Has the Disney Channel Lost its touch?

[C-Otter]

I kinda feel nowadays or a few years ago the Disney channel strayed away from what made it so great. All I see now are shows like Hannah Montana and Suite Life of Zach and Cody. I know that there is a new Generation of disney channel watchers and I'm glad to see that Highschool Musical and Hannah Montana is a huge hit for Disney, but what about people like me who are not into it? It would be nice to see a balance of classics and new shows, the Disney Channel doesn't even play animated movies like it used to like The Enchanted Forest, Rover Dangerfield, Fern Gully, Felix the Cat: The Movie. (At least not that i've seen) I've looked at the schedule and I don't even reconize the Disney Channel anymore, I don't even see the Ink and Paint Club on anymore I was just wondering if anybody felt the same and what your opinion is on this. I had such great memories of watching the Disney channel when my family moved in 95 and the first time watching cable, and i'm sure there are people that feel the same way. The Golden Three cable channels that I watched were Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney Channel. Also I saw on youtube somebody posted the the Music videos that the Disney Channel used to play and it brought back great memories

 

[1rockinmamato2]

Well, I don't even recognize some of the names of the shows you listed.

Maybe they need a Disney Classics Channel? Because I know there would be a whole lotta kids upset if they didn't have their constant stream of Hannah Montana and Suite Life.

Can't please all the people all the time.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I miss it too!

It used to DTV where they had a few music videos. I remember that they used to have programming for all ages.

Dumbo's Circus and Winnie the Pooh was on in the morning.

Alice in Wonderland and of course the New Mickey Mouse Club.

They actually had actors working.

Now its all computerized or repeats of the same shows over and over. They don't show the classic movies like they used to or when Halloween was on the different shows for that season.

I miss it alot, TV used to be fun, now its all reality or just repeat the same shows over and over. I know they are making money but people are getting tired of it.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I miss the older Disney Channel. I use to watch all the classic cartoons. I know kids change and so do cartoons and shows, but come on, keep some of the classics!

 

[Family Fun Mom]

I love the idea of a Disney Classics channel. That would be AWESOME! Old Mickey Mouse cartoons are my absolute favorite.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I remember on St. Patrick's Day they had the theme.

They always showed Darby O'gill and the Little People etc.

It was very charming and nice.

Now it doesn't even matter.

They had specials etc, but not anymore.

I wish they would bring back the Mickey Mouse Club b/c for the next generation what do they have you know?

Who talks about the issues or showcase the new music, movies etc?

It would be a great platform if they did.

 

[mmcguire]

ITA - If we can have VH1 Classic, ESPN Classic, TVLand and Boomerang, why NOT a Disney Classic channel? I think it would be a smash!

 

[java]

I have to admit to watching I Carly. It is kind of funny and my dd loves it. I think there is already a classics Disney channel.

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, this is what the Toon Disney channel was supposed to be, but it's losing money, and will be changing formats in February to something called Disney XD, which will be squarely aimed at the tween boys' market. (Lots of Jetix things and skateboarding.)

The late-night Vault Disney used to be my favorite DC program, but they got rid of that ages ago.

The problem with vintage in the age of the ubiquitous DVD is that people buy those, and once they are sold there is no more money to be made off them. I own almost the entire "film can" series of Disney Classics.

 

[Geoff_M]

The Disney Channel has morphed in to TweenerTV and I can't stand it. Their sit-coms are awful... "cute" kids don't make up for really bad acting, lame scripts, and the most overuse of laugh tracks in TV history.

 

[Micca]

The Disney Channel has found its niche and has cornered the tween market with it. The are making BEAUCOUP bucks off the programs/music/merch/live performances like never before.

Disney markets their classic material via DVD. Maybe they could do something on-line?

 

[daannzzz]

But if they show the old movies on the Disney Channel then you won't buy them on DVD!!!!

 

[MomofKatie]

I have to admit to watching I Carly. It is kind of funny and my dd loves it. I think there is already a classics Disney channel.

iCarly is on Nickelodeon. We like to watch ToonDisney on weekends, when they show some of the older Disney cartoons, like the Weekenders and House of Mouse. I have a tween girl who is the target demo for TDC, but she doesn't like any of the current sitcoms (Hannah Montana, Suite Life, etc). Right now, the only new show on Disney Channel she really likes is Phineas & Ferb.

 

[Geoff_M]

The Disney Channel has found its niche and has cornered the tween market with it. The are making BEAUCOUP bucks off the programs/music/merch/live performances like never before.

Disney markets their classic material via DVD. Maybe they could do something on-line?

But there's a bit of a problem with their business model. It appears that they've been attempting to "follow" their demographic as they've gotten older at the expense of younger viewers. They started with cartoons when the kids were younger and then migrated as they've aged into Tweener programming. They're going to stretch it to a breaking point. So are the Tweeners going to be watching the DC when they're 18-19?

 

[VickiVM]

The Disney Channel has morphed in to TweenerTV and I can't stand it. Their sit-coms are awful... "cute" kids don't make up for really bad acting, lame scripts, and the most overuse of laugh tracks in TV history.

That's exactly how me and my husband feel. Unfortunately we have 12 and 10 year old daughters who can't take their eyes of of this mindless stuff...and the tv in their game room is broken

The sad thing is that these tweeners on Disney can be just as obnoxious and disrespectful as the other shows I don't allow them to watch. I'm having trouble with my 12 year old speaking to me like her peer instead of her mom.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

If there were a Disney Classics Channel, you can bet our cable provider wouldn't carry it. They don't even OFFER Boomerang or ToonDisney as a choice. Instead..we have more sports channels (ESPN, Golf, etc) that I never even watch. I would gladly trade ESPN for Boomerang, ToonDisney and a Disney Classics channel.

 

[Violet Crayon]

Before falling asleep last night DBF and I were discussing this very subject.

I loved the (live action) series they used to play:
-Ocean Girl
-Spellbinder
-Ready or Not
-The Torkelsons/Almost Home
-Flash Forward
-Babysitter's Club

It was interesting to see some of the shows brought over from other countries.

And Lizzie McGuire was the last great show, for me.

 

[sm4987]

Yup, I miss the Disney channel. Classic disney would be a welcomed and loved change to me! My kids don't even watch it really anymore. They only watch Waverly place and nothing else.

 

[mom2boys77]

I really miss Lizzie. My boys are 13 and 6 and even they are sick of the Disney Channel. My 13 year old was just talking about the stuff he wishes his brother would've gotten to see like PBandJ Otter and Rolie Polie and Out of the Box. Now it's Hannah and Suite Life ALL THE TIME.

Before falling asleep last night DBF and I were discussing this very subject.

I loved the (live action) series they used to play:
-Ocean Girl
-Spellbinder
-Ready or Not
-The Torkelsons/Almost Home
-Flash Forward
-Babysitter's Club

It was interesting to see some of the shows brought over from other countries.

And Lizzie McGuire was the last great show, for me.

 

[TheGoofster]

I watch the Disney channel for the occasional movies they play. Most of the rest of the stuff is just horrid (as far as I'm concerned). I suppose that if my kids were still infants there might be some good stuff to watch, but as it is now I just don't care for most of it.
One thing that I've always wanted to see on the Disney channel is a show dedicated to the theme parks. Have like a half hour show everyday featuring a different aspect of the various theme parks. Whether it be focusing on a specific ride, or a land, or even an entire park, but have something that shows Disney's parks. Kind of like what they have at the Disney hotels, but just in a smaller dose (like 30 mintues to an hour). I would think that it would be a great way for Disney to get kids excited about going.