Disney was likely quite sad to see Hannah Montana end but the series certainly left on a positive note. The show was once again a big winner for the Disney Channel, particularly among kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14. The last episode brought in 6.2 million viewers and marked the cable channel’s best performance in the hour in its history. Here’s the press release…

Quick Take – Fast National Ratings – Sunday, January 16, 2011

“Hannah Montana” Finale Delivers 6.2 Million Total Viewers, Hit Series’ Fourth Season is its Most-Watched on Record; Audience Built Each Season in Total Viewers and Kids 6-11

Comedy About an Ordinary Girl Living the Best of Both Worlds Ranked as Cable’s No. 1 Series of the Year Among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 for 3 of the Past 5 Years

“Hannah Montana Forever” Series Finale (7:00 – 8:00 p.m.) After nearly 5 years and over 100 new episodes on Disney Channel, Sunday’s series finale of “Hannah Montana” delivered 6.2 million Total Viewers, outperforming its record-setting fourth season average by 9%. The finale was easily cable’s No. 1 telecast in the hour among Kids 6-11 (2.1 million/8.6 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (2.0 million/8.3 rating) and posted Disney Channel’s highest ratings ever in the hour in Total Viewers and Kids 6-11.

· The fourth season, titled “Hannah Montana Forever,” ranked as the series’ most-watched season ever in Total Viewers (5.7 million), Kids 6-11 (2.1 million/8.4 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (2.1 million/8.5 rating). In fact, the series grew its Total Viewer and Kid 6-11 audience each season:

· Throughout its run of original episodes, “Hannah Montana” ranked as the year’s No. 1 cable series among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 a noteworthy 3 times: 2006, 2007 and 2010.

Since its premiere in March 2006, “Hannah Montana” has triumphed in television, music, concert tours, books, DVDs, consumer products and films.

With themes spanning “express yourself” and “follow your dreams,” the live-action comedy series introduced typical teen Miley Stewart, who lives with her older brother and widowed dad, a songwriter. But unbeknownst to her friends and classmates, Miley has a secret double life – she is the world famous pop star Hannah Montana. Combining a stage persona with creative costuming, Miley discovers she can have the best of both worlds – the fame and fortune of a well-known singer and the fun of middle and high school with her best friends, Lilly and Oliver, whom she has entrusted with her secret.

The series stars Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana, Emily Osment as Lilly Truscott, Jason Earles as Jackson Stewart, Billy Ray Cyrus as Robby Stewart, Mitchel Musso as Oliver Oken and Moises Arias as Rico.

“Hannah Montana” was created by Michael Poryes, Rich Correll and Barry O’Brien. The executive producers are Steven Peterman and Michael Poryes. “Hannah Montana” is a production of It’s a Laugh Productions, Inc.

(Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Ratings, Live + Same Day: 01/16/11; Most Current: Season 4: 7/11/10-1/16/11, 13 telecasts; Season 3: 11/2/08-3/14/10, 30 telecasts; Season 2: 4/23/07-8/3/08, 29 telecasts; Season 1: 3/24-06-3/30/07, 26 telecasts). Ratings based on national rating unless otherwise noted.

Image courtesy Disney.