Fox Family Channel debuted in August 1998, after the Family Channel was sold to Fox Kids Worldwide. The network was aiming at a dual demographic: kids during the day, and families at night. The network stated they were focusing on younger families, more into pop culture. The network started airing more child-friendly programming, such as cartoons for 8 hours a day as well as Major League Baseball games. However by 2000, Fox Family was looking to add to their adult demographic and began trying out a new direction, featuring original and acquired programming aimed at an older audience but also keeping their family-orientated format.
By July 2001, the Fox Family Channel was sold to The Walt Disney Company and in November of that same year the name of the channel was changed to ABC Family. With this change in ownership, children's programming was effectively removed from the network by 2006. ABC Family now runs original drama and comedy series aimed at teenagers and young adults, sitcoms we love from the 90s to early 2000s, and movies that target various audiences such as families and adults.
The goal of a dual demographic has been sustained since the launch of the network, and is definitely still hitting the mark with new generations today.
