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June 21, 2010
CTV Announces New Comedy Channel, Comedy Gold / 2010/2011 Specialty Channels Lineup Announced
– Comedy Gold becomes fourth new specialty brand –
– Conan O’Brien joins The Comedy Network –
– New specialty series include: THE BORGIAS, NIKITA, THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, TODD AND THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, and WORST CASE SCENARIO –
– TSN #1 specialty and grows 78%; Much up 41%; SPACE up 37% –
To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/8YWTiZ
Toronto, ON (June 21, 2010) – CTV announced today the launch of a new specialty brand, Comedy Gold. Launching August 2, Comedy Gold pays tribute to timeless sitcoms of the 70s, 80s and 90s, and becomes CTV’s fourth new specialty brand this year, following the previous announcement of Discovery World HD, Investigation Discovery, and Discovery Science. The announcement was made as CTV confirmed the programming lineup for its industry-leading suite of specialty channels.
** Media Note ** Please see addendum “CTV Specialty Channels New and Returning Program Highlights” for full listings and descriptions, or visit www.ctvmedia.ca.
As Canadian specialty channels continue to experience audience increases, CTV specialties remain at the top in all adult demos, leading CanWest by 65% and Corus by 80% among total viewers. Among the key A25-54 demo, CTV has two of the top four specialties, led by ratings juggernaut TSN (#1), along with Discovery Channel (#4). CTV specialties with significant increases compared to last year among total viewers include TSN (+78%), MuchMusic (+41%), SPACE (+37%) and Discovery (+28%).*
“With the launch of Comedy Gold and the new Discovery Channel brands, along with the premiere of hot new series and the return of power-house ratings winners in genres for every key target demo, CTV specialty channels are set to lead the industry for yet another season,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.
Comedy Gold
Launching August 2, Comedy Gold sees its former TV Land Canada channel re-focus exclusively on the timeless sitcoms of the 70s, 80s and 90s. With more titles still to be confirmed, Comedy Gold features comedy classics such as the groundbreaking THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW; both classic Bob Newhart shows, THE BOB NEWHART SHOW and NEWHART; two-time Emmy®-winner for Best Comedy Series, MURPHY BROWN; court-room hi-jinks on NIGHT COURT; classic Canadian laughs on SCTV; and the show that catapulted Will Smith to stardom, THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR, among others.
Entertainment Specialties
Bravo!
Bravo! offers viewers one of the most anticipated television events of the 2010/2011 season, with the dynamic original series THE BORGIAS. Co-starring Colm Feore (FLASHPOINT, 24), and hot, young Quebec star François Arnaud (I Killed My Mother), alongside Jeremy Irons (Kingdom of Heaven, Being Julia), THE BORGIAS revolves around a powerful and corrupt 15th-century Italian family headed by patriarch Rodrigo Borgia (Irons), who became Pope in 1492. Bravo! welcomes back the second season of the hit series STAR PORTRAITS. This year’s celebrity portraiture subjects include: Gordon Pinsent, David Suzuki, and Jeanne Beker to name a few. Seasons 1-4 of Canada’s #2 drama series CRIMINAL MINDS also joins the Bravo! lineup.
The Comedy Network
The Comedy Network welcomes Emmy®-winning comedy icon Conan O’Brien to the network’s late-night line-up with THE CONAN O’BRIEN SHOW. The much-anticipated vehicle from O’Brien premieres in November. The Comedy Network also welcomes ratings juggernaut THE BIG BANG THEORY to its schedule in a nightly strip. Returning to the network are new seasons of SOUTH PARK, UGLY AMERICANS and ratings winners THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART and THE COLBERT REPORT.
FashionTelevisionChannel
FashionTelevisionChannel, Canada’s first and only channel dedicated to fashion, offers up the premiere of VIVIENNE WESTWOOD’S LONDON. The special is an entertaining journey through the British capital, hosted by Vivienne Westwood, one of the world’s most influential designers. FashionTelevisionChannel also premieres MAVERICKS, MODELS, POWER PLAYERS AND IMAGE MAKERS: 25 YEARS OF FASHIONTELEVISION, a 25th anniversary special that looks back at the most controversial and colourful characters profiled and interviewed on Canada’s leading fashion series over the last quarter century. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL also returns with Cycle 15.
