Disney Channel UK Celebrates Jump In Audience Share

Disney Channel UK is celebrating the anniversary of its strategic move into the Sky and Virgin Media basic packages with news of a 60% jump in audience share.
In the first quarter of 2007, the success of properties like 'Hannah Montana', 'That’s So Raven' and 'The Suite Life of Zack & Cody' has seen Disney Channel defeat Channel 5’s audience share for kids across all homes. In the pay TV sector, Disney Channel’s performance also outstrips BBC2 and Channel 4 as tweens tune in to their favourite shows.
New live action has helped drive Disney Channel’s success. Last year High School Musical broke all records for a TV movie achieving a double platinum selling album, a No. 1 DVD and reaching an audience of over a million on its first weekend on Disney Channel. In addition, Disney Channel Original Movies The Cheetah Girls 2 and Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior built on the success of High School Musical, dominating the Friday evening schedules to rank No. 1 in their competitive set with shares of 11.3% and 13.4% of kids respectively.
Miley Cyrus, star of Hannah Montana, also won the tween vote as the most successful live action launch of 2006, reaching the top 20 kids shows in less than 6 months. Disney Channel properties dominated live action across the board with 4 out of 10 of the top live action kids’ shows on the channel.
Rob Gilby, Managing Director of Disney Channel UK commented: "Disney Channel has enjoyed incredible success over the past year with High School Musical achieving cult status in the UK and around the world. We’re continually working on new ways to engage our tween audience with the most outstanding content and innovative technologies so 2007 is set to be a great year."
Playhouse Disney also enjoyed a 50% increase in audience share over the last year and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has been the most successful launch ever on the channel.
Disney Cinemagic, launched into the premium movie market to coincide with Disney Channel’s move to basic, is now the leading premium film channel for kids.
(DS/SP)