometimes attracted a cult following). Outside of those shows, also in the mix were reruns of family-oriented sitcoms and drama, plus cartoons (notably dubbed anime such as ''Anime/{{Superbook}}'', ''Anime/FlyingHouse'', the ''Anime/WorldMasterpieceTheater'' version of ''Literature/SwissFamilyRobinson'', ''[[Manga/HoneyHoneyNoSutekiNaBouken Honey Honey]]'', and oddly given the channel's ownership, the first U.S. broadcast of ''Anime/MazingerZ'' prior to that show's syndicated release as ''Tranzor Z''). In the early 1990s, the network started original programming such as ''Big Brother Jake'' (think ''Series/CharlesInCharge'', minus the hijinks of teenage hormones), and the television version of ''VideoGame/ManiacMansion'', which owing to where it aired was severely [[{{Bowdlerise}} Bowdlerised]]. Soon, though, most of the network's original efforts devolved to the usual [[NoBudget low budget]] family game shows found on cable at that time, including the second iteration of ''Series/ShopTilYouDrop''. |
| 9 | |
| 10 | The Family Channel, which was by this point co-owned with the library of MTM Enterprises, was bought by Creator/{{Fox}} in 1997, and renamed as the ''Fox Family Channel'' (or often just ''Fox Family'') the next year, and became primarily a hub for programming from Creator/FoxKids and Creator/SabanEntertainment, and programming imported from or co-produced with Creator/{{Teletoon}}. The early look of the network, with the "twister" logo, was modelled after Canada's Creator/{{YTV}}, including an equivalent to YTV's ''The Zone'', known as ''The Basement''; other blocks included ''Captain Kangaroo's Treasure House'' (named after and featuring Saban's ''Series/CaptainKangaroo'' revival). The channel, along with Creator/FoxKids, was sold to Disney in 2001 because not only did Fox have no idea what to do with a network devoted to families but the network struggled in ratings- they needed to sell it to avoid further money drainage. This was thanks to infighting between Fox and Saban over who ran the network, mediocre reaction to their new programming (often seen as their attempt to be a cut-rate Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}), a mass exodus of older viewers who loved the Westerns and game shows they had before, and the restrictions of their contract for the purchase of the network. An attempt to create two spin-off channels with sex-segregated children's programming, the [[XtremeKoolLetterz Boyz & Girlz Channels]], also failed because of a lack of interest and viewers questioning excluding one gender from an entire channel (though it could be said that these days, the Creator/DisneyChannel and Creator/DisneyXD have the near-same concept). Even adding UsefulNotes/MajorLeagueBaseball coverage (shared with Creator/{{FX|Networks}}) that had previously aired on Fox [=SportsNet=] didn't help. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | That same year, the channel's name became ''ABC Family'', the Creator/FoxKids block met its end the next year, and its programming moved to ABC Family (and Creator/ToonDisney) as "Jetix" (the name was introduced in 2004; previous to that the programming had aired on ABCF under the internal name of there "ABC Family Action Block"). The early ABC years were spent converting the network to a place to re-air ABC programs, which was botched by the network realizing that only programs from their internal studio could get a second ABC Family run, with other outside producers heavily objecting to the arrangement. By 2005, it had seemed to become a place for cheap reality programming and non-stop reruns of ''Series/TheBachelor''. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | Disney planned to revamp the channel into a young-adult-aimed channel named "XYZ", but these plans were scrapped.[[note]]It was said that a contractual stipulation from network founder Pat Robertson was keeping the "Family" name on the network, but these rumors were soon denied by ABC Family representatives; the "Family" name was actually written into various contracts with other cable companies.