High School Musical 2 Continues Ratings Juggernaut

Disney’s High School Musical 2 is continuing to be a ratings grabber for the Disney Channel, according to published reports. Having set a record with its initial airing last Friday by reaching 17.2 million viewers, the most ever for a basic cable television program, the show added another 15.9 million viewers — some of them repeat watchers — over two airings last weekend.

Disney has already announced plans to present High School Musical 3 next year and is in talks to make a feature film version of the original High School Musical, which was a ratings blockbuster for the Disney Channel.

There is currently a national tour of a stage version of HSM, which is now playing in Chicago (click here for TheaterMania’s review). In addition, Disney has licensed many local and school productions of the show.

HSM2 stars Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Monique Coleman, and Corbin Bleu. It is directed by Kenny Ortega. It will next air on the Disney Channel at 8pm on Thursday, August 23.