Saturday Disney

Saturday Disney is a long running Australian children's television program which aired on the Seven Network in Australia for over 26 years, with the first episode going to air on 27 January 1990.[1][2] The show was a television block which aired on Saturday mornings, consisting mainly of Disney television series dispersed between hosted content. The original presenters were Jeniene Mapp, James Sherry and Sofie Formica,[3] and the final presenters were Nathan Morgan, Candice Dixon and Teigan Nash. Many hosts have gone on to achieve successful careers in Australian television.[4]

For UK version, see List of GMTV programmes § Saturday Disney.

Saturday Disney
Saturday Disney title card used from 31 March 2012 onward
GenreChildren's show
Presented byList of Presenters
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series27
No. of episodes1,366
Production
Production locationsBrisbane, Queensland (1990–1997)
Sydney, New South Wales (1997–2016)
Running time120 minutes (1990–2012)
180 minutes (2012–2016) (incl. commercials)
Production companyBuena Vista Television (1990–2000s)
Release
Original networkSeven Network (1990–2016)
7TWO (2012–2016)
7flix (2016)
Original release27 January 1990 (1990-01-27) –
24 September 2016 (2016-09-24)
Related
Seven's Super Saturday

On 5 September 2009, the show celebrated its 1,000th episode.[2][5] Saturday Disney aired its final episode on 24 September 2016.[6][7]

Hosts

 Original   Replacement   Final 

Role Name First show Last show
Host Sofie Formica 27 January 1990 October 1992
Lisa Barry October 1992 October 1997
Melanie Symons October 1997 19 October 2002
Shae Brewster 19 October 2002 27 July 2013
Teigan Nash 27 July 2013 24 September 2016
Host Jeniene Mapp 27 January 1990 October 1996
Shelley Craft October 1996 6 July 2002
Sara Groen 6 July 2002 28 January 2006
Sally Stanton 21 January 2006 7 May 2011
Candice Dixon 7 May 2011 24 September 2016
Host James Sherry 27 January 1990 29 January 1994
Marc Buhaj 5 February 1994 27 February 1999
Tim McDonald 6 March 1999 29 January 2000
Daniel Widdowson 5 February 2000 27 January 2007
Jack Yabsley 20 January 2007 26 February 2011
Nathan Morgan 26 February 2011 24 September 2016
Notes
  • Saturday Disney had three hosts at any one time, always consisting of two females and one male.
  • The presenters were also credited as segment producers, and they wrote and researched their own stories.
  • The only exception of having more than three hosts on air at one time was whenever a co-host was leaving and their replacement was introduced on screen, either a number of weeks beforehand, or during the final episode of the co-host who was leaving.
  • Shae Brewster was the longest-serving presenter in the history of the show. She hosted the show for three months short of eleven years.[8]
Appearances by hosts after leaving the show
  • Both Shelley Craft and Melanie Symons returned to the show as guests after their departures. Craft returned on 26 October 2002 to talk about her new hosting role on Perfect Match and via satellite on 29 October 2005 for the 800th episode. Symons returned on 2 August 2003 to promote Australia's Best Backyards.
  • Several hosts have appeared after their departure through old footage. On the 999th episode on 29 August 2009, footage of every previous presenter who had been on the show was aired, looking back at the show's then 19-year history.[2]
  • Sally Stanton was interviewed by Teigan Nash on 2 May 2015 at the Cinderella red carpet event. Stanton was reporting for Event TV.
  • Melanie Symons, Daniel Widdowson, Shae Brewster, Sally Stanton and Jack Yabsley featured as guests in the final episode which aired 24 September 2016. James Sherry also appeared via a video message.

History

Part of the Seven Network's output deal and long-running relationship with Disney in the late 1980s was to adopt a local program to feature new animated series such as DuckTales mixed with local studio segments.[9] This was part of an international franchise of programs in the global market to be named Disney Club,[2][3] the Australian version being located in Brisbane. The producers of this version convinced Disney to allow them to use the Saturday Disney title to avert confusion with The Mickey Mouse Club, a title which seemed dated.[2] The original set was designed to reflect Queensland architecture and make the viewers feel like they were visiting a friend's house on a Saturday morning. The set has since changed several times, the most recent set being introduced in February 2007. Saturday Disney was originally filmed at BTQ-7[3] from 1990 until 1997, when it moved to its new production base at ATN-7 in Sydney. It was originally produced by Buena Vista Television in conjunction with Seven.

