Premiere of Disney Channel's Original Movie FREAKY FRIDAY is the #1 TV Telecast of the Summer in Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14

By: Aug. 15, 2018
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Premiere of Disney Channel's Original Movie FREAKY FRIDAY is the #1 TV Telecast of the Summer in Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14

The world premiere of the Disney Channel Original Movie "Freaky Friday" on Friday, August 10 (8:00-9:45 p.m. EDT/PDT) reached 7.2 million Total Viewers - including 3.1 million Kids 6-14 - across seven telecasts in its first three days. The Friday (8:00 p.m.) telecast alone ranks as the summer's #1 TV telecast among both Kids 6-11 (999,000/4.2 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (782,000/3.2 rating) and is the top cable telecast in six months among both Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 - since 2/16/18 and 2/19/18, respectively. Disney Channel's "Freaky Friday" is available now on DisneyNOW and VOD.

Separately, its nine musical scenes - as music videos on DisneyMusicVevo and/or Disney Channel Youtube - have been viewed 747,000 times since Friday, August 10. The 12 song soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on Friday, August 10.

On Friday, August 24 (8:00 p.m.), "Freaky Friday Live Play," a special telecast and second screen interactive experience, will connect kids' interest in the movie with their favorite activities - leveling up via trivia and quizzes.

To produce the comedic body-swap movie musical, told as a new story for a new generation, Disney Channel collaborated with Disney Theatrical Productions, the Broadway arm of Disney. The Disney Theatrical Productions' regional show played in five theatres (2016-17). As a Disney Channel Original Movie, it will be seen in 400 million homes on Disney Channels worldwide. It is also newly available via Music Theatre International (MTI) to schools and community theatres.

Directed by Steve Carr ("Paul Blart: Mall Cop," "Daddy Day Care"), the screenplay was written by playwright Bridget Carpenter ("11.22.63," "Friday Night Lights") based on her Disney Theatrical Production stage adaptation of the novel by Mary Rodgers. The music is by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey (the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning duo behind "Next to Normal"). The choreography is by Tony Award-nominee John Carrafa ("Into the Woods," "Urinetown").

Starring are: Cozi Zuehlsdorff ("Dolphin Tale") and Heidi Blickenstaff ("The Little Mermaid" and "Something Rotten!" on Broadway, and the stage production of "Freaky Friday"), Ricky He, Alex Désert (Disney Channel's "Let it Shine"), Jason Maybaum (Disney Channel's "Raven's Home"), Kahyun Kim (Disney Channel's "Austin & Ally"), Dara Renee', Jennifer Laporte, Isaiah Lehtinen, Sarah Willey (also known as Marlowe Percival), Rukiya Bernard and Joshua Pak.

The executive producers are Steve Carr, Susan Cartsonis ("Deidra & Laney Rob a Train," "What Women Want") and Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions ("The Lion King," "Aladdin" and "Frozen" on Broadway).

Emmy nominee David Lawrence ("Descendants," "High School Musical") composed the score. Perry Andelin Blake ("Middle School - the Worst Years of My Life," "The Wedding Singer") is the production designer. Academy Award winner Angus Strathie ("Moulin Rouge!," "Deadpool") is the costume designer.

Source: The Nielsen Company, National U.S. Live + 3 Day Program Ratings for 8/10/18, Summer 2018=5/28-8/10/18. Reach: NPower, L+3 Blend 8/10-8/13/18, 75% unification, 6 min qualifier.


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