Miley Cyrus: Signs for more 'Hannah Montana'

Miley Cyrus: Signs for more 'Hannah Montana'

"Hannah Montana" will be continued to be aired with new magic and suprises. Disney Channel has closed a deal for a  4rth season of the blockbuster series starring Miley Cyrus.

The cable channel also has ordered a 2nd season of its breakout new comedy series titled "Sonny With a Chance," starring Demi Lovato, and has tapped Jeffrey Hornaday, choreographer of such movies as "Flashdance" and "A Chorus Line," to undertake the responsibility of direction and choreography the 4rth "High School Musical" movie.

There had been questions about whether Cyrus would return to the series that made her a global star, with the teen actress-singer recently expressing her intention to continue her small-screen duties as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana for one more year.

As part of the deal, Cyrus will get a long respite from work on the feature titled "The Last Song," with production on the fourth season of "Hannah Montana" that is scheduled to start from next year.

The series will change settings next season, during which the Stewarts will grapple with saying goodbye to their beachfront Malibu home.

"That will provide the catalyst for wonderful new characters and further expand the storytelling opportunities," added  Disney Channel Worldwide president Gary Marsh.

"Hannah Montana" which also stars Cyrus' dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment and Jason Earles -- draws an average of 4.4 million viewers every episode.

A 2007 episode of the show still ranks as the highest-rated basic cable series telecast ever with 10.7 million total viewers.

"Hannah Montana" has generated 2 double-platinum soundtracks, a No. 1 box-office movie, DVDs, a junior novel series, apparel, accessories, video games and a Miley Cyrus concert tour, which was made into a 3-D film version that became the No. 1 concert film of all time.

"Hannah Montana" was created by Rich Correll, Michael Poryes, and Barry O'Brien.

Since its premiere in the month of February, "Sonny," toplined by rising star Lovato, became television's top program for kids 6-11.