Touchdown! CTV's MASTERCHEF CANADA Scores January 20 Kickoff and SUPER BOWL Stunt

- Homegrown version of iconic culinary series to anchor CTV's mid-season schedule -
- First-Ever Elimination Episode in third week gets coveted post-SUPER BOWL time slot -

To tweet this release: MasterChef Canada premieres Jan 20 8ET on CTV #MCC @MasterChefCDA http://bit.ly/1jtsJEl

TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Hot on the heels of fall's #1 new reality program MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, and following MASTERCHEF's most successful season ever, CTV announced last night that its homegrown version of the culinary competition series MASTERCHEF CANADA is set to quarterback CTV's mid-season schedule. Revealed during the 101^st GREY CUP broadcast on TSN, the Canadian edition of the iconic international format airs Mondays at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CT beginning Jan. 20 on CTV and CTV GO. Featuring distinguished Canadian culinary experts Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile as judges, the one-hour series celebrates a passion for food, cooking, and the diversity of Canadian cuisine. CTV also confirmed that MASTERCHEF CANADA has been awarded the post-SUPER BOWL XLVIII timeslot for its first elimination episode, airing Sunday, Feb. 2 on CTV. This will mark the third year that CTV has held the most coveted timeslot in television for a Canadian series.

"One of the year's most-watched events, TSN's GREY CUP broadcast is an ideal platform to announce the debut of Canada's next smash hit series," said Phil King, President, CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming. "And to provide even more exposure for this all-Canadian series, we're happy to provide MASTERCHEF CANADA with the coveted post-SUPER BOWL position in February."

"We are delighted that CTV is giving MASTERCHEF CANADA such a massive kickoff for this series," said Guy O'Sullivan, President of Proper Television. "We're excited to give Canadians a truly great homegrown edition of this great format loved worldwide."

**Media Note** Download photography of the MASTERCHEF CANADA Judges at BellMediaPR.ca.

In the premiere episode (Monday, January 20 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT), 50 home cooks chosen from thousands of applicants across the country begin their quest to become Canada's first ever MasterChef. Each home cook must present their signature dish to esteemed judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile. As friends and family cheer on the amateur cooks, only those with the most impressive dishes will be given a coveted white apron and an opportunity to move forward in the competition.

As previously announced, Kraft has signed on as the premiere sponsor of MASTERCHEF CANADA. Additional details including the grand prize and the reveal of the Top 50 home cooks will be announced in the coming weeks.

MASTERCHEF CANADA is produced by Proper Television in association with CTV. President of Proper Television, Guy O'Sullivan executive produces MASTERCHEF CANADA, along with Proper's Vice-President and Creative Director, Cathie James. Shine America's Paul Franklin along with Judy Smart are Creative Consultants. Robin Johnston is Director, Independent Productions, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King is President, CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
@MasterChefCDA
#MCC
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@MichaelBonacini
@TheDemonChef
@ClaudioAprile

Facebook:
Facebook.com/CTV

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, THE LISTENER, MOTIVE, the #1 new Canadian scripted series of the 2012/13 season, and THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the record-breaking, Canadian-produced complementary version of the hit international series. CTV is also home to drama series PLAYED, and premiering in the 2013/14 season, multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, and hit international format MASTERCHEF CANADA. Among the scripted series on Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, the recently renewed ORPHAN BLACK, CSA-winning CALL ME FITZ, and upcoming dramas BITTEN, SENSITIVE SKIN, 19-2, and KILLJOYS. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to reality series such as BRAVE NEW GIRLS, game shows MATCH GAME and POP QUIZ, and factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others. So far in 2013, Bell Media has ordered 24 original Canadian series and currently has 74 projects in various stages of development.

About Shine International
Shine International is the sales and distribution arm of Shine Group and focuses on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and non-scripted formats and tape. The company distributes programming from Shine Group's growing library of programming along with an array of programming acquired from independent producers and major primetime broadcasters, to more than 150 countries worldwide. Shine International is a leader in handling global rights to unscripted formats including The Biggest Loser (airing in 30 countries), One Born Every Minute, Minute To Win It, Clash of the Choirs and MasterChef, which is now licensed in over 40 countries and airs in 200 territories; and a scripted catalogue that boasts the critically-acclaimed Broadchurch, Utopia and In the Flesh, new sit-com Vicious and the forthcoming Shine America and FX co-production of The Bridge. www.shineinternational.com

About Proper Television
Proper Television is a leading provider of factual entertainment, reality, documentary and docu-dramas for Canadian, US and International markets. Headed by former BBC director Guy O'Sullivan, Proper Television has earned a distinguished reputation for creating original series and adapting international formats including MasterChef Canada, Canada's Worst Driver, Come Dine with Me Canada, and Storage Wars Canada. Proper Television's shows and formats are sold internationally by newly formed Proper Rights. 

About CTV
CTV is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network's website at CTV.ca.

Source: BBM Canada, Summer 2012: May 27-Sept 15, 2013, Fall 2013: Sept 23-Nov 17, 2013

SOURCE: CTV

Carolyn Fell, CTV, 416.384.2817 or [email protected]
Emily Alonzo, CTV, 416.384.2664 or [email protected]
Meghan Hardy, Proper Television, 416.598.2500 x.485 or [email protected]