- OVER THE BOLTS first new Canadian original program tied to
the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games -
- New series premiere this Fall including: PEAK SEASON, CAPRICA,
P Diddy's MAKING HIS BAND, JUNK RAIDERS, STAR PORTRAITS and
HOUSE OF JASMINE -TORONTO, June 9 /CNW/ - CTV announced today the programming lineup for
its industry-leading suite of specialty channels, featuring new programs from
every genre and reaching all demos. As Canadian specialty channels continue to
experience audience growth, CTV specialties remain at the top in all adult
demos, leading CanWest by 42% and Corus by 57% among total viewers. Among the
key A25-54 demo, CTV has three of the top four specialties, led by ratings
juggernaut TSN and also including Discovery Channel (No. 3) and SPACE (No. 4).
CTV Specialties experiencing significant growth over the past season among
total viewers include BNN Business News Network (+46%), TSN (+20%), The Comedy
Network (+15%), CP24 (+11%) and Discovery Channel (+8%), among others.(*) Please
see addendum for full list of programming highlights and descriptions.
"From high-octane sports to high-impact news and information, from comedy
and drama to arts and entertainment, from fashion and music to factual and
reality, CTV has something for everyone," said Susanne Boyce, President,
Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.(xx)MEDIA NOTE(xx) Download CTV's Specialty Channels Fall 2009 program
descriptions for new and returning series at www.ctvmedia.ca.TSN, Canada's No. 1 specialty network for all key demos, continues to be
the overwhelming favourite television destination for sports fans across the
country. TSN delivers an unparalleled slate of sports programming for the
2009-10 season including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games along with
exclusive coverage of the 2009 Grey Cup Game and the IIHF WORLD JUNIOR
CHAMPIONSHIP. TSN2 joins TSN to give sports fans even more choice when it
comes to sports coverage - with hundreds of hours of exclusive major league
events this year.
Perennial viewer favourite The Discovery Channel offers the best of
factual programming and adds new reality series JUNK RAIDERS to its lineup,
alongside ratings stalwarts CANADA'S WORST DRIVER and MAYDAY. JUNK RAIDERS
reveals what builders and designers can do with garbage.
SPACE promises sci-fi and fantasy fans another two obsession-worthy
series with STARGATE UNIVERSE, based on the popular franchise STARGATE, and
CAPRICA, the highly-anticipated prequel to BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, one of the
most popular sci-fi series of all time.
The Comedy Network sees the addition of five new series to its
laugh-out-loud schedule: the classic-style situation comedy LUCKY LOUIE; Chris
Lilley's (SUMMER HIGHTS HIGH) original mockumentary series WE CAN BE HEROES;
MICHAEL AND MICHAEL HAVE ISSUES; SECRET GIRLFRIEND, a scripted half-hour skein
based on a successful Web series, and the critically acclaimed veteran ratings
leader MY NAME IS EARL. The Comedy Network welcomes back ratings winner THE
DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, and the always hilarious THE COLBERT REPORT.
Bravo! expands its eclectic portfolio with two new Original Series that
delve into the worlds of talented and accomplished celebrities. Hosted by
Louise Pitre, STAR PORTRAITS combines the art of portraiture with celebrity
biography. The result is a series of intimate and personal stories with
accomplished artists and well-known celebrities. GREAT CANADIAN BIO-SERIES is
a series of stunning, in-depth individual biographies, that feature some of
Canada's greatest talents. Each episode of the series provides a look at the
lives of Canadians who have left their mark on this country, including Glenn
Gould, Yousuf Karsh, Ian Tyson, and Gordon Pinsent.
