When “High School Musical 2,” the sequel to the hit 2006 film, made its debut on the Disney Channel, it was a highly anticipated moment for millions of children.
It was also a satisfying one for the Disney Channel. Despite lukewarm reviews, the film’s debut Friday night drew 17.2 million viewers, according to preliminary estimates, which would make it not only the No. 1 television program of the week, cable or broadcast, but also the show with the largest single audience in basic-cable-television history.
The Disney Channel, available in 92 million homes nationwide, has been reaping the benefits of the frenzied buildup for “High School Musical 2.” For the past five weeks, Disney has been the most watched basic-cable channel in prime time.
Even the franchise’s most loyal fans are aware of how persistently “High School Musical” has been marketed to them.
“I always think that it’s way too much,” said Bridget Lavin, an 11-year-old from Manhasset, N.Y., wearing earrings in the shape of a certain cartoon mouse. “That doesn’t make me any less excited.”
“What can I complain about?” said Andrea Doherty of Manhasset, the mother of two daughters, 10 and 13. “In a regular teen movie, they’d be jumping all over each other and you’d have to bleep things out.”
Needless to say, “High School Musical 3” is in development.
