A&E serves as the flagship property of America.
A&E ( previously Arts & Entertainment Network ) is an American cable and satellite television channel that serves as the flagship television property of A&E Networks , a joint venture between the Hearst Corporation and Disney -- ABC Television Group subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company ( both of which maintain a 50 % ownership interest ) . Disney Channel ( originally called The Disney Channel from 1983 to 1997 and commonly shortened to Disney from 1997 to 2002 ) is an American basic cable and satellite television network that serves as the flagship property of owner Disney Channels Television Group , itself a unit of the Disney Media Networks division of The Walt Disney Company .