The success of Disney Channel was kind of an accident. The halcyon days of the mid-2000s ushered in “High School Musical,” and the reach of “Hannah Montana” permeated pop culture beyond the tween ...

Vanity Fair: Reading the book, I had so many vivid, nostalgic memories of watching Disney Channel. What were the touchstones that made you want to delve into this topic? Ashley Spencer: Zenon: Girl of ...