ABC Family to rebrand as ABCF

[ChaseW]

According to SitcomsOnline.com it looks as though that ABC Family will rebrand as ABCF sometime this fall. http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2010/08/abc-family-fall-2010-schedule-has-still.html

 

[JayR]

According to SitcomsOnline.com it looks as though that ABC Family will rebrand as ABCF sometime this fall.

Isn't there a clause in the contract that requires the network to use Family as part of the branding?

 

[RicoGregg]

They should rename themselves as ABD. Then their slogan could be "Long time, no C." ;D

 

[BRNout]

I was going to suggest ABC-DEF......the alpha network!

 

[KML0224]

What about S-T-U-P-I-D? Is that taken?

 

[DToTheJ]

I was going to suggest ABC-DEF......the alpha network!

Incidentally, I believe Chattanooga's ABC affiliate is WDEF. You know, just to make things even more confusing... Actually, now that I think about it, I think WDEF is CBS and another channel is ABC. But I think they used to be ABC.

 

[ChaseW]

Isn't there a clause in the contract that requires the network to use Family as part of the branding?

Seems like I've heard that there is. Another thing too is if they do in fact rebrand to ABCF there's probably going to be a problem because The American Breast Cancer Foundation is currently using the ABCF acronym.

 

[azumanga]

I think WDEF is CBS and another channel is ABC. But I think they used to be ABC.

WDEF always was (I think) a CBS affiliate -- ABC in Chattanooga is WTVC.

 

[shackleford]

I was going to suggest ABC-DEF......the alpha network!

Incidentally, I believe Chattanooga's ABC affiliate is WDEF. You know, just to make things even more confusing... Actually, now that I think about it, I think WDEF is CBS and another channel is ABC. But I think they used to be ABC.

Chattanooga's ABC station is WTVC. They've always been primarily ABC, with some secondary CBS in the 50s.

 

[Sammi Brie]

According to SitcomsOnline.com it looks as though that ABC Family will rebrand as ABCF sometime this fall.

Isn't there a clause in the contract that requires the network to use Family as part of the branding?

For perpetuity! They tried to rename it XYZ circa 2000 but they would have needed to do it in a legally odd way which might not have preserved all the retrans agreements.

 

[gregg75]

A B C F

Another
Bratty
Childish
Fifth-Grader

SHOW

 

[TnJanitor]

WDEF was Chattanooga's first tv station and I think they had all of the networks initially, including Dumont. NBC went to WRCB when they signed on, ABC got a full time home when WTVC signed on.

 

[cowboybud]

According to SitcomsOnline.com it looks as though that ABC Family will rebrand as ABCF sometime this fall.

Isn't there a clause in the contract that requires the network to use Family as part of the branding?

Yep, it goes all the way back to when MTM purchased the channel from Pat Robertson. They still have to show the 700 Club, also.

 

[azumanga]

Isn't there a clause in the contract that requires the network to use Family as part of the branding?

Yep, it goes all the way back to when MTM purchased the channel from Pat Robertson.

Actually, it was the other way around -- Robertson bought MTM.

As for the requirement to use "Family" in the name, I won't be surprised if Robertson sues Disney for breach of contract, as "Family" would no longer be part of the name.

That being said, everything I heard about contracts has been hearsay -- I've yet to see anything tangible that would bind ABC Family (and its predecessors and any successors) to their terms. Them carrying "700 Club", I believe, but since they're dumping "Family" for just an "F" -- there must be at least a loophole or something.

 

[Irishfl]

According to SitcomsOnline.com it looks as though that ABC Family will rebrand as ABCF sometime this fall.

Isn't there a clause in the contract that requires the network to use Family as part of the branding?

Yep, it goes all the way back to when MTM purchased the channel from Pat Robertson. They still have to show the 700 Club, also.

If anyone remembers I started a thread a few months ago asking if Disney had a loophole with the HD version of ABC Family ( http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=163015.0 ), as it could essentially be a separate channel (like MHD was the HD channel for MTV, VH1, and CMT when it first started), with a different name, but same content (except no 700 club). Nobody knew if they could do it, but perhaps this is it. ABC Family HD will be ABCF, while the standard channel will continue havning Family in its logo.

 

[flytrap]

This sounds like just a ploy to drop the "family" name so they can broadcast more adult material. Just like when "the Nashville Network" became TNN and later Spike so they could drop the country music. We are seeing the same thing happen to Country Music TV as it is now CMT. and becoming more and more like a generic cookie cutter cable channe.

 

[DToTheJ]

... if they do in fact rebrand to ABCF there's probably going to be a problem because The American Breast Cancer Foundation is currently using the ABCF acronym.

I guess that would most likely mean that in promos, ABCF (TV) will probably have to air disclaimers a la Worldvision Enterprises, saying they are not affiliated with American Breast Cancer Foundation... I believe Burlington Coat Factory also used similar disclaimers in their TV ads, reminding viewers that they were not affiliated with "Burlington Industries." Hey, it's not like cable networks don't throw enough crap on the screen to distract you, right?

Incidentally, if you Google "abcf" right now, ABC Family's website is the first search result. Then American Breast Cancer Foundation (abcf.org). Then something called "Anarchist Black Cross Federation" (abcf.net). Whatever... :

 

[JayR]

If anyone remembers I started a thread a few months ago asking if Disney had a loophole with the HD version of ABC Family (Did Disney miss a golden opertunity to ditch the 700 club?), as it could essentially be a separate channel (like MHD was the HD channel for MTV, VH1, and CMT when it first started), with a different name, but same content (except no 700 club). Nobody knew if they could do it, but perhaps this is it. ABC Family HD will be ABCF, while the standard channel will continue having Family in its logo.

I remember the post. Why can't Disney just call the HD feed XYZ? It's what they wanted to call the network years ago.

 

[Mario500]

... if they do in fact rebrand to ABCF there's probably going to be a problem because The American Breast Cancer Foundation is currently using the ABCF acronym.

Incidentally, if you Google "abcf" right now, ABC Family's website is the first search result. Then American Breast Cancer Foundation (abcf.org). Then something called "Anarchist Black Cross Federation" (abcf.net). Whatever... :

After I Yahooed (verb, past tense: to have used the Yahoo search engine) "ABCF" and "abcf", the site for the ABC Family Channel was in third place.

 

[formeraa]

What if they said "ABCF", but actually spelled out "amily" in small font on the screen. It would still have "Family" in the name, but it may just not be verbalized!