ABC is finally getting a piece of Disney's "High School Musical" franchise.
The network is developing a multiepisode reality competition 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. The network is keeping details of that top prize under wraps for now, however.
The show will include plenty of "High School Musical"-themed moments -- with appearances by the franchise's stars likely. ABC 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 network will repurpose a second window of the reality skein.
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; it 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.
I swear to god, if this gets picked up for real, I will hold a funeral for television. Somebody please do us all a favor and get rid of the HSM cast. And do away with Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus while you're at it.
