Disney Television Animation

Television animation production arm of Disney Channels WorldwideTemplate:SHORTDESC:Television animation production arm of Disney Channels Worldwide[[Category:**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/config' not found.**s with short description]]

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* Direct to video films

**Disney Television Animation** (**DTVA**) is an American animation studio that creates, develops and produces animated television series, films, specials and other projects. It is a division of the Disney Channels Worldwide, ultimately owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Established in 1984 during the reorganization and subsequent re-incorporation of The Walt Disney Company following the arrival of then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner, the entity was formerly known as the **Walt Disney Pictures Television Animation Group** before being shortened to **Walt Disney Television Animation** in 1987, and was shortened again in 2011 to Disney Television Animation.

## Background

The Walt Disney Company first ventured into the television industry as early as 1950, beginning with the one-hour Christmas special, *One Hour in Wonderland*.
This was followed by the 1951 Christmas special, *The Walt Disney Christmas Show*, the long-running (1954–2008) anthology series, *The Wonderful World of Disney* (which was Disney's first regular series as a whole), the children's variety show *The Mickey Mouse Club*, and the 1957-1959 adventure series, *Zorro*.
However, one element was missing from Disney's expansion into television: An original animated television series. Until the early 80's, the studio had never produced its own original animated shows in-house, because Walt Disney felt it was economically impossible. Nearly all pre-1985 TV animation was wrap-around segments made to bridge the gaps on existing theatrical material on *The Wonderful World of Disney*. Osamu Tezuka met Walt at the 1964 World's Fair, at which time Disney said he hoped to "make something just like" Tezuka's *Astro Boy* someday, but unfortunately nothing came of it.

## History

With the hiring of a new CEO for Disney Production in 1984, Michael Eisner, lead him to push to expand Disney into new areas thus the establishment of a television animation division that year. The cartoon would be shop to all markets: networks, Disney Channel and syndication. Eisner held a meeting at his home in which he brought up the concept of doing a series on Gummi bear as his kids like the candy. Originally, the staff was told that they could not use the principal Disney cartoon characters in the new shows.

The Walt Disney Television Animation department was started in November 1984 with Gary Krisel as president and Michael Webster as senior vice president.

This was considered a risky move, because animated TV series were generally considered low-budget investments for most of the history of TV cartoons up through the 1980s.
Many critics say that Disney's own animation studio had lost most of its luster during the period from Walt Disney's passing through the 1980s. However, the studio took a number of risks that paid off handsomely. The studio successfully gambled on the idea that a substantially larger investment into quality animation could be made back through both network television and over-the-air in syndication, as well as cable. The final result is a string of higher budgeted animated television productions which proved to be profitable ventures and raised the standard for the TV medium.

The first productions to make it to air from the studio arrived in 1985, with Eisner's concept fleshed out into *Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears*, joined by an original concept *The Wuzzles*, both which are based upon funny animal-based conceptions. A third series in a similar vein, *Fluppy Dogs*, was produced as a single hour-long TV movie pilot that aired on ABC on Thanksgiving 1986 and was loosely based a series of children's books and line of toys about a race of anthropomorphic pastel-colored dimension-hopping alien (fluppy) dogs. Dismal viewership ensured the project never made it to series.

In 1987, Disney finally unveiled the newest series yet in its cycle, and the first in their successful long-time line of syndicated animated shows, *DuckTales*. Though forbidden from using the star characters, minor characters such as Scrooge McDuck and Huey, Dewey and Louie were allowed, and Disney did concede to allow for a brief appearance by Donald Duck to establish the series, allowing them to adapt the Duck universe adventure serials by Carl Barks into animation. The show was successful enough to spawn a feature film, *DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp*, and two spin-off series: *Darkwing Duck* and *Quack Pack*. 1990 release *Treasure of the Lost Lamp* was the first movie from TV Animation's Disney MovieToon unit. Disney Television Animation hired a director of specials, Sharon Morrill, in 1993.

The success of DuckTales also paved the way for a new wave of high-quality animated TV series, including Disney's own *The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh* in 1988. Later, early that spring, *Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers* debuted on March 4, 1989, and was paired with *DuckTales* in an hour-long syndicated show through the 1989-1990 television season. In the 1990-1991 season, Disney expanded the idea even further, to create *The Disney Afternoon*, a two-hour long syndicated block of half-hour cartoons, which premiered much later on September 10, 1990. *DuckTales* was one of the early flagship cartoons in the block.

