65 Episode Policy

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The 65 Episode Policy is a guideline created by Michael Eisner and Frank Wells in 1984. The policy is that television series on the Disney Channel are limited to 65 episodes and are then cancelled even if they remain popular. The idea was that this would force the network to continuously create new series rather than develop too much reliance on existing ones. In addition, by taking the shows off their broadcast schedule the network creates more demand for the sale of past episodes and movies based on the series. The figure 65 has not been an exact one - series have actually been ended ranging from 62 to 67 episodes.

The first series to face cancellation under this policy was Gargoyles which was still popular when it was cancelled after 65 episodes. But fan complaints pressured the network into bringing the show back for an additional 13 episodes. Three other series, Darkwing Duck, Timon and Pumbaa, and Ducktales, also avoided the policy and ran for 91, 86, and 100 episodes respectively. Kim Possible was originally announced as being cancelled after three seasons and 65 episodes, but fan protests persuaded the studio to renew the show for a fourth season of 22 additional episodes. Aladdin, Goof Troop, and That's So Raven have also been more recent exceptions to the rule. But generally, the policy has been carried out even in the face of fan disapproval.

Some other networks have also adopted similar "65 Episode" rules, to some degree -- Nickelodeon being one of them. One example from Nick was the Rugrats television series -- that series was originally cancelled in 1994 after 65 episodes were in the can. But, after the show gained popularity through daily repeats and home video releases, Nick brought Rugrats back into production in 1996, and remained in production until 2003, when over 170 episodes were produced.

Such a policy was wryly referenced in the last episode of Nickelodeon's The Angry Beavers, and not surprisingly had the episode banned.

Some Disney shows which have been cancelled:

- 65 episodes
Adventures of the Gummi Bears - 65 episodes
Bonkers - 64 episodes
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command - 65 episodes
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers - 65 episodes
Dinosaurs - 65 episodes (series produced by Disney and broadcast by ABC)
Disney's Doug - 65 episodes
Even Stevens - 65 episodes
The Jersey - 65 episodes
The Famous Jett Jackson - 65 episodes
Gargoyles - 65 episodes (13 additional episodes produced under the title The Goliath Chronicles)
- 65 episodes
- 65 episodes
Lizzie McGuire - 65 episodes
Out of the Box - 64 episodes
PB&J Otter - 65 episodes
Pepper Ann - 65 episodes
Recess - 66 episodes
Rolie Polie Olie - 67 episodes
So Weird - 65 episodes
Tale Spin - 65 episodes

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