ABC Kids (TV programming block)

ABC Kids Logo

ABC Kids was a children's television programming block that aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). It was originally known as Disney's One Saturday Morning until its rebranding in 2002. The block featured a variety of animated and live-action series produced by Disney Channel and other production companies. ABC Kids was targeted at children aged between 6 and 12 years old, offering educational and entertaining content that adhered to the Federal Communications Commission's Educational and Informational (E/I) requirements.

History

ABC Kids was launched in September 2002, replacing Disney's One Saturday Morning. This rebranding was part of a strategy to capitalize on the Disney brand following the acquisition of ABC by The Walt Disney Company in 1996. The block's programming consisted mainly of series that were popular on Disney Channel, including shows like Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, and Kim Possible. It also featured other non-Disney series that were deemed suitable for the block's target audience.

In addition to its weekend morning lineup, ABC Kids occasionally aired special programming and movie presentations. These were often tied to holidays or significant events and featured popular Disney movies or special episodes of the block's regular series.

Programming

The programming on ABC Kids was designed to be both entertaining and educational, with shows often incorporating lessons on friendship, family, and moral values. The block complied with the FCC's E/I requirements by including educational content within its programming, which was indicated by an E/I symbol displayed during the shows.

Some of the notable shows that aired on ABC Kids include:

• Lizzie McGuire – A live-action series following the life of a middle school girl, dealing with typical adolescent issues.
• That's So Raven – A live-action comedy about a teenager with psychic abilities.
• Kim Possible – An animated series about a high school girl who leads a double life as a secret agent.
• Recess – An animated series focusing on the lives of six elementary school students and their adventures during recess.

Decline and End

The popularity of ABC Kids began to wane in the late 2000s, as children's viewing habits shifted towards cable television and digital platforms. The block struggled to compete with the more diverse and accessible content available on cable channels like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, as well as the rising popularity of online streaming services.

In August 2011, ABC announced that the ABC Kids block would be discontinued. It was replaced by Litton's Weekend Adventure, a block of programming that also focused on educational content but was produced by Litton Entertainment, marking the end of ABC's in-house children's programming.

Legacy

Despite its end, ABC Kids left a lasting impact on a generation of viewers. It is remembered fondly for its mix of entertaining and educational content, as well as for being a staple of Saturday morning television for nearly a decade. The block's programming contributed to the popularity of several Disney Channel series, helping to establish them as iconic shows of the 2000s.

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