A now-defunct, little-known Disney Channel rule has finally explained why 90s and 2000s kids said goodbye to their favorite shows prematurely. The “65-episode rule” dictated that shows like “Lizzie McGuire,” which catapulted US actress Hilary Duff to stardom, ended after just two seasons in 2004 despite their popularity and successful feature films. This rule was in place to allow four other shows to air during the week over a year, ensuring fresh content on the network.
Prior to 2005, several beloved Disney Channel shows, including “Even Stevens” and “Phil of the Future,” were canceled after reaching, or even before reaching, the 65-episode mark, despite favorable ratings and large fanbases. However, this changed with the debut of “That’s So Raven” in 2003, starring Raven-Symone. The show became a blockbuster hit, surpassing “Lizzie McGuire” in ratings and becoming the highest-rating original program in the network’s history.
Did you know Disney Channel used to mandate every show to have 65-episodes MAX back in the day? You would’ve thought Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire ran for longer than they did. But nah.
For @EW, I break down the 65-episode rule.https://t.co/c9gLC26lvy
— Rendy Jones (@rendy_jones) July 22, 2024
In 2005, “That’s So Raven” was sensationally commissioned for a fourth season, marking the first time a Disney Channel original series went beyond three seasons. Former Disney Channel president Rich Ross stated, “It is our most successful series. It has taken us where we got with ‘Lizzie’ and ratcheted it up to another level.” The show reached 100 episodes when its series finale aired in November 2007, pioneering a new era for Disney Channel shows to exceed the 65-episode limit.
Following the precedent set by “That’s So Raven,” other shows also broke the 65-episode rule. The animated spy series “Kim Possible” initially faced cancellation after releasing a movie spin-off “So The Drama” in 2005. However, fan backlash led to the show being renewed for a fourth season, ultimately concluding with 87 episodes in 2007.
“The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” starring twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse, aired from 2005 to 2008 and finished its three-season run with 87 episodes. “Hannah Montana,” arguably the most popular Disney Channel show of all time, debuted in 2006 and catapulted Miley Cyrus to global superstardom. The show maintained consistently high ratings, with its most viewed episode in 2007 reaching 10.7 million households, and concluded with 98 episodes in 2011.
I have a petition that asks @Disney to finally, officially release all 65 episodes of “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” on both Blu-Ray and on DVD for all Regions. Would any @spidermanTAS fans like to sign and share this petition, please?#SpiderManhttps://t.co/lmxDSASX54 pic.twitter.com/ILQfeK1Q4v
— Stuart Green (@StuartGreen2018) July 20, 2024
Selena Gomez’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” hit 106 episodes upon its finale in 2012, which became the most-watched final episode of any Disney Channel show with an audience of 9.8 million. These successes marked the end of the 65-episode rule and ushered in a new era of longer-running Disney Channel shows.
Key Points:
- 65-Episode Rule: Disney Channel previously enforced a rule limiting shows to 65 episodes, leading to the premature end of popular series like “Lizzie McGuire.”
- Popular Shows Cut Short: Shows including “Even Stevens” and “Phil of the Future” were canceled despite favorable ratings due to this rule.
- “That’s So Raven” Breaks the Mold: In 2005, “That’s So Raven” became the first Disney Channel show to surpass the 65-episode limit, reaching 100 episodes.
- Fan Influence: Fan backlash led to the renewal of “Kim Possible” for a fourth season after initially facing cancellation at the 65-episode mark.
- End of the Rule: Following these changes, popular shows like “Hannah Montana” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” ran for significantly more episodes, marking the end of the 65-episode rule.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
