The hype for Descendants 2 is real. Today, Disney announced that not only will the sequel to the massive hit Disney Channel Original Movie debut July 21st at 8:00 p.m. on Disney Channel but will also air simultaneously on four other Disney-owned networks: ABC, Freeform, Disney XD, and Lifetime.
The announcement, made today by Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney|ABC Television Group, continues the group’s commitment to showcasing its programming in new, innovative ways to reach an even wider audience, joining the announcement of ABC’s exhibition of “Marvel’s Inhumans” in IMAX theatres worldwide this fall.
This extraordinary Descendants 2 summer block party ushers in the sequel to 2015’s Descendants, the fifth most watched movie in cable TV history (12.2 million Total Viewers) and will extend to each network’s branded digital and several on-demand platforms (live feeds on apps; plus on-demand on the Disney Channel, ABC, Freeform and Lifetime apps, beginning Friday, July 21st, at 10:00 p.m. EDT/7:00 p.m. PDT; and on Disney Channel, ABC, Freeform and Lifetime VOD beginning Saturday, July 22nd).
Sherwood said in making the announcement, “Descendants‘ fans asked for more, and we’ve answered their call, with more ways to watch and more ways to engage with the next chapter in their favorite TV movie. We’re combining the magic of Disney Channel content with the power and reach of our linear networks and digital platforms to ensure we’re everywhere our fans are all at the same time.”
Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, added, “The passion that fans – across every demographic and geographic landscape – have demonstrated for ‘Descendants’ rivals anything we’ve seen since High School Musical. Sharing the new sequel movie across our far-reaching portfolio of TV networks and digital platforms is something only Disney can do – and we do it proudly.”