MTV and MTV2
MTV welcomes back the biggest phenoms from last year – JERSEY SHORE and THE BURIED LIFE for sophomore seasons. MTV2 adds the new live-action scripted comedy WARREN THE APE to its lineup, chronicling the life of a has-been puppet actor.
MuchMusic and MuchMore
MuchMusic becomes the exclusive home to the popular Canadian series DEGRASSI, back for its 10th season with 48 all-new episodes. Also new to the MuchMusic schedule are the new teen thriller PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, the scripted comedy THE HARD TIMES OF RJ BERGER, the cheerleading dramatic comedy series HELLCATS, starring Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical franchise), and the original dance competition reality series GOT TO DANCE UK that has spawned an American version of the same name, coming to CTV mid-season. MuchMore premieres LET’S TALK ABOUT PEP, the real life comedy that follows Sandra "Pepa" Denton of Salt-n-Pepa as she tries to jumpstart her stalled love life.
SPACE
SPACE promises genre fans an out-of-this-world line-up with new original series TODD AND THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, a tip of the hat to 80s teen and horror flicks that is best described as Breakfast Club meets Evil Dead, new seasons of SPACE co-productions SANCTUARY and THE LISTENER, the exclusive second season premiere of MERLIN, a fantasy-drama following the adventures of the young wizard in Camelot, and a new season of the hugely popular STARGATE UNIVERSE. SPACE also adds NIKITA, a remake of the feature film La Femme Nikita. This sexy and suspenseful series from executive producer McG (THE O.C., Charlie’s Angels) stars international action star Maggie Q (Live Free or Die Hard) as Nikita. As well, HUMAN TARGET based on the popular DC Comic and graphic novel, and MEDIUM, starring Patricia Arquette as a psychic who aids police in solving crime, return with new seasons.
Star!
Star! welcomes Marilyn Denis back to television with THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW. Additionally, Star! is the exclusive primetime home to TMZ, and continues to give Canadian viewers their fill of Hollywood headlines with an entertainment block that also includes ETALK and ACCESS HOLLYWOOD. Star! is also home to talk TV, with the THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, THE DR. OZ SHOW, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON and AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.
Factual Specialties
Animal Planet
From the most perilous encounters with nature’s fiercest predators to the pets we bring into our own family, Animal Planet captures the drama and compelling characters of the animal kingdom. New this season, former heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson, goes inside the cut-throat and bizarrely fascinating world of pigeon racing in TAKING ON TYSON. Returning, the “Best in Show” is proclaimed at the WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW and the Sea Shepherd Society continues its Antarctic whaling battle in WHALE WARS.
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel’s lineup offers a signature mix adrenaline-charged non-fiction programming. New this season on Discovery Channel, WORST CASE SCENARIO stars survival expert Bear Grylls (MAN VS. WILD) revealing how to survive potentially life-threatening situations, such as escaping a burning building or sinking car. In other daring escapes, new series BREAKOUT follows the gripping cat-and-mouse stories of escaped convicts and the law enforcement officers determined to bring these fugitives to justice. Returning series include: million-viewer mega-hit CANADA’S WOST DRIVER, DIRTY JOBS; and the15th anniversary season of DAILY PLANET.
Discovery Science
Launching September 27, Discovery Science explores the quirky side of technology, human progress, scientific discoveries and the people behind them with series including, SCI FI WITH MICHIO KAKU, SCIENCE OF THE MOVIES and METEORITE MEN.
Discovery World HD
Launching August 2, Discovery World HD offers an unparalleled sensory experience that explores the beauty and richness of life’s most incredible journeys. The channel offers 100% original programming in primetime that captures the biggest and boldest High-Definition viewing experience, including the epic television event LAST DAY OF THE DINOSAURS, cosmic exploration in THROUGH THE WORMHOLE WITH MORGAN FREEMAN; and the beauty of the BBC’s SOUTH PACIFIC.