[[/note]] The channel eventually [[LoopholeAbuse abused a loophole]] and changed their slogan to "A new kind of family". It was pretty much ABC Family's way of saying that they may have to keep "Family" in their name, but [[NetworkDecay that wouldn't stop them from becoming a not-so-family-friendly channel]]. From then on, the channel began airing programs with sexual content and other edgy material you wouldn't normally associate with a network with "Family" in the name. Eventually, ABC Family also got actual original programming too, mainly targeting young women. The end result is something akin to being the Creator/AdultSwim to Creator/DisneyChannel... or the channel itself being "Teen Disney", the channel's answer to Creator/TeenNick (Minus the old Disney shows in it). |
| 15 | |
| 16 | In March 2012, the network gained a Canadian counterpart in [[Creator/CorusEntertainment ABC Spark]], which replaced Dusk ([[NetworkDecay formally, a horror film network called Scream]]). ABC Spark is bound by none of Robertson's requirements, and outside of some programs already claimed by other channels (like ''Series/PrettyLittleLiars'', which was one of Creator/MuchMusic's stalwart shows), carries most of ABC Family's original shows, and even rerun shows. |
| 17 | |
| 18 | 2015 is notable for bringing in a series of revolutionary events. Their original show ''Series/TheFosters'' gained some extra buzz for boasting what has been said to be [[http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/abc-familys-fosters-features-what-may-be-youngest-same-sex-kiss-tv-history030315 the youngest same sex kiss]] in television history. A few months later, it started airing its first RealityShow, ''Becoming Us'', about a teen couple dealing with their transgender mothers. |
| 19 | |
| 20 | Finally, on October 6th, ABC Family management confirmed that the network would be renamed once again, to [[http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/06/abc-family-changing-name-freeform Freeform]]. The new name is an attempt to re-position the channel towards millen--. er, [[InsistentTerminology "becomers"]], and rid itself of any lingering presumption of wholesomeness implied by the use of the word "Family"; a programming strategy that led to ABC Family being targeted regularly by moral guardians and viewers who felt there was severe brand dissonance. This move also debunked a prior rumor that a contractual obligation from network founder Pat Robertson was the reason the "Family" name was kept on the channel. (Sources, such as James B. Stewart's ''Disney War'', merely said that the name "Family" was written into previous contracts with cable companies.) The new branding launched on January 12, 2016 to coincide with the premiere of ''Series/{{Shadowhunters}}''. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | The channel is notable for two popular seasonal month-long blocks of programming, ''25 Days of Christmas'' and ''31 Days of Halloween''. The station had holiday blocks prior to Disney but were routinely of the direct-to-home variety; once Disney and its expanded, popular library and rights took over, the channel began to air more mainstream, holiday-themed movies (such as ''Film/HomeAlone'' and ''Film/TheSantaClause'') from morning through primetime every day through the first 25 days of December, providing viewers with a Christmas staple at most hours of the day (whereas other competing channels usually just offer them in the prime time block). Freeform saw such a noticeable bump in ratings that Halloween followed suit, originally starting with ''13 Days of Halloween'' and eventually expanding to ''31'' covering the entire month of October. Of note, this block was the genesis of ''Film/HocusPocus'''s revitalization amongst younger generations after a middling theatrical release in 1993 and subsequent [[CultClassic cult status]] among millennials; its newfound popularity both garnered it a sequel and its own 24-hour marathon during ''31 Days of Halloween''. