Editing ABC Signature (section)

=== Walt Disney Network Television/Touchstone Television ===
After the cancellation of the three prime-time series on CBS in 1983, Disney ventured back into primetime television.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1985-03-04|title=In Brief|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-03-04-OCR-Page-0112.pdf|access-date=2021-08-06}}</ref> The [[Touchstone Pictures#Touchstone Films|Touchstone Films]] banner was used for television by then-new Disney CEO [[Michael Eisner]] in the 1984–1985 television season, with the short lived western ''[[Wildside (American TV series)|Wildside]]''.<ref name="thr0">{{Cite news |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=February 9, 2007 |title=Touchstone TV now ABC TV Studio |work=The Hollywood Reporter |agency=AP |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/touchstone-tv-abc-tv-studio-129842 |access-date=March 18, 2015}}</ref> By 1985, Disney signed an agreement with sitcom producers [[Witt/Thomas Productions|Witt-Thomas-Harris Productions]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=1985-05-27|title=Disney-WTH deal|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-05-27-OCR-Page-0089.pdf|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref> In the next season, Disney's television production unit produced a hit in ''[[The Golden Girls]]'' using the Touchstone Films brand.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gendel |first=Morgan |date=January 9, 1986 |title=Disney Betting On New Series |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-09-ca-14438-story.html |access-date=April 7, 2017}}</ref> The Touchstone name would be used for more mature shows, while the Disney name would be used for more family friendly series.

By the 1986-1987 television season, Disney was producing two shows for the fall season, ''[[Sidekicks (TV series)|Sidekicks]]'', produced under the Walt Disney Network Television label; and ''[[The Ellen Burstyn Show]]'', produced under the Touchstone Television label. Both were cancelled after the fall 1986 season, to be followed up by two more shows produced by Touchstone, the ABC show ''[[Harry (American TV series)|Harry]]'', and the Fox show ''[[Down and Out in Beverly Hills (TV series)|Down and Out in Beverly Hills]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1986-09-15|title=Stay Tuned|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-09-15-OCR-Page-0086.pdf|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1986-05-12|title=Stay Tuned|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-05-12-OCR-Page-0040.pdf|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1986-05-12|title=Fox upbeat over 'Down and Out'|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-05-12-OCR-Page-0040.pdf|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref> In 1987, Randy Reiss was named president of both television units.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1987-08-03|title=In Brief|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-08-03-OCR-Page-0096.pdf|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref> In the fall of 1987, Disney sold its third television drama, ''[[The Oldest Rookie]]'', to CBS.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1987-05-25|title=Prime time production led by Lorimar|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-05-25-OCR-Page-0060.pdf|access-date=2021-08-15}}</ref> In late 1988, after Witt/Thomas/Harris pulled out of the [[20th Television|TeleVentures]] production unit (they were co-founders along with [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]] and [[Stephen J. Cannell|Stephen J. Cannell Productions]]), Disney began selling, marketing and distributing Witt/Thomas programs exclusively.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1990-04-09|title=Action-Packed Expansion|work=[[Norman Lear|Channels of Communication]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-Channels-IDX/IDX/Channels-1990-04-OCR-Page-0032.pdf|access-date=2021-08-16}}</ref> It was renewed two years later in 1990; the duo left to sign with rival [[Warner Bros. Television Studios|Warner Bros. Television]] in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1990-02-25|title=Disney's Television Quest : Network prime-time success still eludes the giant that's enjoyed movie hits and profits at its theme parks|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-25-ca-2207-story.html|access-date=2021-08-16|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1992-03-12|title=Disney Lets Pact With TV Hit-Maker Witt Thomas Harris Go to Warner|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-12-fi-5401-story.html|access-date=2021-08-16|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