MuchMusic, MTV, MTV2, and MuchMoreMusic offer up the coolest music,
reality, and pop-culture programming for the highly sought-after A12-34 and
A18-49 demos with new scripted and reality series. P Diddy comes to MuchMusic
with two new series: MAKING HIS BAND and STARMAKER. Diddy's predecessor, MC
Hammer, joins the MuchMoreMusic line-up with HAMMERTIME. MTV offers up seven
new programs including OVER THE BOLTS, the first of several new Canadian
original series with ties to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Plus,
PEAK SEASON takes an unfiltered look at the lives, loves and true-life drama
of a group of 20-somethings living in the winter playground of Whistler, BC.
In THE BURIED LIFE, four Canadians travel the globe to complete a list of "100
Things To Do Before You Die". MTV2 has added DJ AND THE FRO, a new animated
series, to its slate. DJ AND THE FRO combines animation and the best of the
web with observations on the funniest, weirdest internet videos.
FashionTelevision, Canada's first and only channel dedicated to fashion,
adds the Ashton Kutcher-produced THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE to its Fall slate. This
new drama starring Mischa Barton (The O.C.) follows the life of beautiful
models as they try to make their way in the world of highly competitive
modeling.
Canadians are turning to BNN in record numbers, for the most
comprehensive, up-to-the-minute coverage of market news in Canada and around
the world. In the 08/09 season to date, BNN's ratings skyrocketed with a 125%
increase from the previous year with viewers A25-54. SQUEEZE PLAY returns to
BNN with the day's most explosive business stories. MARKET MORNING also
returns to put a spotlight on the stocks and stories expected to move the
markets, and gives minute-by-minute coverage as the trading day begins in
Canada and the U.S.
CP24 gives viewers the perfect wake-up call with CP24 BREAKFAST.
Delivering breaking news, weather and traffic information, this refreshing,
3.5 hour program, is hosted by Ann Rohmer, Melissa Grelo and Matte Babel. The
trio joins a seven-member team delivering the local news Torontonians need to
kick-start their day. CP24 stays true to its mantra "we're always with you",
giving viewers access to CP24 on television, on CP24 1050 Radio, and online at
cp24.com.
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 where Monday
through Friday, Clark cuts through the rhetoric and highlights the people and
players that dominate the political scene in Canada. With 15 local newsrooms
across the country, six international bureaus and partnerships with CNN, ABC
and APTN, CTV News Channel delivers the most comprehensive coverage of major
national and international news, as it happens.
Star! continues to give Canadian viewers their fill of Hollywood
headlines with a two-hour programming block as EXTRA joins ETALK, ACCESS
HOLLYWOOD, and TMZ.Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research, Total Canada AMA, 9/1/2008 to
5/17/2009, M-Su, 6 a.m.-6 a.m. All numbers 2+ unless otherwise noted.
ADDENDUM: NEW AND RETURNING
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
BRAVO!
------
GREAT CANADIAN BIO-SERIES - New (Original Canadian, 8 x :60)
Bound together to form a new Bravo! series, these individual
documentaries are stunning and in-depth features of some of Canada's
greatest talents. Well-known Canadians include Glenn Gould, Yousuf Karsh,
Ian Tyson, Gordon Pinsent, Denny Doherty, Des McAnuff, and Takao Tanabe.
Each episode provides a look at the lives of Canadians who have left
their mark on this country.
INNOVATORS OF MUSIC - New (Original Canadian, 6 x :30)
This series profiles dynamic musicians from a variety of genres and
backgrounds. Over the course of several days the production focuses the
shoot around an event or location of musical/personal significance.
Mixing performance, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage each program
offers a unique glimpse into the world of the artist.
Cast: Dave Stewart, Levon Helm, Steve Earle, Neko Case
STAR PORTRAITS - New (Original Canadian, 13 x :30)
STAR PORTRAITS combines the art of portraiture with celebrity biography.
The result is a series of intimate and personal stories with 39
accomplished artists and 13 well-known celebrities. In each episode, a
celebrity sits with three artists for a portrait and then chooses a
favourite from among the finished works. The Portrait Gallery of Canada
chooses six for its permanent collection and the remaining portraits are
auctioned off for charity.
