Kids' Channel a Star In Disney Firmament

摘要

When Disney Channel Entertainment President Rich Ross got a call from the White House recently asking if teen-aged pop star Raven would come and sing the National Anthem, it was, in his words, "One of those moments when you know it is all working very well." And it is. While ABC rebuilds, ABC Family sputters, and ESPN draws operator complaints the Disney Channel is red-hot. It currently reigns as the top-rated channel in key tween demos, ages 6-11 and 9-14, surpassing powerhouses Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. In prime time, Disney routinely ranks in the top 5 among all cable networks in household ratings. That means kids and their parents are tuning in. Raven, star of That's So Raven and of an upcoming Disney theatrical film, All American Girl, is one of the reasons for the chan- nel's success, along with Disney series like Lizzie McGuire and Kim Possible. They are also very big business for Disney Channel, its 21 international channels and all of The Walt Disney Co.