20th Television
An American television production and distribution brand owned by Disney Television Studios.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
20th Television is an American television production and distribution brand whose origins lie in the television operations established by 20th Century-Fox in 1949. The business was created as Hollywood film studios increasingly entered television production, supplying broadcast networks and syndication distributors with dramas, comedies, game shows, animated programs, television movies, and other programming. Its early identity was TCF Television Productions, Inc.; in 1958 it became 20th Century-Fox Television, later dropping the hyphen in the company name. Over subsequent decades, the studio worked with ABC, CBS, NBC, the Fox Broadcasting Company, cable outlets, and international distributors. The company’s catalogue includes long-running and influential programs such as M*A*S*H, Trapper John, M.D., The Fall Guy, L.A. Law, Mr. Belvedere, The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons, Doogie Howser, M.D., Picket Fences, The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ally McBeal, Malcolm in the Middle, Modern Family, and Homeland. Some projects were produced by independent production companies under studio arrangements, while 20th Television supplied financing, production infrastructure, network relationships, distribution, or rights administration. Its historical business therefore extended beyond programs carrying the company name on screen. In 1989, television production and distribution functions were reorganized under Twentieth Television Corporation, a separate entity from the film studio, within the broader Fox corporate structure. The separation was intended to distinguish television operations from 20th Century Fox’s theatrical activities and to support a larger television output. The brand and its divisions subsequently participated in the expansion of the Fox network and in the development of a large syndicated and international catalogue. Fox Television Animation operated as an associated animation business from 1999 until Disney separated it from the 20th Television structure in 2020. The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets in March 2019. The acquired television operations became part of Disney’s television-studio organization. On August 10, 2020, Disney removed “Fox” from the names of several acquired entertainment businesses in order to distinguish them from Fox Corporation. The television production brand consequently adopted the name 20th Television, and the new copyright identity began appearing on 20th Television and 20th Television Animation productions in December 2020. Today, 20th Television operates as a Disney Television Studios production label. It develops and produces scripted television, animation-related projects, and other programming for broadcast networks, cable channels, streaming services, and international markets. Its work can be distributed through Disney-owned businesses and through outside partners. Home-entertainment distribution of relevant productions has been associated with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment under the 20th Century Home Entertainment banner. Following the closure of ABC Signature on October 1, 2024, 20th Television became described as ABC’s flagship television production arm. The brand is principally encountered through production credits, title cards, program publicity, licensing, and catalogue-rights administration rather than as a consumer retail product.
History
20th Television began in 1949 as TCF Television Productions, Inc., the television arm of 20th Century-Fox. Its first series was Crusade in Europe, produced for ABC. Fox expanded its television facilities in Hollywood during the 1950s and sold programs including The 20th Century-Fox Hour, My Friend Flicka, Broken Arrow, How to Marry a Millionaire, and Man Without a Gun. In 1958, the company adopted the name 20th Century-Fox Television. During the 1960s, the studio developed programs for all three major broadcast networks and for the emerging Fox production ecosystem. Its output included Adventures in Paradise, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Peyton Place, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, Batman, The Time Tunnel, Julia, Room 222, and other series. The decade also saw experimentation with game shows, animation, television movies, and co-productions. Although several projects were short-lived, the business established a broad production and distribution capability. The 1970s brought both failures and major successes. Fox produced M*A*S*H for CBS in 1972, a series that became one of American television’s most successful programs and ran for eleven seasons. Trapper John, M.D. followed in 1979 and remained popular through the 1980s. Other work included The Paper Chase, syndicated programs, game shows, and genre productions. In the early 1980s, the studio worked with Glen A. Larson and other outside producers, producing or distributing programs such as The Fall Guy, AfterMASH, 9 to 5, and The $100,000 Pyramid. The mid-1980s marked a revival in the television business. Steven Bochco’s relationship with the studio produced L.A. Law and later other programs, while Mr. Belvedere became a successful sitcom. The 1986 acquisition of Metromedia assets strengthened the corporate group’s television distribution and station interests. The