Cast: Louise Pitre (host), Romeo Dallaire, Margaret Trudeau,
Ashley MacIsaac, George Chuvallo, Roberta Bondar
PHOTO XPLORERS - New (Original Canadian, 6 x :30)
PHOTO XPLORERS follows an adventurous band of guerrilla photographers as
they slip behind the barricades to capture haunting images of abandoned
buildings describing the European locations, the building itself, and
problems they find. It's adventure art. The photos are gorgeous and the
characters compelling.
THE COMEDY NETWORK
------------------
LUCKY LOUIE - New
The comedy with an adult twist, LUCKY LOUIE features Louie, a part-time
mechanic of a muffler shop who spends most of his time at home taking
care of his four-year-old daughter, Lucy. His wife Kim, the real
breadwinner, works as a full-time nurse.
Cast: Louis C.K., Pamela Adlon, Mike Hagerty
MICHAEL AND MICHAEL HAVE ISSUES - New
MICHAEL AND MICHAEL HAVE ISSUES stars long-time comedic partners
Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter as hosts of their own fictitious
sketch show. Behind-the-scenes of the show-within-a-show, viewers get a
first hand look as the two misguided stars confront issues of insecurity
and jealousy as they attempt to undermine each other.
Cast: Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter
SECRET GIRLFRIEND - New
Based on a successful Web series, SECRET GIRLFRIEND makes the audience a
central character in the life of an irreverent single guy, his best
friends and the multiple girlfriends he tries to keep secret from each
other.
Cast: Michael Blacklock, Sara Fletcher, Alexis Krause
WE CAN BE HEROES - New
Created prior to his first North American hit, SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH, Chris
Lilley uses the mockumentary series to explore society's obsessive search
for heroes. Playing five "Australian of the Year" nominees, Lilley
unearths the unintended humour of these characters as they make their
pitch in this annual public popularity contest.
Cast: Chris Lilley
MY NAME IS EARL - New
This critically acclaimed, veteran ratings leader brings its wit and
charm to The Comedy Network. Stripped Monday to Friday.
Cast: Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Jamie Pressly
CP24
----
CP24 BREAKFAST
Airing live every weekday morning at 5:30 a.m. - before any other local
newscast in Toronto - CP24 BREAKFAST delivers breaking news, weather and
traffic information, while keeping the channel's popular enhanced screen
intact. In this refreshing, 3.5 hour program, co-hosts Matte Babel,
Melissa Grelo and lead anchor Ann Rohmer join a seven-member team
delivering the local news Torontonians need to kick-start their day.
Cohosts: Melissa Grelo and Matte Babel
News Anchor: Ann Rohmer
Traffic Updates: Cam Woolley
TTC Updates: Mika Midolo
Weather: Nalini Sharma
Helicopter: "Chopper Steve" (Steve Anthony)
CTV NEWS AT 11:30
Toronto's most-watched late local newscast comes to CP24 for the first
time this spring.
Cast: Pauline Chan, Bill Hutchison
ETALK
Hosted by Ben Mulroney and Tanya Kim, ETALK is the most-watched Canadian
entertainment newsmagazine. From the Oscars(R) and the Emmys(R) to the
JUNO Awards and The Giller Prize, ETALK is front-and-centre delivering
up-to-the minute news in film, television, music and more. Celebrating
both homegrown talent and international stars,
ETALK became Canada's first daily Canadian entertainment newsmagazine
when it launched in 2002.
Cast: Ben Mulroney, Tanya Kim
LeDREW LIVE
LeDREW LIVE features an original take on the hot topics of the day and
the personalities making news in Toronto. New this season, LEDREW LIVE
airs every weekday at 9 p.m. only on CP24.
