The Walt Disney Company owns and founded Freeform.
Freeform (TV channel) . The network was founded as the CBN Satellite Service , an extension of televangelist Pat Robertson 's Christian Broadcasting Network ; it evolved into a family-focused entertainment network in 1981 , eventually becoming known as The Family Channel by 1990 -- after the network was spun out of CBN into the for-profit International Family Entertainment . After the network began to struggle as a result of their changes , the venture was sold to The Walt Disney Company in May 2001 , in a sale that also included Saban Entertainment ; the channel altered its name to ABC Family six months later on November 10 . The Walt Disney Company . Disney also owns and operates the ABC broadcast television network ; cable television networks such as Disney Channel , ESPN , A+E Networks , and Freeform ; publishing , merchandising , music , and theatre divisions ; and owns and licenses 14 theme parks around the world .