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | Freeform is [[TheArtifact still contractually obligated]] to air ''The 700 Club'' (along with CBN's annual 24-hour {{telethon}} in late January). They do their damned best to make sure nobody watches it and to make everyone know they do ''not'' stand behind anything Pat Robertson has to say: they bury the show at 10AM, 11PM, and 3AM[[note]](which does give the ''CBN News'' segments potential credibility as an alternate news source against the 10AM and 11PM newscasts)[[/note]], airs commercials before it (after the closing credits of the previous show), shows a [[ContentWarnings very snarky disclaimer]] which encourages viewers to watch Freeform programming on other legit sources while completely disavowing the views expressed by the program, and remove all Freeform branding from the screen during the show's airtime. Considering the very controversial views presented by Robertson's crew and ''700'''s socially conservative demographic directly clashing with the socially progressive one Freeform aims for, the way the network [[ScrewedByTheNetwork screws it over]] is not that surprising. Despite the fact that ''700'' also airs on local stations and religious network Creator/{{TBN}}, CBN refuses to terminate Freeform's contract to air the show, much to the chagrin of Disney. |
| 25 | |
| 26 | Disney acquired [[Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios 21st Century Fox]] in 2019, which gave them ownership of Creator/FXNetworks, and reunified Freeform with the former corporate sibling. Freeform has began sharing programming rights with FX; namely [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons two long-running]] [[WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy animated sitcoms]] seen on their [[Creator/{{Fox}} "other" former corporate sibling]]. |
| 27 | ---- |
| 28 | !!Original shows: |
| 29 | '''Bold''' indicates ongoing or upcoming programs. |
| 30 | [[index]] |
| 31 | * ''Series/TenThingsIHateAboutYou'' (2009-10) |
| 32 | * ''2nd Honeymoon'' (1987-88; as CBN Cable Network) |
| 33 | * '''''The 700 Club''''' (1977-present) |
| 34 | * ''Alone Together'' (2018) |
| 35 | * ''Another Life (1981)'' (1981-84; as CBN Cable Network)[[note]]one of the first entertainment series produced for the channel; was intended as [[TheMoralSubstitute a moral substitute]] for the traditional SoapOpera format[[/note]] |
| 36 | * ''Series/BabyDaddy'' (2012-17; as ABC Family) |
| 37 | * ''Baby Races'' (1993-94; as The Family Channel) |
| 38 | * ''Becoming Us'' (2015; as ABC Family) |
| 39 | * ''Series/{{Beyond}}'' (2017-18) |
| 40 | * ''Big Brother Jake'' (1990-94; as The Family Channel) |
| 41 | * ''Boggle: The Interactive Game'' (1994; as The Family Channel)[[note]]Along with ''Jumble'' and ''Shuffle'', one of three interactive game shows produced and hosted by [[Series/TicTacDough Wink]] [[Series/HighRollers Martindale]] and announced by [[Series/SupermarketSweep Randy West]][[/note]] |
| 42 | * ''Series/TheBoldType'' (2017-21) |
| 43 | * ''Series/{{Bunheads}}'' (2012-13; as ABC Family) |
| 44 | * ''Series/ChasingLife'' (2014-15; as ABC Family) |
| 45 | * ''[[Series/CloakAndDagger2018 Cloak & Dagger]]'' (2018-19; part of the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse) |
| 46 | * '''''Series/CruelSummer''''' (2021-present) |
| 47 | * ''Dancing Fools'' (2013; as ABC Family) |
| 48 | * ''Series/DeadOfSummer'' (2016) |
| 49 | * ''Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings'' (2017-18) [[note]]Ran one season on Freeform; moved to Creator/DisneyPlus for season 2[[/note]] |
| 50 | * ''Edgemont'' (2000-04; as ABC Family, originally broadcast by Creator/{{CBC}}) |
| 51 | * ''Series/EverythingsGonnaBeOkay'' (2020-21) |
| 52 | * ''Falcon Beach'' (2006-07; as ABC Family) |
| 53 | * ''Series/FamilyChallenge'' (1995-97; as The Family Channel) [[note]]notable for being the last show hosted by former ''Series/FamilyFeud'' host Ray Combs prior to his 1996 suicide, as well as the last game show announced full-time by Gene Wood prior to his retirement[[/note]] |
| 54 | * ''Series/FamousInLove'' (2017-18) |
| 55 | * ''Series/TheFosters'' (2013-18; as ABC Family) |
| 56 | ** '''''Series/GoodTrouble''''' (2019-present) |
| 57 | * ''Freak Out'' (2014-15; as ABC Family) |
| 58 | * ''Series/GhostStories'' (1997-98; as The Family Channel) |