Host: Stephen LeDrew
CTV NEWS CHANNEL
----------------
POWER PLAY WITH TOM CLARK
With a fresh look at politics, politicians and plays for power POWER PLAY
WITH TOM CLARK is the political show of record for Canadians. Monday to
Friday, Clark cuts through the rhetoric and highlights the people and
players that dominate the political scene in Canada. Clark expands on the
issues of the day online in his daily note at CTV.ca/powerplay, while
viewers can catch episodes they've missed on the CTV Video Player.
DISCOVERY
---------
JUNK RAIDERS - New (Original Canadian)
With only $5,000, the team of freecyclers, builders and designers have to
turn an old factory space into a functioning, trendy, live/work loft in
just one month. Their primary building materials? Other people's garbage.
Why? To see if what the rest of us throw out is good enough to live in.
Cast: Geoff Woodmansey, Gordie Warnoff, Cam Pikul
CANADA'S WORST DRIVER 5 (Original Canadian)
Last season, DRIVER became the No. 1 non-sports series on specialty
television in Canada for the past five years. In its prime time return,
Andrew Younghusband and the team of experts create Driving Boot Camp in
their return to CFB Borden. With participants that include a Catholic
Priest and punk rocker, season five promises new tests, twists and turns,
and reveals the fifth person to become CANADA'S WORST DRIVER.
Cast: Andrew Younghusband
MAYDAY (Original Canadian)
Investigating high-profile air disasters to uncover how and why they
happened, MAYDAY takes viewers onboard flights in trouble, re-creating
the tension and the pressure in the cockpit and cabin. News footage, key
witness interviews, transcripts and computer graphics of the planes in
flight shed light on the safety issues at the heart of aviation industry
controversies.
FASHIONTELEVISION
-----------------
THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE - New
This new drama starring Mischa Barton (The O.C.) and produced by Ashton
Kutcher, follows the life of beautiful models as they try to make their
way in the highly competitive modeling. As every new model quickly
learns, behind the beautiful façade is a world of insecurity and
cutthroat competition.
Cast: Mischa Barton, Raina Collins, Chris Andrews
MTV
---
THE BURIED LIFE - New
With cameras rolling, relying on goodwill, guts and gumption, four
Canadian friends travel the globe to complete a list of "100 things to do
before you die." Trying to kiss Rachel McAdams and get in the Guinness
Book of World Records, they also encourage others to go after their own
lists.
Cast: Duncan Penn, Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood
DISASTER DATE - New
Being set up on the worst blind date ever is bad enough. Imagine your
closest friend setting you up on a DISASTER DATE just to see you squirm.
If you're strong enough to make it through, you could win cold hard cash.
OVER THE BOLTS - New (Original Canadian, 10 x :30)
Commissioned by Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium and produced
by MTV's in-house Field and Documentary Team, the 10-episode, half-hour
series follows the Canadian national snowboard team as they prepare to
compete for a spot on the Canadian Olympic snowboard team and a chance to
race at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Cast: Michael Lambert (Toronto), Kimiko Zakreski (Calgary), Dominique
Vallée (Montreal)
PEAK SEASON - New (Original Canadian, 10 x :30)
Filmed in the world-class ski resort and site of the 2010 Winter Games in
Whistler, B.C., Canada, the series takes an unfiltered look at the lives,
loves and true-life drama of a group of 20-somethings, coming of age in a
town where relationships change as often as the weather.
PRANKED - New
A weekly 30 minute show of the very best pranks pulled straight off the
internet. These homemade pranks are engineered, executed and filmed by
kids themselves. No producers, professional editors or camera men - just
the thin line of technology between the pranksters, their victims and the
audience.
HOUSE OF JASMINE - New (6 x :30)
MTV delves into the world of high fashion with this new series that takes
us through the ups and downs of the fashion industry as seen through one
of the youngest designers to hit New York's fashion week.
MTV 2
-----
DJ AND THE FRO - New
DJ AND THE FRO work for a big corporation, though they aren't sure what
the company does. Aimed at the generation that eats, sleeps and breathes
technology, DJ AND THE FRO combines animation and the best of the web
with the observations on the funniest, weirdest internet videos.
