Can I watch Disney Channel or any programs on Apple TV for free?

?? No. Why would it be free on ATV and no where else? If you subscribe to the Disney channle with your cable service there are three Disney apps you can use to watch content without having to buy the shows. Otherwise you can buy the speicifc shows you want from Disney.

Many of the channels will require an activation process with your cable provider to verify that you already pay for the channel via cable. Apple TV does not give you HBO or Disney Channel for free. Instead, if you already pay for the channel on cable, your cable company can elect to allow you to stream content via Apple TV at no additional charge.

If I have a cable subscription that gives me ESPN or Disney than why would I want an Apple TV? This makes no sense. If I have basic cable that does not offer Disney can I still use that basic service from ATT Uverse to access Disney on Apple TV? If not, I do not see the reason to have Apple TV when you are already paying the cable company to have it.

There is a considerable amount of content on AppleTV that your cable company will likely not carry, as well as the Airplay features and connction to iTunes store/content. So there is plenty one could do with an AppleTV outside of this.The Apple TV has never been designed or promoted as a means of cutting the cable (and that would depend on what your viewing needs/wants are anyway). Apple can only provide content they do not own under the terms that the content providers will agree to. Currently that means most cable/satallite provided content is tied having an account with one of those companies (PBS is one exception). I have Dish, whcih does not participate, but still use my AppleTV seval hours a week and plan to purchase a second one soon.

If you do not like that set up, complain to the content providers (Nettworks, HBO, ESPN, etc.). They are driving this train when it comes to that issue.