| 59 | * ''Great Pretenders'' (1999-2002; as Fox Family) [[note]]similar to the below-mentioned ''Amateur Hour'' except that this one was basically a lipsync contest; hosted by the band Wild Orchid, consisting of Stefanie Ridel and ''Series/KidsIncorporated'' alumnae Stacy Ferguson (better known today as simply Music/{{Fergie}}) and Renee Sands[[/note]] |
| 60 | * ''Series/{{Greek}}'' (2007-11; as ABC Family) |
| 61 | * '''''Series/GrownIsh''''' (2018-present) |
| 62 | * ''Series/{{Guilt}}'' (2016) |
| 63 | * ''Series/HigherGround'' (2000; as Fox Family) |
| 64 | * ''The Home And Family Show'' (1996-98; as The Family Channel)[[note]]Hosted by Christina Ferrare and [[Series/WheelOfFortune Chuck]] [[Series/{{Scrabble}} Woolery]] (who was replaced by [[Series/MatchGame Michael Berger]] after a while). In 2012 it was UnCancelled on the Hallmark Channel and is currently hosted by Ferrare (who replaced Paige Davis) with Mark Steines.[[/note]] |
| 65 | * ''Literature/{{Huge}}'' (2010; as ABC Family) |
| 66 | * ''It Takes Two'' (1997; as The Family Channel) [[note]]1997 revival of the 1969-70 Creator/{{NBC}} game show, [[SimilarlyNamedWorks not the]] [[Film/ItTakesTwo1995 Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen movie of the same name]][[/note]] |
| 67 | * ''Series/JaneByDesign'' (2012; as ABC Family) |
| 68 | * ''Job Or No Job'' (2015; as ABC Family) |
| 69 | * ''Jumble: The Interactive Game'' (1994; as The Family Channel)[[note]]Along with ''Boggle'' and ''Shuffle'', one of three interactive game shows produced and hosted by [[Series/TicTacDough Wink]] [[Series/HighRollers Martindale]] and announced by [[Series/SupermarketSweep Randy West]][[/note]] |
| 70 | * ''Kal Penn Approves This Message'' (2020)[[note]]an unscripted series made in conjunction with Freeform's "Kick 2020 in the Ballots. FF'ing Vote" campaign encouraging the channel's target audience to vote in the 2020 election. It features Kal Penn engaging in field pieces and sit-down interviews regarding issues relevant to Millennial and Generation Z voters.[[/note]] |
| 71 | * ''Kevin From Work'' (2015; as ABC Family) |
| 72 | * ''Series/KyleXY'' (2006-09; as ABC Family) |
| 73 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfPrinceValiant'' (1991-93; as The Family Channel) |
| 74 | * ''Series/LincolnHeights'' (2007-09; as ABC Family) |
| 75 | * ''Love in the Time of Corona'' (2020)[[note]]a remotely produced miniseries about people looking for love while socially distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic[[/note]] |
| 76 | * ''Series/TheLyingGame'' (2011-13; as ABC Family) |
| 77 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Madeline}}'' (1990-91; as The Family Channel) |
| 78 | * ''Series/MakeItOrBreakIt'' (2009-12; as ABC Family) |
| 79 | * ''VideoGame/ManiacMansion'' (1990-93; as The Family Channel) |
| 80 | * ''Series/MastersOfTheMaze'' (1994-95; as The Family Channel) |
| 81 | * ''Maximum Drive'' (1994; as The Family Channel) |
| 82 | * ''Series/MelissaAndJoey'' (2010-15; as ABC Family) |
| 83 | * ''Series/TheMiddleman'' (2008; as ABC Family) |
| 84 | * ''Monica the Medium'' (2015-16; as ABC Family) |
| 85 | * ''Series/MotherlandFortSalem'' (2020-2022) |
| 86 | * ''Series/MrBean'' (1998-99; as Fox Family) |
| 87 | * ''[[Series/TheAddamsFamily The New Addams Family]]'' (1998-99; as Fox Family) |
| 88 | * ''The New Original Amateur Hour'' (1992; as The Family Channel)[[note]]this Willard Scott-hosted TalentShow, filmed at [[Ride/UniversalStudios Universal Orlando]], is the most recent incarnation of ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Original_Amateur_Hour The Original Amateur Hour]]'', a radio staple which started during TheGreatDepression[[/note]] |
| 89 | * ''Next Step Reality: NYC'' (2015; as ABC Family) |
| 90 | * ''Series/TheNineLivesOfChloeKing'' (2011; as ABC Family) |
| 91 | * ''Ohh Nooo! Mr. Bill Presents'' (1998-99; as Fox Family)[[note]]a semi-SpinOff of ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' featuring the show's classic Mr. Bill sketches from the "Not Ready for Primetime Players" days, as well as several imported British sketches including Series/MrBean[[/note]] |
