ABC Entertainment
Encyclopedia
ABC Entertainment is a network production company owned by ABC
(and in turn by Disney
) that was created in 1982.
The company was previously known as ABC Television Network Productions, ABC Circle Films, and ABC Productions. It is separate from ABC Studios, an arms-length sister company previously known as Touchstone Television.
ABC Entertainment is now largely dormant aside from its production of America's Funniest Home Videos
. Previously it produced shows such as America's Funniest People
and H.E.L.P.
Since Disney's acquisition of ABC in 1995, virtually all of Disney's adult entertainment programming, such as Desperate Housewives
and Grey's Anatomy
, has instead been produced by the larger ABC Studios unit.
Within the entertainment industry, "ABC Entertainment" is more often understood to mean the ABC network division responsible for ordering and scheduling (but not producing) entertainment programming. For example, Stephen McPherson's current position as president of ABC Entertainment refers to his responsibility for the network's primetime schedule, and not the aforementioned production company.
On January 22, 2009, Disney-ABC Television Group
said it would merge ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios into a new unit called ABC Entertainment Group. One week later, it was announced that the new group would reduce its workforce by 5%, and in mid-year 2009 ABC Entertainment announced a new corporate organizational structure.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
(and in turn by Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
) that was created in 1982.
The company was previously known as ABC Television Network Productions, ABC Circle Films, and ABC Productions. It is separate from ABC Studios, an arms-length sister company previously known as Touchstone Television.
ABC Entertainment is now largely dormant aside from its production of America's Funniest Home Videos
America's Funniest Home Videos
America's Funniest Home Videos is an American reality television program on ABC in which viewers are able to send in humorous homemade videotapes. The most common videos usually feature slapstick physical comedy arising from incidents, accidents and mishaps...
. Previously it produced shows such as America's Funniest People
America's Funniest People
America's Funniest People is an American reality series on ABC that debuted on May 1, 1990 as an hour-long special, and later as a weekly half-hour prime time series from September 8, 1990 to August 28, 1994. It was hosted by Dave Coulier and Arleen Sorkin from 1990 to 1992. Tawny Kitaen replaced...
and H.E.L.P.
H.E.L.P.
H.E.L.P. was a United States ABC television drama series which appeared for only one season, as a mid-season replacement in March 1990. John Mahoney starred as Chief Patrick Meacham of the New York City Fire Department...
Since Disney's acquisition of ABC in 1995, virtually all of Disney's adult entertainment programming, such as Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
and Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
, has instead been produced by the larger ABC Studios unit.
Within the entertainment industry, "ABC Entertainment" is more often understood to mean the ABC network division responsible for ordering and scheduling (but not producing) entertainment programming. For example, Stephen McPherson's current position as president of ABC Entertainment refers to his responsibility for the network's primetime schedule, and not the aforementioned production company.
On January 22, 2009, Disney-ABC Television Group
Disney-ABC Television Group
Disney-ABC Television Group manages all of The Walt Disney Company's worldwide entertainment and news television properties...
said it would merge ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios into a new unit called ABC Entertainment Group. One week later, it was announced that the new group would reduce its workforce by 5%, and in mid-year 2009 ABC Entertainment announced a new corporate organizational structure.