On 5 September 2009, the show celebrated its 1,000th episode. The episode was filmed on location at Disneyland to celebrate.[5][10] A week prior to this, footage of every previous host who had been on the show was aired, looking back at the show's then 19-year history.[2][11]

Shae Brewster hosted her final episode on 27 July 2013, becoming the longest-serving host in the history of the program. She presented the show for three months short of eleven years, first joining in 2002.[8]

The final episodes of Saturday Disney were filmed on 26 August 2016.[6] TV Tonight reported that the show would be ending before the news was confirmed by a spokesperson for Seven.[7] The final episode aired on 24 September 2016 and featured guest appearances by former presenters Melanie Symons, Daniel Widdowson, Shae Brewster, Sally Stanton and Jack Yabsley. James Sherry also appeared via a video message. David Knox of TV Tonight reported the cancellation of the program was the result of a "change in direction" under a new executive producer in charge of children's programming for Seven.[4]

Format

As a main feature, Saturday Disney originally included three Disney programs dispersed throughout the course of a two-hour episode. From 2012 to 2016, Saturday Disney featured five programs over the course of a three-hour episode. The programs shown regularly rotated around the schedule, and were a mixture of animated cartoons and live action comedies, which were more common after the premiere of Hannah Montana in 2007.[12][13] There were three hosts of Saturday Disney, who lived in the 'Disney House' and introduced the programs along with performing other activities such as cooking, craft, science segments, interviews and special appearances by guests, usually celebrities, and occasionally live animals. Occasionally, the show was shot entirely on location, where the hosts explored certain cities such as Coffs Harbour[14] or places such as Disneyland for the episode's entirety.[5]

Feature stories produced by and starring the hosts were also included, which were usually articles about places, activities and events, interviews with celebrities or red carpet events.[15] This format has been likened to magazine-style edu-tainment shows.[16] In some stories, the hosts adapted certain characters used as a substitute for themselves presenting the article. Another type of the stories were recurring mini-series with the hosts acting as characters, which air occasionally. Some recurring series from the past included Hazard Man (1990s),[10] The Transfreezers (2000–2001), Tell Tale Trio (2002–2004) and the Secret Agents (2010–2011).[17] A Page in Time (2006),[18] introduced a style of serialised drama, depicting three children returning to 1850s. More recent series such as Danger Island (2009), Race Around the Island (2010) and The Assistant (2014) took on the reality genre, parodying American series Survivor, The Amazing Race, and The Apprentice respectively.

A Double Dog Dare was featured in every episode, where each host took turns (one each week) to complete ridiculous, embarrassing or challenging tasks which may have resulted in eating unusual food punishments upon failure, regularly ingredients mixed in a blender.[19] Ideas for dares and punishments were regularly sent in by viewers. This popular segment was a prominent feature of the show for many years.[20]

Each week there was also a chosen Letter of the Week, which could be letters, drawings, or art sent in by viewers. Winners usually received many prizes, and the artwork was displayed around the set.[21] Throughout the course of the program, emails from viewers were also read out.

Time slot

The program's time slot since the show's inception in 1990 was always every Saturday from 7:00 am until 9:00 am on Seven unless there were interruptions by sporting or news events. Further Disney programming would continue to air after Saturday Disney.[22]

From 4 September 1993 to 25 August 2001, Saturday Disney aired for an extra half-hour until 9:30am to include cartoons such as The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and The Little Mermaid, or C classified programming such as Crash Zone, Squiggle Vision and Science Court. However, the extra programme would be listed separately on TV guides and feature minimal hosted content.

On 4 July 2009, the show moved to the earlier time slot of 6:30 am to 8:30 am.[23] However, the show returned to the previous time of 7:00 am to 9:00 am on 31 October 2009.[24]

It was announced on 8 February 2010, that beginning 13 February 2010, the show would be moved to the later time slot of 9:00 am to 11:00 am, to make way for Weekend Sunrise.[25]

It was announced on 17 March 2012 that, beginning 31 March 2012, the show would be moved to 7TWO and return to the original 7:00 am to 9:00 am time slot with a new look and logo, to make way for The Morning Show.[14][26] On 12 May 2012, the regular length of Saturday Disney was extended to three hours with a time slot of 7:00 am to 10:00 am.[27]

On 1 September 2012, Saturday Disney moved to the new time slot of 6:00 am to 7:00 am on Seven, then from 7:00 am to 9:00 am on 7TWO, the three hours now airing across both channels.[9][28][29]

On 19 March 2016, the program's secondary channel changed from 7TWO to 7flix, airing from 6:00 am to 7:00 am on Seven, then from 7:00 am to 9:00 am on 7flix.[30] The program remained in this slot until its final episode.

Reception

At the time of its final episode, Saturday Disney was the twentieth-longest-running program in Australia, and the fifth-longest-running children's program in Australia.