Tracey Ullman Show, produced with Gracie Films for the new Fox network, introduced The Simpsons, whose success helped establish Fox as a significant U.S. television force. In 1989, the television production and distribution functions were placed under Twentieth Television Corporation, separate from the film studio. The reorganization supported a larger television slate and helped distinguish television operations from theatrical production. Twentieth Television distributed and produced programs for Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, and syndication, including Doogie Howser, M.D., The Simpsons, In Living Color, Picket Fences, The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ally McBeal, and many other series. The group also maintained specialist units, including television distribution, television-movie operations, international television activities, and animation. The 1990s and 2000s expanded the company’s role in independent-producer partnerships, international licensing, animation, and catalogue management. Fox Television Animation, established in 1999, supported animated production associated with the Fox television system and later operated separately from 20th Television after Disney’s 2020 restructuring. The wider catalogue continued to include major network and syndicated properties across comedy, drama, science fiction, animation, reality, and television movies. Disney’s 2019 acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets brought the operation into Disney Television Studios. In 2020, Disney removed “Fox” from the acquired entertainment brand names to prevent confusion with Fox Corporation, renaming 20th Century Fox Television as 20th Television. The renamed label continued to produce and distribute television content for broadcast and streaming services. After ABC Signature closed in 2024, 20th Television assumed a more prominent role as ABC’s flagship television production arm. It remains an active Disney television label with a substantial historical catalogue and an international licensing footprint.
- 2024
ABC flagship production role
[1]Following ABC Signature’s closure, 20th Television became ABC’s flagship television production arm.
- 2020
20th Television name adopted
[1]Disney removed the Fox name and renamed the television brand 20th Television.
- 2019
Acquired by Disney
[2]Disney acquired most of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets, including the television operation.
- 1999
Fox Television Animation launched
[1]An animation company was established within the Fox television structure.
- 1989
Twentieth Television reorganization
[1]Television functions were separated from the film studio under Twentieth Television Corporation.
- 1986
Metromedia assets acquired
[1]Fox acquired Metromedia assets, including television stations and a distribution subsidiary.
- 1972
M*A*S*H enters production
[1]The studio produced M*A*S*H for CBS, beginning an exceptionally successful eleven-season run.
- 1958
Renamed 20th Century-Fox Television
[1]The television company adopted the 20th Century-Fox Television name.
- 1955
Dedicated television facility expanded
[1]Fox converted its Western Avenue lot in Hollywood primarily for television production.
- 1949
Television operation established
[1]20th Century-Fox formed TCF Television Productions, Inc., beginning the business that became 20th Television.
Products and positioning
A major American television studio and catalogue owner serving broadcast, cable, streaming, home-entertainment, and international distribution markets.
Television series · 1972
M*A*S*H
A CBS comedy-drama produced by the studio beginning in 1972. Its eleven-season run made it one of the defining American television programs of its era and a central success in the studio’s catalogue.
Animated television series · 1989
The Simpsons
An animated comedy that emerged from The Tracey Ullman Show and became a foundational Fox program. Its long run and global licensing presence made it one of the most recognizable properties associated with the Fox television and later Disney television businesses.
Drama television series · 1993
The X-Files
A science-fiction and investigative drama produced for Fox. The series became an international franchise and a major catalogue title in the company’s television distribution business.
Legal drama · 1986
L.A. Law
A legal drama developed through the studio’s relationship with Steven Bochco Productions and broadcast by NBC. It helped mark a significant return to television success for the Fox studio in the mid-1980s.
Situation comedy · 2009
Modern Family
A long-running ABC comedy produced through the Disney-era television portfolio and associated production-company arrangements. It became one of the prominent contemporary comedy properties linked with 20th Television.
Drama television series · 2011
Homeland
A serialized espionage drama distributed and produced within the company’s later television portfolio. It illustrates the brand’s participation in premium and cable-oriented scripted programming.
Controversies
2022
Rockmond Dunbar sues 20th Television and Disney alleging discrimination
Actor Rockmond Dunbar sued 20th Television and The Walt Disney Company for $1.3 million. He alleged that he was denied medical and religious exemptions from a COVID-19 vaccination requirement and faced racial discrimination. 20th Television said it followed its legal obligations and denied that its decisions were based on race.
