ABC Television - The rise of a network
ABC Television (who’s logo is copyright protected), also known as the American Broadcasting Company, is a TV and radio network in the United States which is now owned by the Walt Disney Company. New York City is the home to its corporate headquarters and the programming offices are located in Burbank, California, right next to the Walt Disney Studios and the Walt Disney Company corporate headquarters.
In the 1940’s, Edward Noble, who was also the owner of Life Savers candy was interested in purchasing the network for a selling price of $8 million. ABC Television was known as “The Blue Network” until it was newly named the American Broadcasting Company. ABC Television finally went on the air on April 19, 1948. Leonard Goldenson, who at the time was the head of United Paramount Theaters, was searching for investment opportunities and he became very interested in ABC Television. He was able to acquire the network on February 9. 1953 and they officially merged. However, this merger didn’t last very long and by 1956, the Paramount network was shut down.
In the 1960’s, ABC Television was really beginning to popularize in new markets such as Seattle, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee and it was during this time that they officially revised their corporate name to American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
ABC Television knew that their success wasn’t anywhere near the end when they introduced the public to shows such as Wide World of Sports and Monday Night Football. Continuing in the 1960’s, heavily rated shows were created such as My Three Sons, That Girl, Bewitched and the Brady Bunch. Their dominance over the other network carried up into the 1980’s with news of a new show that was about to air, The Love Boat.
The Walt Disney Company acquired ABC Television in 1996. It became popular again and grabbed the attention of Americans with their hit TV game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in 1999. In 2004, shows such as Lost and Desperate Housewives really proved to be extremely popular and great entertainment among people and currently make ABC Television the second-most top watched network in the United States.
ABC Television also aires programming aimed towards children which dates back to the 1970’s with School House Rock, to Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens which made their debut in 2001. They currently work in conjunction with the Disney Channel or Toon Disney now.