Posted: Fri., Feb. 8, 2008, 2:06pm PT

Disney taps cable's tween gold mine

'Hannah,' 'Musical' making hefty contributions

The Disney Channel is singing a happy tune.

After a boffo $31 million theatrical bow for "Hannah Montana's" 3-D concert pic Feb. 1 and the continued success of "High School Musical" across all fronts, the cabler has upped its status as a hefty contributor to the Mouse's bottom line.

Company topper Robert Iger used the two properties to sing the channel's praises as a franchise builder while announcing Disney's earnings last week.

Now for its follow-up, could the Jonas Brothers be Disney Channel's next synergistic crossover hit?

Company's been pushing the New Jersey singing trio (who appeared in the "Hannah Montana" film and show) as the next breakout stars to come out of its tween pipeline.

They're to star in the Disney Channel movie "Camp Rock" this summer and have the series "J.O.N.A.S." later this year plus a reality show. A Hollywood Records album is due in July.

Even before the ratings can be tallied, the trio are minting cash.

They recently sold out a concert at the Gibson Amphitheater in L.A. in two minutes -- the fastest ever for the venue, with two other consecutive shows there also selling out. That's part of a two-year, multimillion-dollar pact with Live Nation that includes 140 performances worldwide.

Just how big the brothers can become is still up in the air.

They're hardly another "HSM," a property that has spawned two hit TV movies, sold 15 million DVDs and another 15 million CDs, along with raking in millions more from other tie-ins.

Third pic moves to the bigscreen Oct. 24, featuring the same cast.

The popularity of 15-year-old Miley Cyrus and her Hannah Montana alter ego has sold 8 million CDs, generated $36 million in her recent concert tour and topped $50 million in album sales and downloads. A third season of her TV show is in the works.

If the Jonases come close, Iger will have another property that deserves a shoutout for more quarters to come.


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