On August 24, 1994 with Jeffrey Katzenberg's resignation, Richard Frank became head of newly formed Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications (WDTT), which included WDTA, from units of The Walt Disney Studios. Morrill was in charge of the first Aladdin DTV film launching Disney Video Premiere/Direct to Video unit.

Three overseas Disney studios were set up to produce the company's animated television series. Disney Animation Australia was started in 1988. In 1989, the Brizzi brothers sold Brizzi Films to Disney Television Animation and was renamed Walt Disney Animation France. Also that year, Disney Animation Japan was started. Walt Disney Animation Canada was opened in January 1996 to tap Canada's animator pool and produce direct-to-video. As direct-to-video increased in importance, the overseas studios moved to making feature films.

WDTT chair Frank left Disney in March 1995. With Krisel expecting to be promoted to head up WDTT but passed over, Krisel left WDTA at the end of his contract in January 1996. At the time the Walt Disney Company merged with Capital Cities/ABC, TV Animation was a unit of Walt Disney Television within the Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications group (WDTT). With the retirement of WDTT group president Dennis Hightower in April 1996 and ongoing post-merger reorganization, the unit (along with its Disney TV parent) was transferred to the Walt Disney Studios. By April 1998, Movietoons was folded in with Disney Video Premiere films and network TV specials of Disney TV Animation as Morrill was promoted to executive vice president over her existing unit of Disney Video Premiere films, network TV specials and Movietoons. At the same time, Barry Blumberg was elevated to executive vice president for network and syndicated animated TV series. Both reported to Disney Television president Charles Hirschhorn.

In the second quarter of 2000, due to weak financial performance, Disney Animation Canada was closed. David Stainton took charge of the company as executive vice president in January 2000 then as president in February 2002 under Thomas Schumacher.

In January 2003, Disney initiated a reorganization of its theatrical and animation units to improve resource usage and continued focus on new characters and franchise development. TV Animation was transferred to Disney Channels Worldwide. In this reorganization, the Disney MovieToons/Disney Video Premieres unit was transferred from Television Animation to Feature Animation. While Stainton took over as President of Disney Feature Animation from Schumacher, while Blumberg returned to DTA as president.

In July 2019, Disney TV Animation signed 17 creators and animators to overall deals. This follows a trend in kids programming started by Netflix.

## Management

Template:Outdated
Disney Television Animation is headed by Eric Coleman, Senior Vice President, Original Series, he reports to Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide.Template:Citation needed

Prior presidents of Television Animation were Meredith Roberts and Barry Blumberg. Blumberg announced his resignation in November 2005.

Tom Ruzicka, now at Universal Animation Studios, was one of the original executives in charge of this fledgling group. Other animation executives that worked at Television Animation over the years were Barbara Ferro, Sharon Morrill, Bill Gross (former President of Jumbo Pictures, creators of *Doug*), Maia Mattise, Lenora Hume.

## Filmography

### Feature films

From 1990 to January 2003, Disney Television Animation had a division, Disney MovieToons/Disney Video Premiere, that produced direct-to-video and theatrical feature films. See that article for that unit's films.

### Short films

* *The Bug Hunt* (1996)
* *Dragon Friend* (1997)
* *Little Angelita* (1999)

### Rides & attractions

* *Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway* (2020)

## See also

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* Jetix Animation Concepts
* Disneytoon Studios
* Walt Disney Television
* Fox Television Animation
* List of Disney television series
* Walt Disney Animation Japan
* Cartoon Network Studios
* Nickelodeon Animation Studio

## References

* Cotter, Bill, *The Wonderful World of Disney Television: A Complete History*, California: Disney Editions, 1997, Template:ISBN

