ABC is finally getting a piece of Disney’s “High School Musical” franchise.
Net is developing a multiepisode reality competish themed to the “High School Musical” concept, with a nationwide talent hunt followed by a group of contestants studying at a music conservatory to hone their skills.
ABC is targeting a summer airdate for the “High School Musical” reality series.
Contestants will be eliminated each week until a final winning performer is chosen. Net is keeping details of that top prize under wraps for now, however.
Reality skein will include plenty of “High School Musical”-themed moments — with appearances by the franchise’s stars likely. Network is in discussions with a production company to handle the show, but that deal hasn’t been finalized.
Project marks the first time the Disney Channel has shared the “HSM” franchise with a sister network. It’s likely the kid-centric cabler will repurpose a second window of the reality skein.
Popular on Variety
Disney has licensed “High School Musical” to actual schools around the country for stage performances. That led to last fall’s Disney Channel/Barbara Kopple doc “High School Musical: The Music in You,” which followed a Texas theater group as they staged the play.
“High School Musical” is a major revenue generator for Disney; the conglom forecasts that consumer products related to the franchise will reach $650 million in sales this year.
The original “HSM” has been seen by more than 250 million viewers worldwide, the sequel by about 187 million.
