Disney's highly anticipated new series The Suite Life on Deck opened to much audience acclaim as it debuted on Astral Media's Family Channel.  It was broadcasted on the network as part of a special Thanksgiving Day marathon, and it attracted record ratings.  The Family Channel aired the first two episodes of the series back-to-back, and the viewers greeted the series with immense excitement.  

Starring Dylan and Cole Sprouse, each episode of the sitcom beat out its previous record set last March 2008.  The ratings followed the successful 2008 broadcast season for Family Channel, which emerged as Canada's number one pay-and-specialty channel in the country. 

The Suite Life on Deck, a spin-off of the lucrative The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, gained even more popularity when it was also made available online by the Family Channel.  The show's Canadian television premiere of The Suite Life on Deck garnered ratings of 408,500 and 405,300 respectively, an average of 26% more viewers than the previous record holder.  This led it to become the network's most-watched series premiere ever launched.

“We're delighted that viewers turned out in record numbers to catch The Suite Life on Deck, which has quickly found a spot alongside the very best from Disney," remarked Joe Tedesco, the Vice President and General Manager ob Family Channel and Playhouse Disney.

“With hit series like Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Cory in the House, Disney is re-writing the book on how to create engaging live-action comedies that resonate with kids - we're proud to deliver this to Canadians as only Family Channel can,” Tedesco said.

Family Channel has gained great success with The Suite Life on Deck, which also means that the show is an enormous triumph for Disney.  A premium and commercial-free network, Family Channel has since been offering fantastic family television entertainment in about 5.7 million homes in Canada. 

Meanwhile, the Disney Channel continues its broadcasting of regular episodes.  Next on The Suite Life on Deck is “International Dateline.”  The characters have to face the threat of the elements when the ship is suddenly struck by lightning.


-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Disney, Canada NewsWire
(Image Courtesy of Disney)