Viewership

In 2005, Saturday Disney had an average of 196,000 viewers (in the 0–14 age group alone) and was the number-one-rating children's program on commercial television for people aged 0 to 14.[16][31]

Saturday Disney was the fifth-highest-rating children's program on free television in 2006, averaging 274,425 viewers over 48 broadcasts.[32] In 2008, the program's yearly average viewing audience had ballooned to 395,000 (combining metro and regional audiences), ranking as the eighth-most-watched children's program.[33] Saturday Disney ranked as the fourth-highest-rating children's program in 2009, averaging 368,000 viewers across both metro and regional audiences over 48 weeks.[34]

However, the final episode on 24 September 2016 was comparatively only watched by 41,000 on Seven (6:00 am to 7:00 am) and 24,000 on 7flix (7:00 am to 9:00 am).[35]

Awards

On 18 March 2012, Saturday Disney was announced as a nominee for the 2012 Most Outstanding Children's Program Logie Award. The ceremony took place on 15 April 2012, and the award was presented by former Saturday Disney host Shelley Craft with Sam Moran. The nomination package featured footage from the episode which aired 13 August 2011, in which the hosts visited the Northern Territory. ABC3's My Place won the award.[36]

List of awards and nominations received by Saturday Disney
Award Year Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
Logie Award 2012 Saturday Disney Most Outstanding Children's Program Nominated [37]

Programming

1990s

2000s

2010s

See also

References
  1. "1990: January 27-February 2". Television.AU. 26 January 2010. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  2. Knox, David (27 August 2009). "Saturday Disney flashes back". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  3. "1990: January 13-19". Television.AU. 24 January 2010. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  4. Knox, David (25 September 2016). "Farewell to Saturday Disney". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  5. "Saturday Disney: 1000th episode". Throng.com.au. 5 September 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  6. Nash, Teigan (26 August 2016). "The places we have been, the people we have met and the memories we'll never forget! What an epic team! Thank you to each and everyone of you and anyone we have ever worked with!". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2016. unfortunately the show is coming to an end... Sept 24th is the last episode ...
  7. Knox, David (7 September 2016). "Axed: Saturday Disney ending after 26 years". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  8. Knox, David (18 July 2013). "New presenter joins Saturday Disney". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  9. Bayley, Andrew (26 April 2013). "Special: Australian TV History Timeline Pt 2". Television.AU. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  10. "What's Your Favourite Saturday Disney Moment?". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. August 2009. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  11. "History of SD and an Exploding Cake!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. August 2009. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  12. "Saturday Disney - PREMIERE of Hannah Montana! - Saturday April 7". Throng.com.au. 20 March 2007. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  13. Knox, David (2 April 2009). "Returning: Hannah Montana". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  14. Knox, David (29 March 2012). "Saturday Disney moving to 7TWO". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  15. "Saturday Disney Adventure Blog". Total Girl. 26 April 2016. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  16. Powerhouse Museum. "Cap from the children's television program Saturday Disney". Powerhouse Museum, Australia. Archived from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  17. "It's All Aboard Pacific Jewel for Saturday Disney". ETB Travel News. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  18. "Disney delights pupils during filming at Sovereign Hill". The Courier. 21 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  19. Stojceska, Milena. "Gold Coaster to star on Saturday Disney". Goldcoast.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  20. Cashin, Miranda (5 March 2011). "Dreams come true on Disney". Sunshine Coast Daily. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  21. "Letter of the Week". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  22. Dan Martin (4 November 2013). BTQ7 Saturday Disney Promo January 1990. YouTube. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  23. "Planes, Tennis, Gymnastics and Jars of Awesomeness!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  24. Knox, David (14 October 2009). "Saturday Disney waking later". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  25. Knox, David (8 February 2010). "Bumped: Saturday Disney". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  26. "New Look, New Time, New Station". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2012. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  27. "Mother's Day". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  28. "Early Start!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2012. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  29. "Child's Play: Focus on the broadcasters" (PDF). Screen Australia. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  30. "Happy Easter!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2016. Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  31. "Children's Viewing Patterns on Commercial, Free-to-air and Subscription Television" (PDF). Australian and Communications Media Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  32. "Year in Review 2006" (PDF). Free TV Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  33. "Year in Review 2008" (PDF). Free TV Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  34. "Year in Review 2009" (PDF). Free TV Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  35. Knox, David (25 September 2016). "Saturday 24 September 2016". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  36. Knox, David (15 April 2012). "2012 Logie Awards: winners". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  37. Knox, David (18 March 2012). "Logie Awards 2012: nominations". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  38. "September – December 2002 News". Cartoon Central Australia. 2002. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  39. "Down on the Farm!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2008. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  40. "January 2005 – April 2005 News". Cartoon Central Australia. 2005. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  41. "November 2000 – December 2001 News". Cartoon Central Australia. 2000. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  42. "January 2006 – April 2006 News". Cartoon Central Australia. 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  43. "May 2004 – August 2004". Cartoon Central Australia. 2004. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  44. "May – August 2002 News". Cartoon Central Australia. 2002. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  45. "May – August 2003 News". Cartoon Central Australia. 2003. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  46. "January – April 2003 News". Cartoon Central Australia. 2003. Archived from the original on 24 December 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  47. "The Saturday Disney Factor!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  48. "Travelling Taste buds!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  49. "Puppets!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  50. "2014 coming to a close". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  51. "Exploring LA!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  52. "Canberra here we come". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2015. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  53. "The Great Outdoors". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2010. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  54. "Camping Saturday!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 23 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  55. "Baby Sitting Saturday!". Saturday Disney. Yahoo7. 2 May 2016. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
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