Friday, November 28, 2008

Toon Disney??


Ok, so maybe this belongs over on the rant blog, but it's not political in nature. It's Disney in nature.


How did Toon Disney get it's name??


According to Wikepedia: "Toon Disney is a 24-hour American cable television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company that mostly airs children's animated television series. The network debuted April 18, 1998 (the date may have been chosen to commemorate Disney Channel's 15th anniversary). A spin-off of Disney Channel, Toon Disney shows children's cartoons 24 hours a day (except for minimal live action programming)..."


I take exception to that description. As I'm scrolling through the channels, trying to figure out what Christmas movie to have on in the background while decorating the Christmas tree, I stumble across "Toon" Disney. I notice...it's not very "toonish." Here is the upcoming schedule: Right now is Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl (Live Action Movie), from 7 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. tomorrow it's Suite Life of Zach and Cody (Live Action Series), yes 13 hours straight. At 8:00 a.m. we get two hours of Pocahontas II, followed by American Dragon Jake Long (Animated Series). Then at 10:30 it's 4 more hours of Zach and Cody. A brief reprieve with Emperor's New Groove (Animated Movie), then right back into Zach and Cody for 15 hours!!!!


So my question is...when did Toon Disney become the Zach and Cody Channel?? Now I understand that sometimes you get these marathons in order to promote a particular show, but this is a bit much.


Overall, I have always been unimpressed with the direction the Disney Corporation has gone with Toon Disney. I understand that I'm not their target audience, but I could be. They claim to be after the 2-11 year old's with a 7-13 year old audience in the evening, but I don't know a lot of either age category that is watching after 9:00 or 10:00 at night. Why not show some old school cartoons from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. I'm sure people smarter than me have done tons of market research and found that Oban Star Racers, Shinzo, and Gargoyles plays to a wider audience during these hours, but it's just painful. To think that a channel exists, supposedly dedicated to Disney Animation, and you can't find any of what put them on the map...it's depressing.


Am I alone on this one???

7 comments:

Matt said...

No... I've stopped watching Disney Channel all together. And until Disney starts putting regular Disney programing back on Disney and Toon Disney, I won't ever watch it.

Oh... the Ranting blog is for any kind of rant that you feel like ranting about. It doesn't have to be political.

Chris said...

Haven't really thought about it, actually... You guys give me so much insight on these topics :-)

Chris said...

What they NEED is an ALL Phineas and Ferb Channel...My daughter and I are huge fans! Perry the Platypus rocks!

Jeff W said...

Remember when MTV & VH1 actually played videos?

MikeF. said...

How have you been Heath? And I can not stand toon disney.

MikeF. said...

Heath!!!!

sambycat said...

here here my brother!