Disney has quietly retired one of its more confusingly named divisions. Disney Branded Television, the unit responsible for children’s and family programming across Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., and digital platforms, is officially being renamed Disney Kids and Family.
Why the Change?
The rebrand was announced on June 15, 2026, via a memo sent to creative partners by Debra OConnell, Chairman of Disney Entertainment Television, and Ayo Davis, President of the division. The memo was first reported by Deadline. OConnell initiated the review after being elevated to her current role in March 2026, during the leadership transition that saw Josh D’Amaro named CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
The new name is intended to do something the old one never quite managed: clearly communicate what the division actually does. The “Branded Television” label, which dated only to 2020, caused genuine confusion inside and outside the company, since it didn’t directly signal a focus on kids or families. Disney Kids and Family fixes that immediately.
What the Division Oversees
Despite the name change, the division’s mission stays the same. Disney Kids and Family is responsible for the full range of child-focused and family-friendly content across Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney XD, and digital platforms including YouTube. Its track record includes beloved ongoing series, holiday specials, made-for-TV movie franchises, and animated content produced through Disney Television Animation.
The division was previously known as Disney Channels Worldwide before it was reorganized and renamed Disney Branded Television in 2020 under then-President Gary Marsh. Ayo Davis succeeded Marsh in 2021 and continues to lead the unit under the new name.
A Message to Creative Partners
In their memo to the creative community, OConnell and Davis framed the rebrand as a clarification rather than a reinvention. The pair emphasized that the division’s commitment to storytelling remains unchanged, and expressed gratitude for the partnerships built under the Disney Branded Television banner. The new name is designed to make the division’s identity immediately legible to writers, producers, and studios looking to collaborate.
For more on Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends, one of the animated series produced under the division, check out our coverage of Season 5’s July 13 premiere on Disney Junior.
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