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Aug 17, 2007 7:26 am US/Pacific
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'High School Musical 2' Makes TV History
Disney Cashes In On Success Of Unheralded Movie With Sequel, DVDs And Tours
NEW YORK (CBS News) ―
Friday's premiere of the Disney Channel movie "High School Musical 2" brought in 17.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched program in cable television history, according to preliminary figures released today by Nielsen Media Research.
An ESPN "Monday Night Football" game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints on Sept. 25, 2006 brought in 16 million viewers, the previous top record.
"High School Musical 2" was the most-watched television program on broadcast or cable among children ages 6-11 with 6.1 million viewers, and the second most among children ages 9-14 with 5.9 million, trailing only Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.
The records among age groups go back to the beginning of Nielsen's People Meter system in September 1987.
"High School Musical 2" was also the most-watched TV program since May 29, when 17.3 million watched the season finale of the Fox's medical drama "House."
Final national figures will be released Monday, but are not expected to change significantly, according to a Disney Channel official who asked not to be identified, citing corporate policy.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)