By Kayla DeKraker
Disney Branded Television has changed its name to “Disney Kids & Family.”
The big change comes after Debra OConnell was promoted to Chairman of Disney Entertainment and Television this past spring. The goal is to better describe the combination of Disney Jr., Disney+ and Disney Channel.
“Our new name better reflects the creativity, ambition and storytelling we’re known for, while bringing greater clarity to the creative community about who we are and what we create,” said OConnel and Ayo Davis. “While our name is changing, our commitment to great storytelling – and to all of you – remains exactly the same.”
Deadline noted that “Disney Branded Television was responsible for three of the top five preschool streaming shows of 2025: BLUEY (#1), U.S.’s most-watched streaming series for the past two years with more than 193 billion minutes viewed on Disney+ to date per Nielsen; SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS (#3); and MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE (#5).”
In a letter addressed to “our creative partners,” Davis and OConnel expressed their confidence in the change.
“Together, we have built enduring franchises beloved by kids and families around the world,” they said. “Our new name better reflects the creativity, ambition and storytelling we’re known for, while bringing greater clarity to the creative community about who we are and what we create.”
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The duo concluded by emphasizing that their “commitment to great storytelling – and to all of you” will stay the same.
Disney currently is the second most watched streamer behind Netflix, not including YouTube which dominates them all by a long shot. Disney accounts for 5.3% of streaming viewership, according to Nielsen’s “The Gauge.”
The name change does better align with much of Disney’s kids’ content, including BLUEY which is not technically a Disney brand but finds its American home on Disney+. In fact, the preschool series has become such a hit for Disney that the beloved pup is even getting a stage production, is featured on the Disney Cruise line and recently debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.
“There’s a natural synergy between BLUEY and Disney,” Davis said. “Disney’s unrivalled ecosystem gives us the ability to seamlessly extend worlds that audiences love.”
“BLUEY has always been about sparking joy and togetherness, and this collaboration creates delightful and unique moments for families to step right into the heart of the BLUEY universe,” added Shelley Macintyre, CEO BBC Studios Brands and Licensing.
The “Disney Branded Television” title has only been official since 2020. Before that, the company was called Disney Channels Worldwide and Disney Channel Inc. The new name is on par with Disney’s ever evolving growth.
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