Kids and Tweens Make Disney's "Descendants 3" a Hit

Disney Channel’s ‘Descendants 3’ is Highest Rated Telecast Among Kids and Tweens in Two Years

Disney Channel’s premiere telecast of Descendants 3 (Friday, August 2, 8 p.m.) drew cable TV’s highest ratings in more than two years among Kids 6–11, Tweens 9–14, Girls 6–11 and Girls 9–14. With 8.43 million Total Viewers (2+) tuning in for the third installment of the popular franchise inspired by Disney heritage characters, the movie was the No. 1 telecast of the day across all television. It grew 84% from DVR viewing over three days (L+SD to L+3).

The movie’s incredible showing in cable TV ratings and DVR viewing is the strongest in youth demographics since the July 21, 2017, premiere of Descendants 2. Descendants 3 ranked No. 1 for the day in every demographic measured by Disney Channel, delivering most remarkably among Kids 6–11 (2.7 million viewers, 11.3 rating), jumping 95 percent in L+3; Tweens 9–14 (2.5 million viewers, 10.4 rating); Girls 6–11 (1.9 million viewers, 16.4 rating), growing 92 percent in L+3; and Girls 9–14 (1.8 million viewers, 15.5 rating). Additionally, more than 2.5 million adults (2.0 rating) watched the premiere telecast of Descendants 3, including 1.7 million Women 18–49 (2.6 rating).

Fans gave Descendants 3 a wickedly wonderful reception across multiple platforms, and it is the No. 1 most social TV movie year-to-date. In the DisneyNOW app, the movie is the highest viewed Disney Channel Original Movie in a single day. In the iTunes TV store, Descendants 3 is the No. 1 TV Show (all genres). The movie’s soundtrack rose to No. 1 on the iTunes album chart (and has remained in the top spot since Saturday), and is also No. 1 on the soundtrack chart. Descendants 3 music videos have more than 111 million views in just five days—including more than 23 million views for “Queen of Mean,” performed by Sarah Jeffery as “Audrey,” which has held the No. 1 spot on YouTube’s DisneyMusicVevo for three days.

Viewers were first introduced to the teenage sons and daughters of Disney’s most infamous villains in Descendants, and their story continued two years later in its sequel, Descendants 2. The premiere telecasts for both Disney Channel Original Movies ranked as the most-watched of cable movie of the entire year (2015 and 2017) among Kids 6–11 and Tweens 9–14.

Five years into the franchise, the demand for a deeper experience with the characters, stories and music continues. The Descendants movies built opportunities across Disney beginning with New York Times best-selling books, licensed apparel, accessories, home décor and fashion dolls. Guests can experience a Descendants immersive experience (DescenDANCE Party) at Disney Parks and Resorts, select Disney Stores and aboard select Disney Cruise Line ships. Descendants 3 costumes will be available for Halloween 2019. Descendants 3 is available on DVD now.

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