By Nicole Reich ’17

For more than 15 years, the Disney-ABC television group has owned ABC Family and made it the iconic go-to channel for its biggest fans. The treasured “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas” and “13 Nights of Halloween” are TV events that viewers tuned in to watch. With its original shows and featured specials, the channel seemed to have it all. So it came as a surprise that the channel is re-branding its identity by changing the name to Freeform.

The channel plans to target a certain audience of “Becomers” who are in the “formation” of their lives, which presumably means viewers in the age 15-21 demographic. “Freeform evokes the spirit and adventure of our audience,” said President Tom Ascheim of ABC Family. Popular original shows that will still play on Freeform include “Pretty Little Liars,” “The Fosters,” “Switched at Birth,” “Baby Daddy,” and “Young and Hungry.” All of these have been incredibly successful after multiple seasons and with more scheduled to come. New shows that premiered throughout the transition of the new name are “Shadowhunters” and “Recovery Road,” which have already become fan favorites.

However, there are viewers who are conflicted about name change to Freeform, worried that the channel won’t be as reliable for quality TV or movies around the clock. For viewers who don’t like change, they must deal with a network that is devoted to changing. Other fans are happy because the network already had altered away from its first purpose. Fans of the original shows are ecstatic for the promising future of more seasons and new shows alike. With the new name comes a brand new priority to serve the fans captivating and relatable material on the journey towards becoming an adult.

Although there is the new name and some different shows, the network has vehemently promised to continue their beloved traditions with their two countdowns, original shows, movies and marathons.

Yes, the iconic ABC Family is changing its name and aspects of the channel, but some things will stay exactly the same. “Freeform will deliver new, exciting original content as well as all the favorite shows our viewers already love on ABC Family,” Ascheim added.