Brand decisions
2024
Strengthen 20th Television’s ABC production roleStrategyBackground
ABC Signature closed on October 1, 2024, changing Disney’s television production-label structure.
Action taken
20th Television became ABC’s flagship television production arm.
Aftermath
The change increased the label’s strategic importance within Disney’s broadcast and scripted-television operations.
2020
Remove Fox from the television brand nameStrategyBackground
After Disney acquired the relevant 21st Century Fox assets, it sought to distinguish the acquired entertainment businesses from Fox Corporation.
Action taken
20th Century Fox Television was renamed 20th Television, with the new identity subsequently used in production copyrights.
Aftermath
The label continued operating as part of Disney Television Studios and serving broadcast, streaming, home-entertainment, and international markets.
1989
Separate television operations from the film studioStrategyBackground
Fox sought to distinguish television production and distribution from the theatrical film business and increase television output.
Action taken
Television functions were placed under Twentieth Television Corporation, a separate entity within the broader Fox structure.
Aftermath
The reorganized business continued producing, distributing, and licensing programming across broadcast, cable, syndication, and international markets.
Recent events
Rockmond Dunbar sues 20th Television and Disney alleging discrimination[3]
Actor Rockmond Dunbar sued 20th Television and The Walt Disney Company for $1.3 million. He alleged that he was denied medical and religious exemptions from a COVID-19 vaccination requirement and faced racial discrimination. 20th Television said it followed its legal obligations and denied that its decisions were based on race.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Rockmond Dunbar sues Disney and 20th Television over vaccine mandate[4]
Actor Rockmond Dunbar filed a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company and 20th Television, alleging racial and religious discrimination in the vaccination accommodation process. 20th Television said it reviews exemption requests and that its process does not differ based on an employee’s race.
Reported
Rockmond Dunbar sues Disney and 20th Television alleging racial discrimination[5]
Actor Rockmond Dunbar sued the producers of 9-1-1, including 20th Television, a Disney subsidiary, alleging racial discrimination related to the rejection of his medical and religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement and his departure from the show. The allegations are claims in the lawsuit, not a court determination.
Reported
Disney announces the renaming of 20th Century Fox to 20th Television[6]
Disney was reported to be rebranding 20th Century Fox as 20th Television. The new logo and title card were expected to appear on television series from September, while older series would retain the original branding.
Reported
Disney announces 20th Century Fox Television rebrand as 20th Television[7]
Disney announced that it would rebrand 20th Century Fox Television as 20th Television. The article also reports that other television studio names were changed.
- Unconfirmed
Disney Television Studios announces studio name changes[8]
Disney Television Studios is rebranding its studio divisions: Fox 21 Television Studios will become Touchstone Television, and 20th Century Fox Television will become 20th Television. ABC Studios and subsidiary ABC Signature are to merge into one studio named ABC Signature.
Reported
Disney renames television studios[9]
Disney Television Studios rebranded three studios: 20th Century Fox Television became 20th Television, ABC Studios and ABC Signature collectively became ABC Signature, and Fox 21 Television Studios was renamed Touchstone.
Sources10 sources
- 120th Televisionen.wikipedia.org
- 2Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disneyen.wikipedia.org
- 3Rockmond Dunbar sues 20th Television and Disney alleging discriminationbusinessghana.com
- 4Rockmond Dunbar sues 20th Television and Disney alleging discriminationetonline.com
- 5Rockmond Dunbar sues 20th Television and Disney alleging discriminationyahoo.com
- 6迪士尼宣布将20th Century Fox更名为20th Televisioncinemaexpress.com
- 7Disney 宣布将 20th Century Fox Television 更名为 20th Televisionindiantelevision.com
- 8迪士尼电视工作室宣布更改旗下工作室名称c21media.net
- 9迪士尼为电视制片厂更名variety.com
- 10Actor Rockmond Dunbar Sues Disney, 20th Century Fox over Alleged Firing from '9-1-1' Due to His Vaccine Refusalbreitbart.com
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