1. ↑ https://foursquare.com/v/disney-tva/4bf187a8a09076b034e229d4
2. ↑ https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-television-animation-celebrates-30-years-of-creativity/
3. ↑ "36th Annual Annie Nominations and Awards Recipients". *AnnieAwards.org*. January 30, 2009. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100815022758/http://annieawards.org/legacy36th.html. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Disney TV Animation Is 30 Years Old, and It's Going Strong", The Fresno Bee, *Valley News* (November 19, 2014). Retrieved on April 21, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
5. ↑ Template:Cite book
6. ↑ "Michael Webster", *Variety* (February 3, 2000). Retrieved on November 6, 2015.
7. ↑ Template:Cite book
8. ↑ Harrington, Richard (August 7, 1990). "'DuckTales: The Movie'". Retrieved on 27 February 2013.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Disney ups TV animation duo", *Variety* (April 27, 1998). Retrieved on September 16, 2015.
10. ↑ Weinraub, Bernard (August 25, 1994). "Chairman of Disney Studios Resigns". Retrieved on April 28, 2014.
11. ↑ Baisley, Sarah (June 16, 2003). "DisneyToon Studios Builds Slate Under New Name and Homes for Needy". Retrieved on 26 February 2013.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Hoffman, Ilene (November 1997). "Buena Vista Home Entertainment: A Very Lucky Accident Indeed". Retrieved on 9 March 2013.
13. ↑ "Disney to axe Sydney studio" (July 26, 2005). Retrieved on 12 March 2013.
14. ↑ "Paul & Gaëtan Brizzi". *aristregister.com*. ArtRegister Network. http://www.artistregister.com/brizzis.html. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
15. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (September 23, 2003). "Dis To Shut Japan Ani Unit". Retrieved on December 25, 2011.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Poirier, Agnes (February 15, 2000). "Disney pulls plug on Canadian animation studios". Retrieved on 23 March 2013.
17. ↑ "Krisel to depart Disney in January", *Broadcasting & Cable*, NewBay Media LLC (June 12, 1995). Retrieved on September 18, 2015.
18. ↑ "Fact Sheet: The Walt Disney Company". *Press Release*. The Walt Disney Company. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%2FFIRST+AND+FINAL+ADD+--+DISNEY,+CAPITAL+CITIES%2FABC+AGREE+TO+MERGE%2F-a017368916. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
19. ↑ "Roth, Iger Assume Expanded Responsibilities at the Walt Disney Company" (April 16, 1996). Retrieved on March 11, 2013.
20. ↑ "David Stainton Promoted To President, Walt Disney Television Animation", *Animation World Network*, AWN, Inc. (February 27, 2002). Retrieved on September 18, 2015.
21. ↑ Godfrey, Leigh (January 3, 2003). "Disney Streamlines Television Animation Division". Retrieved on February 27, 2013.
22. ↑ Baisley, Sarah (June 16, 2003). "DisneyToon Studios Builds Slate Under New Name and Homes for Needy". Retrieved on February 26, 2013.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "David Stainton Named President, Disney Feature Animation", *Animation World Network*, AWN, Inc. (January 3, 2003). Retrieved on 18 September 2015.
24. ↑ "Disney TV Animation signs 17 overall deals" (July 24, 2019). Retrieved on July 31, 2019.
25. ↑ "Disney TV Animation welcome Eric Coleman on board", *Animated Views*. Retrieved on February 19, 2011.
26. ↑ "Disney TV Animation Brings Eric Coleman On Board", *Animation Insider*. Retrieved on February 19, 2011.
27. ↑ "Barry Blumberg Resigns President's Post at Walt Disney TV Animation", *DAPs - The Unofficial Disney Fan Club*. Retrieved on February 19, 2011.
28. ↑ Template:Cite book
29. ↑ "Disney XD to Premiere "Kick Buttowski – Suburban Daredevil" on February 13th". *Crushable.com*. Crushable. http://crushable.com/entertainment/disney-xd-to-premiere-kick-buttowski-suburban-daredevil-on-february-13th/. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
30. ↑ Template:Cite press release
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Disney Channels Portfolio of Brands Shine in Annual Presentation to Advertisers". *DisneyChannelMedianet.com*. Disney Channel Medianet. http://www.disneychannelmedianet.com/dnr/2011/dc\_kids\_fam\_2011\_upfront.doc. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
32. ↑ "Production Has Begun on "Motorcity," an Animated Series Set in Futuristic Detroit, to Premiere Next Fall on Disney XD". *DisneyChannelMedianet.com*. Disney Channel Medianet. http://www.toonzone.net/forums/showthread.php?274700-New-Disney-XD-Animated-Series-quot-Motorcity-quot-Airs-Fall-2011-on-Disney-XD. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
