Disney's Wizards-Suite Life-Hannah Merger Works Ratings Magic

Disney Channel's Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana Friday-night crossover event drew 9.3 million viewers, claiming a variety of ratings records.

First and foremost, the 90-minute intermingling of the channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life on Deck and Hannah Montana established itself as cable's most-watched scripted program of the year to date, edging out Disney's own Princess Protection Program (which premiered last month).

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Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana's strong showing also gave Disney Channel the honor of being TV's most-watched network during its 90-minute run.

Disney also notes that in head-to-head competition during the 8 o'clock hour, WoDwHM more than doubled the audience for the opening night of Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants 10th anniversary celebration.

Compared to Disney's past multi-show mergers, Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana improved upon 2007's Cory in the House-Suite Life of Zack & Cody-Hannah mash-up by 82 percent, and bested 2006's That's So Raven-Suite Life-Hannah crossover by 41 percent.