Disney Channel's first broadcasting day aired on April 18, 1983. During the 1980s, the channel debuted a few programs that later became part of the cultural lexicon of sorts. Early in the network's existence, in 1984, the musically-oriented sitcom Kids Incorporated became popular. In early 1989, The Disney Channel revived one of Disney's early TV staples with The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.
In 1997, Disney Channel dropped the "The" in the network's name, and split the network into three programming blocks—Playhouse Disney, comprising shows aimed at preschoolers; Vault Disney, featuring classic Disney material such as Zorro, The Mickey Mouse Club, the Disney anthology television series, older television specials and features such as The Love Bug; and the most distinct one, running from afternoon to late evening, called Zoog Disney, aimed at preteens and young teenagers up to the age of 15.
From 2000 through 2003, ratings grew higher with such shows as Even Stevens, That's So Raven, Kim Possible, Lizzie McGuire and others. Lizzie McGuire became the network's banner show, and was the highest-rated program on the network. On January 20, 2006 "High School Musical" was aired on Disney Channel. It is one of the most successful Disney Channel Original Movies ever produced.
On March 24, 2006 "Hannah Montana", which is an American Emmy Award-nominated children's television series starring Miley Cyrus, debuted on Disney Channel. The popularity of the show has far exceeded the expectations of the studio and has become a worldwide sensation.
Disney XD was launched on February 13, 2009 as the successor to Toon Disney and effectively took over that network's channel space. On May 26, 2010 Disney-ABC Television Group announced the launch of a new 24-hour preschool-targeted digital cable and satellite channel called Disney Junior, which is set to premiere in February 2012.
More information about Disney Channel and how to land auditions for the networks shows can be found on the following website:
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