33. ↑ "Disney Television Animation Reels in Second Season of Hit Comedy "Fish Hooks" and New Order for Comedy Series "Gravity Falls"". *DisneyChannelMedianet.com*. Disney Channel Medianet. http://www.disneychannelmedianet.com/DNR/2010/doc/dc\_new\_120810.doc. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
34. ↑ "Mickey Mouse: Disney Goes Old School With New Cartoon Shorts", *The Hollywood Reporter* (March 12, 2013).
35. ↑ BETTER GRAB SOME SUNGLASSES, THE FUTURE AROUND HERE IS BRIGHT, Disney Channel Medianet
36. ↑ Amidi, Amid (August 12, 2014). "First Look: Disney's 'Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero'". Cartoon Brew. http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/first-look-disneys-penn-zero-part-time-hero-102600.html. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
37. ↑ "Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero (Series)". *www.bcdb.com*, December 12, 2013
38. ↑ "Disney Tries Something New With ‘Star Vs. The Forces of Evil’: A Woman Creator". *Cartoon Brew*. http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/disney-tries-something-new-with-star-vs-the-forces-of-evil-a-woman-creator-102477.html. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
39. ↑ "Brothers Chaps Shorts Launch on XD Platforms", *Animation Magazine* (June 23, 2015). Retrieved on June 24, 2015.
40. ↑ Wolfe, Jennifer (June 23, 2014). "Disney Starts Production on New 'Pickle & Peanut' Animated Series". Animation World Network. http://www.awn.com/news/disney-starts-production-new-pickle-peanut-animated-series. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
41. ↑ http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/disney-announces-lion-guard-tv-movie/
42. ↑ "Disney Junior Launching ‘Sofia The First’ Spinoff ‘Elena Of Avalor’ In 2016". January 29, 2015. https://deadline.com/2015/01/sofia-the-first-spinoff-elena-of-avalor-disney-junior-animated-series-1201362375/. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
43. ↑ Beck, Jerry (July 17, 2014). "Disney Television Animation Announces a Trio of New Pilots and "Haunted Mansion" Special". Animation Scoop. http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/disney-television-animation-announces-a-trio-of-new-pilots-and-haunted-mansion-special-20140717. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
44. ↑ "Disney XD Sets Fall Debut for 'Future-Worm!'", *Animation Magazine* (February 24, 2015). Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
45. ↑ Beck, Jerry (April 8, 2015). "Disney Junior Jumpstarts "Mickey and the Roadster Racers" For 2017". Animation Scoop. http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/disney-junior-jumpstarts-mickey-and-the-roadster-racers-for-2017-20150408. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
46. ↑ "'Tangled' Animated TV Series Based on Film Coming to Disney Channel", *Variety* (June 3, 2015). Retrieved on June 4, 2015.
47. ↑ https://www.disneyabcpress.com/disneychannel/shows/the-owl-house/
48. ↑ "John Goodman, Billy Crystal to Reprise ‘Monsters Inc.’ Roles for Disney+ Series", *Variety* (April 9, 2019). Retrieved on April 9, 2019.
49. ↑ https://www.thetoyinsider.com/35-years-disney-tv-animation/
50. ↑ "Disney Channel Orders Animated Series ‘The Curse of Molly McGee’; Toon Studio Inks Several Overall Deals". *Deadline.com*. https://deadline.com/2019/07/the-curse-of-molly-mcgee-disney-channel-orders-animated-series-1202651423/. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 The first @Marvel & @DisneyTVA collaboration and from people on #BigHero6TheSeries & #KimPossible will make you want a Dinosaur for Pet/BFF!
52. ↑ https://www.thetoyinsider.com/35-years-disney-tv-animation/
53. ↑ https://deadline.com/2019/08/disney-channel-marvels-moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-animated-series-comic-books-laurence-fishburne-1202702831/
54. ↑ "Disney DTV Sequels: End of the Line" (in en), *ANIMATIONWorld*, Animation World Network (March 28, 2007). Retrieved on April 3, 2017.
55. ↑ "The Tigger Movie (2000)", *Sight & Sound*, British Film Institute (2000). Retrieved on September 8, 2015.
56. ↑ https://deadline.com/2019/04/disney-plus-new-series-marvel-winter-soldier-phineas-and-ferb-frozen-2-more-1202594421/
57. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1shE1bhnQB4
58. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdprDf7QWs0
59. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vzttWp5c2g

## External links

* Disney Television Animation on TwitterTemplate:WikidataCheck
* Disney Television Animation on Instagram
* Template:Imdb company
* Template:Bcdb

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