The Disney Family Singalong is a series of American music
television specials that were broadcast by
ABC in 2020. First aired on April 16, 2020, and all hosted by
Ryan Seacrest, the specials featured performances of songs from
Disney films by musicians and other celebrity guests from their respective homes. The performances featured on-screen
karaoke lyrics, encouraging viewers to
sing along.
The first special was seen by 10.3 million viewers. A second special—The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II—was aired on May 10, 2020, which was seen by 5.74 million viewers. This was followed by a
Christmas-themed edition, The Disney Holiday Singalong, on November 30. The specials gained a
spin-off in November 2021, The Queen Family Singalong, featuring similar performances of songs by British rock band
Queen.[1] Another spin-off titled Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong aired on February 1, 2023, featuring similar performances of songs from Schoolhouse Rock![2]
Kenny Ortega organized a cast reunion of High School Musical for the special, with a performance of "
We're All In This Together".[5] Ortega noted that the song had experienced a resurgence in popularity amid the
pandemic (including videos of medical workers and others singing the song in support of their responses), explaining that "I can’t imagine that
Matthew Gerrard and
Robbie Nevil, who wrote this song, had any idea that it would have the legs and perhaps mean more now than when we first did it." The performance featured cast members from the film, as well as
Raven-Symoné, and cast members from fellow Disney Channel films Descendants and Zombies, and the film's Disney+ spin-off High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.[6]Zac Efron was unable to participate, but made a special guest appearance to introduce the performance.[7]
Performances
Performers & Songs featured on The Disney Family Singalong
The special received 10.3 million viewers during its initial airing, making it the most-watched program of the evening. It also held a 2.6 share of the key demographic of adults 18-49, beating its nearest competitor Young Sheldon.[14]
On April 24, 2020, an encore of the special on
Disney Channel (accompanied by an airing of the sing-along version of High School Musical)[15] drew 515,000 viewers.[16]
On April 21, the special was made available for streaming on
Disney+, before being removed exactly one year later.[17]
On
Mother's Day, May 10, 2020, ABC aired a follow-up special, The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II.[18][19]
Volume II was seen by 5.74 million viewers, with a 1.3 share among viewers 18-49; albeit lower than the initial special, it was still the highest-rated program of the night.[18] The special served as a lead-in for that night's American Idol, which also featured Disney songs as a theme.[20]
Performances
Performers & Songs featured on The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II[21][22]
On November 30, 2020, ABC aired a third,
Christmas-themed edition of the special, The Disney Holiday Singalong, as a lead-in for ABC's CMA Country Christmas special.[23] The special was seen by 5.73 million total viewers, with a 1.3 share among viewers 18-49.[24]
Performances
Performers & Songs featured on The Disney Holiday Singalong[25]