| 92 | * ''Series/{{Paranoia}}'' (2000; as Fox Family)[[note]]game show hosted by [[Series/PressYourLuck Peter]] [[Series/Wipeout1988 Tomarken]], involving viewer interactivity via phone, satellite and the internet against an in-studio player; the first episode had Peter slipping up and almost calling Fox Family the [[Creator/{{GSN}} Game Show Network]] before he caught himself[[/note]] |
| 93 | * ''Series/{{Party of Five|2020}}'' (2020) |
| 94 | * ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' |
| 95 | ** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder'' (reruns; as ABC Family) |
| 96 | ** ''Series/PowerRangersSPD'' (2005-06; as ABC Family) [[note]]First 21 episodes only. [[ChannelHop Episodes 22-38 were aired on]] Creator/{{Jetix}}[[/note]] |
| 97 | * ''WesternAnimation/PraisePetey'' (2023) |
| 98 | * ''Series/PrettyLittleLiars'' (2010-17; as ABC Family) |
| 99 | ** ''Series/{{Ravenswood}}'' (2013-14; as ABC Family) |
| 100 | ** ''The Perfectionists'' (2019) |
| 101 | * ''Recovery Road'' (2015-16) |
| 102 | * ''Ruby And The Rockits'' (2009; as ABC Family) |
| 103 | * ''Series/TheSecretLifeOfTheAmericanTeenager'' (2008-13) |
| 104 | * ''Series/{{Shadowhunters}}'' (2016-19) |
| 105 | * ''[[Series/ShopTilYouDrop The New Shop 'Til You Drop]]'' (1996-98; as The Family Channel)[[note]]previously ran on Creator/{{Lifetime}} from 1991-94, then on [[Creator/IonTelevision PAX]] from 2000-05[[/note]] |
| 106 | * ''Series/ShoppingSpree'' (1996-97; as The Family Channel) [[note]]Creator/JayWolpert's longest-running game show, clocking in at a season and a half![[/note]] |
| 107 | * ''Shuffle: The Interactive Game'' (1994; as The Family Channel)[[note]]Along with ''Boggle'' and ''Jumble'', one of three interactive game shows produced and hosted by [[Series/TicTacDough Wink]] [[Series/HighRollers Martindale]] and announced by [[Series/SupermarketSweep Randy West]][[/note]] |
| 108 | * '''''Series/SingleDrunkFemale''''' (2022-present) |
| 109 | * ''Series/{{Siren|2018}}'' (2018-20) |
| 110 | * ''Small Talk'' (1996-97; as The Family Channel) [[note]]The final American series produced by [[Series/SaleOfTheCentury Reg]] [[Series/{{Scrabble}} Grundy]] [[Series/HotStreak Productions]][[/note]] |
| 111 | * ''So Little Time'' (2001-02; as Fox Family) |
| 112 | * ''Startup U'' (2015; as ABC Family) |
| 113 | * ''Series/StateOfGrace'' (2001-02; as Fox Family) |
| 114 | * ''Stay'' |
| 115 | * ''Series/{{Stitchers}}'' (2015-17; as ABC Family) |
| 116 | * ''[[WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends Storytime with Thomas]]'' (1999-2000; as Fox Family) [[note]]this version of Thomas took on a ThreeShorts format, with ''Thomas and Friends'' as the A segment and ''WesternAnimation/MagicAdventuresOfMumfie'' as the B segment, along with musical interludes[[/note]] |
| 117 | * ''Series/SwitchedAtBirth'' (2011-15, 2017; as ABC Family) |
| 118 | * ''Thursday Night Baseball'' (2000-02; as Fox Family) [[note]]moved from Fox [=SportsNet=] and shared with FX (using FSN announcers), then moved to Creator/{{ESPN}} after Disney buyout; Division Series coverage included[[/note]] |
| 119 | * ''[[Series/ThatsMyDog That's My Dog!]]'' (1991-95; as The Family Channel) |
| 120 | * ''TabletopGame/TrivialPursuit'' (1993-94; as The Family Channel) [[note]]Also a Wink Martindale-produced and hosted series; aired as an hour-long pair of half-hour shows: ''The Interactive Game'', where 12 (later nine) players were whittled down to three; and the "classic game" (simply called ''Trivial Pursuit''), played by the aforementioned three finalists)[[/note]] |
| 121 | * ''Series/{{Twisted}}'' (2013-14; as ABC Family) |
| 122 | * '''''Unrelated''''' (TBA) |
| 123 | * ''[[Series/WaitTilYouHaveKids Wait 'til You Have Kids!!]]'' (1996-97; as The Family Channel) |
| 124 | * ''Series/TheWatchfulEye'' (2023) |
| 125 | * ''Wild Animal Games'' (1995-96; as The Family Channel) |
| 126 | * ''Series/{{Wildfire}}'' (2005-08; as ABC Family) |
| 127 | * ''Series/YoungAndHungry'' (2014-18; as ABC Family) |
| 128 | * ''Series/{{Zorro|1990}}'' (1990-93; as The Family Channel) |
| 129 | [[/index]] |
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/context.php
FollowingContext Creator / Freeform
Go To
- Show Spoilers
- Night Vision
- Sticky Header
- Wide Load