Investigation Discovery
On August 30, justice comes to television with the launch of Investigation Discovery, which offers a deeper look into the world of crime, forensics and paranormal investigation with series including ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN, PRISON WIVES and I (ALMOST) GOT AWAY WITH IT which explore the fascinating criminal mind.
Travel + Escape
From food and fashion, to travel and adventure, Travel + Escape is the ultimate destination for escapist entertainment. Perennial favourites, ANTHONY BOURDAIN: NO RESERVATIONS and BIZARRE FOODS WITH ANDREW ZIMMERN return with new seasons this fall.
Sports Specialties
TSN and TSN2
TSN, Canada’s #1 specialty network for overall viewers and in all key demos, continues to be the overwhelming favourite television destination for sports fans across the country. TSN’s coverage of the IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medal game attracted 5.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched broadcast ever on the network. With record audience increases for all of its key properties last year, including an increase of more than three times the audience for women 18-34*, TSN delivers an unparalleled slate of sports programming for the 2010-11 season highlighted by extensive NHL and CFL coverage.
In addition to generating record audiences, TSN also saw extensive growth for TSN2. Now available in more than 4.5 million homes, TSN2 set a new benchmark for audiences on a digital channel with 887,000 viewers for its coverage of the IIHF World Junior semifinal game*. TSN2 further enhances its impressive schedule of live events with national coverage of one NFL early afternoon game (1 p.m. ET) every Sunday throughout the regular season and live European soccer.
News Specialties
BNN
Canadians continue to tune-in to BNN for the most comprehensive, up-to-the-minute coverage of market news in Canada and around the world. BNN offers viewers STOCK AND AWE, a new program that teaches newbie investors how to surf the markets, shed debt, and be more financially secure. Also new for 2010 is THE ELEVATOR PITCH; the new series gives entrepreneurs on the hunt for early stage investors, the opportunity to deliver a two-minute “elevator” pitch to a panel of venture capitalists.
CP24
CP24 offers viewers front row access to Toronto’s mayoral candidates with YOUR VOTE: THE RACE FOR MAYOR. The six-part series features live, two-hour televised discussions that give leading local mayoral candidates an opportunity to debate the issues, present their ideas for the future of the city, and give Torontonians a chance to ask candidates questions via email, phone, Twitter, and in person.
CTV News Channel
CTV News Channel is home to all of CTV’s award-winning news programming, including CANADA AM, CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LLOYD ROBERTSON, CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH SANDIE RINALDO, and QUESTION PERIOD. CTV News Channel also boasts Canada’s political show of record, POWERPLAY WITH TOM CLARK.
About CTV
CTV, Canada’s Olympic Network, is also Canada's largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada’s most-watched television network. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country and owns or has interests in leading national specialty channels, featuring news, sports, factual, arts, entertainment, music, youth and fashion programming. Official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad, CTV Inc. is owned by CTVglobemedia Inc., Canada’s premier multi-media company, which also owns Canada’s national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. More information about CTV may be found on the network’s website at www.ctv.ca.
*Source: BBM Canada; Q1-3 BY09/10 (8/31/09-5/30/10); Canadian Commercial Analog Specialty networks; Audiences prior to August 31, 2009 based on BBM Nielsen Media Research Mark II meters.
- CTV -
For more information:
CTV Inc.
Gabrielle Free, 416.384.2658 or gabrielle.free@ctv.ca
OR
Bravo!/FashionTelevisionChannel/STAR!
Eleni Tenuta, 416.384.5057 or eleni.tenuta@ctv.ca
Business News Network/CP24/CTV News Channel
Emily Young Lee, 416.384.3004 or emily.younglee@ctv.ca
Comedy/Comedy Gold/SPACE
Sara McLaren, 416.384.6104 or sarah.mclaren@ctv.ca
Discovery Channel/Discovery World HD/Investigation Discovery/Discovery Science
Jodi Cook, 416.384.4603 or jodi.cook@ctv.ca
MuchMusic/MTV
Amy Doary, 416.384.2593 or amy.doary@ctv.ca
TSN
Greg McIssac, 416.384.5180 or greg.mcissac@ctv.ca
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