Have you ever heard of Freeform? Depending on your age, you may remember this channel airing under different names in the past—like CBN, The Family Channel, or ABC Family. Read on as I clear up exactly what Freeform is today and, most importantly, reveal where to find Freeform on channel lineups if you’re a DISH Network subscriber.
Let’s start at the very beginning…
Believe it or not, Freeform first launched way back in 1977 under the rather religious name CBN, aka the Christian Broadcasting Network. Founded by famous televangelist Pat Robertson, CBN started syndicating classic family sitcoms and wholesome programming nationally four years later in 1981.
Break out those rabbit ears—we’re talking early days of television here! CBN gained attention for being one of the very first cable channels delivered across America by the futuristic technology (at the time) of communications satellites.
Flash forward to the late 90s when Rupert Murdoch’s media empire took over the channel and rechristened it The Family Channel in 1998. Sound a lot less churchy? That brings us to the early aughts when Murdoch sold the network yet again—this time to Disney.
Disney rebranded CBN’s family-oriented successor as ABC Family in 2001. By this point, the channel extended its demographics beyond strictly religious households. And Disney shifted its content to court younger viewers despite keeping “Family” in the name.
After 15 years, ABC Family received a modern overhaul as the Freeform network in 2016. Disney described Freeform as ABC Family “all grown up”—now catering to teens, 20-somethings and young adults instead of strictly kids and families.
Yet through all those owners and identity changes spanning over 40 years—from CBN to The Family Channel to Fox Family to ABC Family and finally Freeform—one crucial fact endured…
Wherever this ever-evolving channel travelled on the TV dial through the decades, it held a prime place in basic cable packages like those offered by leading satellite provider DISH Network.
Tuning into Freeform on Channel 180 with DISH Network
That brings me to answering the channel placement question I know you’re wondering—where is Freeform located in DISH Network’s current channel lineup?
I’ve got good news. Despite four decades of transformations under various media moguls, Freeform retains its solid spot nestled among other top cable networks on DISH.
You can tune into Freeform‘s latest teen and young adult shows on channel 180 if you subscribe to DISH Network.
Let‘s break down DISH‘s current channel map:
| Channel Name | Channel Number |
|---|---|
| Freeform | 180 |
Easy to remember, right?
Now, what kind of programming can you expect from today’s Freeform compared to yesteryear’s Family Channel or CBN? Well, times have certainly changed since Pat Robertson originally beamed Biblical shows over 1970s satellites!
From The 700 Club to 31 Nights of Halloween: What Airs on Modern Freeform
Thanks to an ironclad agreement spanning those early satellite broadcasting days, DISH Networks subscribers can still catch The 700 Club holding steady on Freeform’s morning lineup even in 2023!
This longstanding deal requires Freeform to keep airing Robertson’s flagship faith show every day—a relic from its heritage as the Christian Broadcasting Network, no matter how far Freeform continues evolving its other content.
Transitioning from The 700 Club‘s pious presence, Freeform‘s current schedule offers a hodgepodge catering to its youthful demographics.
You’re just as likely to spot family favorites like The Office or Family Guy as you are teen shows like Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin or coming-of-age films like Booksmart and Love, Simon.
Marvel movie aficionados can get their superhero fix anytime courtesy of parent company Disney. Speaking of Disney, expect flicks from its deep vaults to make frequent cameos as well.
When sitcom reruns, superhero adventures or young adult dramas aren’t illuminating TV screens, specialized seasonal blocks like 31 Nights of Halloween or 25 Days of Christmas infuse Freeform‘s lineup with extra spooky or merry spirit.
Yet millennials nostalgic for that wholesome Family Channel programming of the 90s need not fret. Freeform still celebrates Sunday Funday infusing some retro fun into the weekends.
And you’ll never guess which familiar shows from yesteryear air during Friday nights. Let’s just say freakin’ sweet…aka Family Guy Fridays!
In addition to Family Guy keeping his grip on Freeform primetime over two decades later, other popular FoxAnimation toons created by Seth MacFarlane often stop by. So don‘t be shocked if American Dad or The Cleveland Show steal some Family Guy spotlight.
Tracking Down Freeform Across Platforms
Hopefully I’ve made Freeform’s long, winding road to its current home on DISH Network clearer after four decades of rebrands and channel reassignments under five owners!
If you don’t subscribe to DISH, don’t lose hope yet. You still have options to access Freeform‘s eclectic blend of shows in 2023 beyond cable packages.
Let’s explore where else you can track down Freeform these days…
Since Disney acquired the network in 2001, Freeform automatically became tied to various Disney streaming ventures. Most recently, Disney bundled Freeform into its Hulu + Live TV service at the end of 2022.
So Hulu + Live TV subscribers can access current Freeform shows on demand along with the channel‘s live East Coast feed. At $69.99 per month, Hulu‘s Live TV tier costs a bit less than DISH to gain that Freeform flexibility online or off.
Conversely, you won’t discover any Freeform series old or new in competitor Netflix’s on-demand catalog. Why not? Mainly since the "Mou$e" prefers housing its TV properties under one roof!
Don‘t forget—the Freeform mobile app lets you watch shows on Android or Apple devices no matter how you normally tune in through cable or streaming outlets.
Finally, Canadians craving Freeform‘s youth-centered shows can head over to ABC Spark. That Great White North channel might sound unfamiliar but offers basically the same type of teen, 20-something and young adult programming that airs on Freeform stateside.
The Channel Formerly Known as CBN Sure Grew Up…
And that brings us up to date on where to find Freeform across America‘s ever-changing entertainment landscape no matter how you prefer to watch—whether streaming Hulu, subscribing to DISH Network packages or viewing on smartphones and tablets!
Hopefully I‘ve illuminated answers about what Freeform stands for nowadays as it approaches middle age after quite the eventful first 40-some years of channel transformations since 1977!
Let me know if you still have any other questions as you switch your sets over to Freeform on channel 180 courtesy of trusty DISH Network!
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