Disney's 'Sofia' Movie Draws 5.2 Million Viewers

Animated fairytale will launch as series in January

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/19/2012 4:48:17 PM

The premiere of the TV movie Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess attracted 5.2 million total viewers to Disney Channel on Sunday, setting the animated fairytale up nicely for its debut as a series in January.

Sofia, about a little girl who becomes a princess, drew 1.5 million kids 2-5 to become the No. 1 cable TV telecast in the demo in five years and in 10 years with girls 2-5, attracting 954,000 in that demo. For Disney Channel, it was the network's No. 1 telecast ever among girls 2-5 and No. 2 among kids 2-5, behind High School Musical 2.

The movie will repeat on Disney Channel all week and air on Disney Junior on Nov. 22. The series' January premiere date on both networks is to be announced.