20th Television facts for kids
Logo used since 2020
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Formerly
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| Division | |
| Industry | Television production |
| Predecessors |
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| Founded | March 15, 1949 |
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United States (until 2025)
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Key people
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Karey Burke (president) |
| Products | Television programs |
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| Subsidiaries | New Regency Television International (50%) |
20th Television, Inc. is a company that makes TV shows. It is part of Disney Television Studios, which is a division of the Walt Disney Company. This company creates many popular shows that you might watch.
Before it became 20th Television, it had other names. These included TCF Television Productions, 20th Century-Fox Television, and 20th Century Fox Television. In 2019, Disney bought many parts of 21st Century Fox, including this TV studio. The name changed in 2020 to avoid confusion with other "Fox" companies.
Contents
How 20th Television Started
Early Days: TCF Television Productions (1949–1958)
The company began in 1949. It was first called TCF Television Productions, Inc. This was when many movie studios started making TV shows. Its very first TV series was Crusade in Europe for ABC.
In 1955, the company launched its first big series. It was called The 20th Century-Fox Hour on CBS. This happened after the success of ABC's show Disneyland. Later, they made My Friend Flicka, based on a popular film.
Becoming 20th Century-Fox Television (1958–1989)
In 1958, the company changed its name to 20th Century-Fox Television. During this time, they made many well-known shows. These included Adventures in Paradise and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.
By the mid-1960s, the company was producing many shows. Some famous ones were Peyton Place and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. They also made the science-fiction drama Lost in Space. A very popular show from this time was Batman, based on the comic book.
The 1970s were a bit tough for the TV studio. But they produced M*A*S*H in 1972 for CBS. This show became incredibly successful and lasted for eleven seasons. Later, in 1979, they made Trapper John, M.D., which was also very popular.
In the 1980s, the company continued to make shows. Some of these included The Fall Guy and L.A. Law. In 1986, they introduced The Tracey Ullman Show. This show famously introduced The Simpsons, which became a huge success.
20th Television as a Production Company (1989–1994)
In 1989, the company's TV production work was handled by a separate group called Twentieth Television Corporation. This was done to help the film studio focus on movies.
During this period, 20th Television produced shows like Doogie Howser, M.D. and In Living Color. They also continued to produce The Simpsons. In 1993, a very important show, The X-Files, began. It became a huge hit and led to many seasons and movies. Another successful show was NYPD Blue.
Returning to 20th Century Fox Television (1994–2019)
In 1994, the TV production part of the company went back under the 20th Century Fox Television name. It became a division of the movie studio again.
During this time, they produced many new shows. These included The Practice and Ally McBeal. They also made Millennium, from the creator of The X-Files. In 1997, another company called MTM Enterprises joined 20th Century Fox Television.
In 2003, they worked with Lucasfilm to produce the first Star Wars: Clone Wars series for Cartoon Network.
Under Disney Television Studios
On March 20, 2019, the Walt Disney Company bought 20th Century Fox Television. It became part of Disney Television Studios.
On August 10, 2020, 20th Century Fox Television and 20th Television (the distribution arm) were combined into one company. This new company kept the name 20th Television. Another TV production company, Touchstone Television, also became part of 20th Television.
As of October 1, 2024, another Disney TV studio, ABC Signature, joined 20th Television. This made 20th Television the main company for making shows for ABC.
In April 2025, Disney announced that 20th Television will move. It will leave the Fox Studio Lot and move to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank by the end of 2025.
Companies That Came Before
Some companies merged into or were acquired by 20th Television over the years.
20th Television (Original Distribution Company)
This was the first company called 20th Television. It started in 1989. Its job was to share and distribute TV shows to different channels. It also handled shows from other companies that 20th Century Fox bought. This company merged into Disney Media Distribution in 2020.
Touchstone Television
This company was also a TV production company. It was known as Fox 21 Television Studios before 2020. It became part of 20th Television on December 1, 2020.
MTM Enterprises
MTM Enterprises was a production company started in 1969. It was created by actress Mary Tyler Moore and her husband, Grant Tinker. They produced many successful TV shows in the 1970s and 1980s.
Four Star Television
Four Star Television was an American TV production company. It was founded in 1952 by famous actors like Dick Powell and David Niven. They made popular shows like Four Star Playhouse and The Big Valley.
Shows Made by 20th Television
See also
In Spanish: 20th Television para niños
- Disney Entertainment Television
- 20th Television Animation
- ABC Signature
- Searchlight Television
- Touchstone Television
- FX Productions
- Disney Platform Distribution
- Disney–ABC Domestic Television
- Fox Entertainment
- Bento Box Entertainment
- MarVista Entertainment
