17M watched 'High School Musical 2' debut

LOS ANGELES , Aug. 20 (UPI) -- About 17.2 million viewers tuned in to see “High School Musical 2” when the made-for-TV sequel premiered on the Disney Channel.

Despite earning lukewarm reviews from critics, the sequel to the 2006 sensation “High School Musical” may be last week’s No. 1 television program, as well as the most watched show of any kind in basic cable history, if preliminary ratings estimates for Friday's debut hold up, The New York Times reported Monday.

About 11.9 million people watched the series finale of "The Sopranos" on HBO in June.

The success of the “Musical” movies is a boon to the Disney Channel, which has been trying to offer programs that appeal to children aged 9 to 14.

“People talk about ‘High School Musical’ as a franchise. The franchise is the Disney Channel original movie,” Rich Ross, president of Disney Channel Worldwide, noting that “Musical” was the channel’s 61st original movie, told the Times.

A "Musical" feature film could also premiere in theaters late next year, once negotiations with principal cast members are complete and Ross suggested the franchise may not end there, the newspaper said.

“If you do it right, maybe there’s more to go,” he said.