CTV's The Listener Spins Off Exclusive Online Series: Switch, Premiering Wednesday, August 15 on CTV.ca

Bell Media

- First two episodes of original digital-only series premiere Wednesday, August 15 -

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TORONTO, Aug. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - What happens when telepathic paramedic Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik) suddenly loses his telepathic abilities and his wisecracking EMS partner Oz (Ennis Esmer) gains them? That's the premise of SWITCH, an exclusive digital-only series spun off the hit original series THE LISTENER.

The six webisodes of SWITCH have the same sleek look and high production value as the series and act as a complement to its third season. The first two episodes of SWITCH premiere following the broadcast episode of THE LISTENER in each market on Wednesday, August 15, exclusively on CTV.ca and the CTV App, with new webisodes launching weekly.

"SWITCH represents an evolution of our online strategy to leverage existing programs into relatable, valuable multi-platform content, said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice President, Programming, CTV Networks. "Its unique content, spun off from an original hit drama and we look forward to doing more high-quality, innovative extensions."

"With SWITCH, we're giving fans of THE LISTENER a different take on the characters they love, and having some fun with the 'with great power comes great responsibility' meme," said Jay Bennett, Vice President, Smokebomb Entertainment. "The series really highlights how well Toby copes with his abilities, and gives Oz a chance to take a joy ride in the driver's seat."

The live-action, mystery-comedy series SWITCH features a new chapter in the adventures of Toby and Oz each week. When Toby and Oz are suddenly jolted by a defibrillator while on duty for the Integrated Investigative Bureau, Toby's mind-reading gift is transferred to Oz. Oz immediately takes full advantage of his new powers by winning at poker and trying to pick up women, while Toby attempts to keep him focused on the serious business of saving the world from utter destruction.

THE LISTENER airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

SWITCH is directed by Laurie Lynd (MURDOCH MYSTERIES, DEGRASSI, THE NEXT GENERATION), written by Bobby Theodore (FLASHPOINT, MURDOCH MYSTERIES) and produced by Jay Bennett of Smokebomb Entertainment - the award-winning digital media division of Shaftesbury - with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund, in association with Bell Media Inc. The digital series is executive produced by Jarrett Sherman, Daniel Dales, Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie, with Shane Kinnear serving as co-executive producer and Cal Coons serving as creative consultant.

New episodes of THE LISTENER are available on demand the day following their television broadcast on the CTV Video Player. Viewers can get the latest news, play the THE LISTENER Vision Buster game, or catch up on episodes from Seasons 1 and 2 on the series web portal at TheListener.CTV.ca. Fans can also visit THE LISTENER Facebook page and follow on Twitter @listenertv) for show updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes videos from series stars Ennis Esmer (Oz Bey) and Rainbow Sun Francks (Dev 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 and lead broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network's website at ctv.ca.

About Smokebomb Entertainment
Smokebomb Entertainment is the award-winning digital media division of leading producer, creator and distributor Shaftesbury. Smokebomb develops and produces original multiplatform series as well as companion experiences for Shaftesbury's slate of television properties. Recent projects include the International Digital Emmy-nominated Curse of the Lost Pharaohs, a web series extension of Murdoch Mysteries; Totally Amp'd, the first mobile app series for kids and tweens; and State of Syn, an innovative science fiction digital project starring Jewel Staite and David Hewlett. smokebomb.ca

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter: 
@CTV_Television
@listenertv
@heyennisshutup

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ctv
https://www.facebook.com/CTV.TheListener

Image with caption: "Ennis Esmer and Craig Olejnik in SWITCH (CNW Group/Bell Media)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120807_C5376_PHOTO_EN_16685.jpg

SOURCE: Bell Media

Emily Alonzo, Bell Media Digital, 416.384.2664 or [email protected]
Carolyn Fell, Bell Media Digital, 416.384.2817 or [email protected]