MUCHMUSIC
---------
MAKING HIS BAND - New (8 x :60)
Sean Combs is going on tour and aspiring musicians & singers become part
of all the excitement that goes along with touring with Diddy!
POPZILLA - New
Nobody is safe from POPZILLA, a rapid-fire, half hour animated sketch
show that relentlessly skewers the excesses of pop culture. With a unique
creative voice and style, POPZILLA is built to take on the headlines of
the day.
STARMAKER - New (11 x :60)
Produced by Mark Burnett, Sean Combs hand picks aspiring solo artists to
compete to become the next big thing on STARMAKER. Each week the
contestants are tested on how well they handle photo shoots, deal with
paparazzi, physically perform on stage and more.
MUCHMOREMUSIC
-------------
HAMMERTIME - New
HAMMERTIME follows the life of Stanley Burrell, a.k.a. MC Hammer, the 90s
rapper known for his thrilling stage shows, powerful dance moves and
catchy pop hits. Having faced some very public financial woes, Hammer now
lives a more economically balanced life with his wife and seven children
in Oakland, California.
HIGH SCHOOL REUNION 5 - New
A group of high school classmates take a trip back in time and get
reacquainted. Some seek revenge; others rekindle the flame with their
high school sweethearts. HIGH SCHOOL REUNION gives this group of former
classmates a chance to relive all the memories and moments from years
gone by.
TOUGH LOVE - New
Eight single women are sent on a "Tough Love Bootcamp' to help them find
the men of their dreams.
SPACE
-----
CAPRICA - New
Two families, the Graystones and the Adamas, live together on a peaceful
planet known as CAPRICA, where a startling breakthrough in artificial
intelligence brings about unforeseen consequences. A spin-off of the Sci
Fi Channel series BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, CAPRICA is set 50 years prior to
the events of that show.
Cast: Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales, Paula Malcomson
SANCTUARY - New (Original Canadian)
Created by some of the creative team behind STARGATE SG-1 and STARGATE
ATLANTIS, SANCTUARY's story takes place in world different from our own,
yet feels familiar. In SANCTUARY, monsters move silently throughout the
world, both threatening and threatened, while one woman and her team
search them out.
Cast: Amanda Tapping, Robin Dunne
STARGATE UNIVERSE - New
Based on the popular STARGATE franchise, STARGATE UNIVERSE follows the
adventures of a team of explorers aboard the starship Destiny. When they
discover the ship is unable to return to Earth and unable to control its
navigational schedule, the team must learn to fend for itself.
Cast: David Blue, Robert Carlyle, Lou Diamond Phillips
STAR!
-----
EXTRA - New
EXTRA, the hit entertainment program, joins ETALK, TMZ and ACCESS
HOLLYWOOD to provide viewers with a celebrity-packed, gossip-driven,
two-hour celebrity entertainment block. Covering celebrities and events
across Canada and the U.S., Star!'s new entertainment block takes viewers
behind the scenes into the most unexpected and exciting places. EXTRA is
also the ultimate headquarters for health and wellness with nightly news
on groundbreaking therapies, alternative treatments, fitness secrets and
more.
Cast: Hosted by Mario Lopez
TSN
---
NHL ON TSN
TSN's all-encompassing broadcast package delivers more NHL coverage of
Canadian teams than ever before. During the 2009-10 season, TSN will
televise nationally at least 70 regular season games featuring at least
one Canadian team. TSN will also have live coverage from the first three
rounds of the STANLEY CUP(R) PLAYOFFS. TSN continues to have exclusivity
of WEDNESDAY NIGHT HOCKEY and Canadian coverage of the NHL ENTRY DRAFT
and NHL DRAFT LOTTERY SPECIAL. TSN is coming off a season that saw the
network obtain record ratings for its NHL regular season and playoff
games. TSN2 airs an additional 30 exclusive games featuring U.S. based
teams.
IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Canada's annual holiday hockey tradition in late December/early January
continues with Team Canada looking for a sixth straight gold medal at the
2010 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. TSN will provide live coverage of
the tourney, including all of Team Canada's games. Last year, TSN's
coverage of the Gold Medal game attracted 3.7 million viewers, making it
the most-watched broadcast ever on TSN.
CFL ON TSN
TSN will televise every single CFL game - including the playoffs and
coveted GREY CUP - making TSN the ultimate destination for all things
Canadian football. The complete 77-game package is part of TSN's multi-
year deal with the CFL. WENDY'S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL returns for its
13th season and will continue to be the marquee night of the week for the
CFL ON TSN. Wendy's Kick For a Million is back for another installment as
one lucky fan will get the chance of a lifetime to kick a 50-yard field
goal during halftime at a CFL game for $1 million.
NFL ON TSN
CTV and TSN boast the biggest - and most prestigious - NFL broadcast
package in Canada. CTV will air all Sunday afternoon early games (1 p.m.
ET) and every NFL playoff game - including the SUPER BOWL, while TSN
continues to provide exclusive Canadian coverage of SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
and MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL. In all, TSN will televise 34 regular season
games in 2009-10.
SEASON OF CHAMPIONS CURLING
TSN's multi-year broadcast deal with the Canadian Curling Association
continues this season, providing TSN with exclusive Canadian rights to
all Season of Champions events - including the semifinals and finals.
TSN's curling schedule features the TIM HORTONS BRIER, SCOTTIES
TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS, WORLD MEN'S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP, FORD WORLD
WOMEN'S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP, CANADIAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, and the
CANADIAN OLYMPIC PRE-TRIALS and TRIALS, which determine who will
represent Canada at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
NBA
It's a slam dunk for basketball fans on TSN. The network's impressive
package of NBA games features 47 exclusive Toronto Raptors games on TSN
and TSN2 along with the NBA All-Star Game, the NBA Playoffs and exclusive
Canadian coverage of the NBA Finals.
SPORTSCENTRE
SPORTSCENTRE, TSN's flagship news and information program, remains the
clear-cut leader in sports news for fans in Canada. With correspondents
across the country, SPORTSCENTRE brings viewers the most comprehensive
news, highlights, scores and exclusive interviews from across the sports
spectrum with nine hours each day.
TSN2
Now with extensive distribution across the country, TSN2 gives sports
fans even more choice with hundreds of hours of exclusive live sports
including NHL, NBA, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series,
IndyCar Series, Grand Slam Tennis, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and NCAA
Football events. TSN2 is already among the top 10 rated digital channels.
(*)Source: BBM NMR, Total Canada, P2+ AMA CWD4 (10/27/08-12/15/08) Monday
10-11p.m. Ranked Among All English Canadian and US Specialty, BY04/05
(8/30/04-8/28/05) to BYTD/08/09 (9/1/08-4/26/09) M-Su 6a-6a, Programs
with 5+ airings excluding sports and movies.
For further information: CTV Inc.: Gabrielle Free, (416) 384-2658 or
gabrielle.free@ctv.ca OR Bravo!/STAR!: Emily Young Lee, (416) 384-3004 or
emily.younglee@ctv.ca; Business News Network/CP24/CTV News Channel: Alexis
Hood, (416) 384-4426 or alexis.hood@ctv.ca; Comedy/SPACE: Karen Tyrell, (416)
384-6104 or karen.tyrell@ctv.ca; Discovery Channel: Carolyn Fell Delamere,
(416) 384-4603 or carolyn.fell@ctv.ca; MuchMusic/MTV: Rom Halverson, (416)
384-2794 or rom.halverson@ctv.ca; TSN: Greg McIssac, (416) 384-5180 or
greg.mcissac@ctv.ca
