Enlarge imageBy Katie Hasty
NEW YORK (Billboard) - The soundtrack to the Disney Channel’s blockbuster TV movie "High School Musical 2" ruled the U.S. pop charts Wednesday with the second-biggest opening sum of the year.
The set sold 615,000 copies in the week ended August 19, according to Nielsen SoundScan, a few thousand short of the 623,000 that Linkin Park’s "Minutes to Midnight" moved in June. Since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991, only three other soundtracks have ever moved more than 615,000 copies in a week: Eminem’s "8 Mile," "Titanic" and "The Bodyguard."
The first "High School Musical" soundtrack was the biggest-selling album in the United States last year, topping the chart numerous times last year and selling 4.1 million copies to date.
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The Disney Channel’s premiere of "High School Musical 2" last Friday scored 17.24 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research, making it the most-watched basic cable telecast of all time. It also drew the best primetime audience for any summer offering on cable or broadcast other than sports telecasts and the Olympics since September 5, 1997.
A new episode of "Hannah Montana" aired directly after "High School Musical 2," helping Miley Cyrus’ Disney double-disc set "Hannah Montana 2 (Soundtrack)/Meet Miley Cyrus" rise two places to No. 2 with 83,000.
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds’ double-disc set "Live at Radio City" entered at No. 3 with 70,000. Their previous collaboration, "Live at Luther College," debuted and peaked at No. 2 with 187,000 copies in 1999.
The "Now 25" hits compilation slipped one place to No. 4 with 66,000 copies, while the soundtrack to "Hairspray" rose one to No. 5 with 63,000.
After debuting at No. 1 last week, hip-hop combo UGK’s "Underground Kingz" tumbled to No. 6 with 60,000. In its 48th week on the chart, Fergie’s "The Dutchess" rose one to No. 7 with 53,000.
The Jonas Brothers’ self-titled sophomore effort fell three to No. 8 in its second week with 41,000. Rapper Plies’ debut "Real Testament" slid seven places to No. 9 with 39,000, while Common’s "Finding Forever" fell three to No. 10, also with 39,000.