On April 18, 1989, Walt Disney Network Television and Touchstone Television were grouped together under [[Garth Ancier]], the then-president of network television for Walt Disney Studios.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haitman |first=Diane |date=March 30, 1989 |title=Disney TV Chief Heads Back to Mainstream |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-30-ca-1044-story.html |access-date=June 4, 2014}}</ref> The following week, Disney struck development deals with upstart Wind Dancer Productions (headed by ''[[Roseanne]]'' alumnus [[Matt Williams (TV producer)|Matt Williams]]), and KTMB Productions (backed by ''[[The Golden Girls]]'' writers Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman, [[Barry Fanaro]] and [[Mort Nathan]]).<ref>{{Cite news|date=1989-05-01|title=Disney development deals|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/89-OCR/BC-1989-05-01-OCR-Page-0112.pdf|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref> The first projects were Wind Dancer's ''[[Carol & Company]]'' and KTMB's ''[[The Fanelli Boys]]'', both of which aired on NBC.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1989-12-18|title=NBC makes 'Grand' commitment to Carsey-Werner|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/89-OCR/BC-1989-12-18-OCR-Page-0056.pdf|access-date=2021-08-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1990-06-18|title=The ready for prime time players|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/90-OCR/BC-1990-06-18-OCR-Page-0037.pdf|access-date=2021-08-15}}</ref> That same year, Disney signed a long-term contract with producer [[Michael Jacobs (producer)|Michael Jacobs]] and his [[Michael Jacobs Productions|production company]]. Among the first projects under the collaboration was ''[[Singer & Sons]]'', for NBC in 1990. The company also had a contract with producer [[Terry Louise Fisher]], after she quit ''[[L.A. Law]]'' due to disputes with co-creator [[Steven Bochco]] and studio [[20th Television]], then-known as 20th Century Fox Television.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1990-02-25|title=Disney's Television Quest : Network prime-time success still eludes the giant that's enjoyed movie hits and profits at its theme parks|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-25-ca-2207-story.html|access-date=2021-08-15|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> Later that year, Disney signed a deal with [[Neal Marlens]] and [[Carol Black (filmmaker)|Carol Black]], creators of ''[[The Wonder Years]]'', to produce three series for ABC.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1990-11-26|title=The Wonder Deal|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/90-OCR/BC-1990-11-26-OCR-Page-0046.pdf|access-date=2021-08-16}}</ref>

With difficulties of selling in the off-network syndicated market, Disney television executives decided in late September 1990 that ''[[Hull High]]'', then on NBC, or a potential NBC mid-season replacement in ''Disney Action-Adventure Hour'', would be its last hour-long drama. ''High''{{'}}s pilot cost the company $4.5 million.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hours Dramas: Down But Not Out? |page=38 |work=Broadcasting |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1990/BC-1990-10-01.pdf |access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> The company also had another drama in collaboration with [[Stephen J. Cannell]], ''[[The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage]]'', which was produced under the Walt Disney Network Television label.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1991-03-25|title=1991-92 network development slates|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/91-OCR/BC-1991-03-25-OCR-Page-0065.pdf|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1991-02-18|title=Fall season under way for networks|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/91-OCR/BC-1991-02-18-OCR-Page-0042.pdf|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref> In 1991, Disney collaborated with Michael Jacobs and [[The Jim Henson Company|Jim Henson Productions]] on a primetime sitcom with puppets by [[Jim Henson's Creature Shop]], ''[[Dinosaurs (TV series)|Dinosaurs]]'', which debuted on ABC.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1991-04-01|title=In Brief|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/91-OCR/BC-1991-04-01-OCR-Page-0088.pdf|access-date=2021-08-16}}</ref> In 1992, the Touchstone Television label moved into producing longer forms for television, focusing on more adult-oriented fare with its first telefilm for CBS about Edna Buchanan, a Miami Herald crime reporter who won a Pulitzer Prize.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 22, 1992 |title=Disney's Touchstone Unit to Produce Films for TV |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-22-fi-2566-story.html |access-date=June 4, 2014}}</ref> The company would eventually sign a deal with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] to develop 5 television movies for the 1993–94 and 1994-95 television seasons.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1992-12-14|title=Disney expands into long-form|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/92-OCR/BC-1992-12-14-OCR-Page-0042.pdf|access-date=2021-11-01}}</ref>

In 1992, KTMB Productions left Disney for Paramount. Eventually the team split into two separate production companies, one led by Speer and Grossman, the other led by Fanaro and Nathan.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1992-06-29|title=In Brief|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/92-OCR/BC-1992-06-29-OCR-Page-0061.pdf|access-date=2021-08-16}}</ref> Within that same year, Wind Dancer Productions had received an exclusive deal with the ABC television network, with Disney serving as distributor of their series.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1992-12-07|title="Home" is where the three-year commitment is|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/92-OCR/BC-1992-12-07-OCR-Page-0030.pdf|access-date=2021-08-16}}</ref> And also that year, Michael Jacobs had renewed his deal with the studio.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1992-07-13|title=Paramount and Disney get creattive|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/92-OCR/BC-1992-07-13-OCR-Page-0011.pdf|access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref> Also in May of that year, the company signed a deal with Grant/Tribune Productions, a joint venture between ex-CBS broadcaster [[Bud Grant (broadcaster)|Bud Grant]] and [[Tribune Broadcasting]] (who was subsequently renamed to Bud Grant Productions after Tribune pulled out)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Variety |date=1993-02-24 |title=Grant-Tribune split official |url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/news/grant-tribune-split-official-104250/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> to distribute their programming, with Cutters the only one that came out of the deal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacMINN |first=ALEENE |date=1992-05-05 |title=TELEVISION - May 5, 1992 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-05-ca-1349-story.html |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1993, Disney had reached a deal with comedian [[Sinbad (comedian)|Sinbad]] and his David & Golitah Productions company for a film and television deal.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Eller|first1=Claudia|last2=Lowry|first2=Brian|date=1993-02-03|title=Sinbad sailing to Disney|url=https://variety.com/1993/film/news/sinbad-sailing-to-disney-103608/|access-date=2021-08-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>

