Disney Channel Renews Hannah Montana, Sonny With A Chance

Disney Channel has ordered a fourth season of Hannah Montana, ending speculation that teenage sensation Miley Cyrus would be saying farewell to the show. Disney has also renewed Demi Lovato starrer Sonny With a Chance for a second season. Production on the fourth season of Hannah Montana will begin in early 2010.

Miley Cyrus is returning, but goodbyes will be an ongoing theme in an arc that will see Cyrus’ character and her family leave their beachfront Malibu home. Airing on Sunday evenings, Sonny With a Chance rose to number 1 among scripted series with kids 6-11 and is on par with American Idol in the 9-14 demographic.

Steven Peterman and Michael Poryes are executive producers of Hannah Montana.

Sonny With a Chance is executive produced by creator Steve Marmel, along with Michael Feldman, Brian Robbins and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett.