In between each airing, The 101 will also feature additional Disney Channel programming including a sneak peek of the upcoming animated comedy series Phineas and Ferb, High School Musical: The Concert and a variety of the channel's short form programming.

In early 2008, DirecTV will launch Disney Channel HD, a simulcast of Disney Channel featuring the channel's Original Movies in high-definition as well as original live action and animated series for older kids and Playhouse Disney programming for preschoolers, states an official release.

"Come this fall, we will offer more national HD channels than any other TV service provider, so it makes sense that DirecTV is the only place to see the HD premiere of this immensely successful pop culture phenomenon," said DirecTV Entertainment executive vice president Eric Shanks. "This is just one of many ways DirecTV will continue to be the HD leader in the industry in the months and years to come."

"We are excited to bring High School Musical 2 in high-definition to DirecTV's customers," said Disney and ESPN Media Networks senior vice president affiliate sales and marketing Nathalie Lubensky.