On August 24, 1994, with [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]]'s resignation, [[Richard H. Frank|Richard Frank]] became head of [[Disney General Entertainment Content#Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications|Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications]], a new group taking in Touchstone Television and other television units of the Disney studios.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=August 25, 1994 |title=Chairman of Disney Studios Resigns |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/25/business/chairman-of-disney-studios-resigns.html |access-date=April 28, 2014 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1995, they returned to producing dramas with ''[[Nowhere Man (American TV series)|Nowhere Man]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McCarthy|first=John P.|date=1995-08-28|title=Nowhere Man|url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/reviews/nowhere-man-1200442357/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> That same year, Wind Dancer was signed to a new deal with Disney, following the expiration of their contract with ABC.<ref>{{Cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=1995-03-06|title=Disney Braces With Wind Dancer Trio|url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/disney-braces-with-wind-dancer-trio-99124336/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 1996, with the ongoing post-Disney-CC/ABC merger and the retirement of its president, Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications' divisions were reassigned to other groups, with Walt Disney Television and Touchstone Television transferred to [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|The Walt Disney Studios]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 1996 |title=Roth, Iger Assume Expanded Responsibilities at the Walt Disney Company |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROTH%2c+IGER+ASSUME+EXPANDED+RESPONSIBILITIES+AT+THE+WALT+DISNEY+COMPANY-a018198127 |access-date=March 11, 2013 |publisher=PR Newswire |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063707/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROTH,+IGER+ASSUME+EXPANDED+RESPONSIBILITIES+AT+THE+WALT+DISNEY+COMPANY-a018198127 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1997, Disney struck a deal with [[Imagine Entertainment]] to launch a television venture.<ref>{{Cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=1997-02-11|title=Disney TV deal: Imagine that|url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/disney-tv-deal-imagine-that-1117435642/|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> On November 1, 1997, David Neuman assumed the presidency of Touchstone Television while retaining his post as president of Walt Disney Network Television.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 1, 1997 |title=People in new jobs |work=Kidscreen |publisher=Brunico Communications |url=http://kidscreen.com/1997/11/01/19948-19971101/ |access-date=July 30, 2019}}</ref> In March 1998, Touchstone Television was placed under Buena Vista Television Productions, a newly formed group under chairman [[Lloyd Braun]], along with Walt Disney Network Television.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hofmeister |first=Sallie |date=March 3, 1998 |title=Disney Taps Lloyd Braun to Head Up Network TV |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-03-fi-24815-story.html |access-date=October 5, 2016}}</ref> In June 1998, former ABC chief [[Greer Shephard]] and ''[[NYPD Blue]]'' director [[Michael M. Robin]] launched a production company with an exclusive agreement at the studio.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hontz|first=Jenny|date=1998-07-02|title=Shephard, Robin at BV TV|url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/shephard-robin-at-bv-tv-1117478113/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> In May 1999, [[J. J. Abrams|J.J. Abrams]], who created ''[[Felicity (TV series)|Felicity]]'' at that time, signed a film and television deal with the studio.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=1999-05-27|title=Abrams, Disney ink deal|url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/abrams-disney-ink-deal-1117502552/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> By June 1999, Neuman left for the Digital Entertainment Network.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richtel |first=Matt |date=June 24, 1999 |title=Youthful Web Network Has a Modest Goal: Replacing TV |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/24/technology/youthful-web-network-has-a-modest-goal-replacing-tv.html |access-date=July 30, 2019}}</ref> In 1999, after Disney's ''[[Smart Guy]]'' was cancelled, all Disney shows for primetime would be produced under the Touchstone Television label.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1999-05-17|title=NBC Makes Some Serious Changes|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-17-ca-37991-story.html|access-date=2021-08-08|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>