CTV announced today the Fall 2008 schedule for CTV, Canada’s #1 network, along with the first ever cross-country, Fall 2008 Schedule for “A” (formerly A-Channel). Programmed to complement one another with more opportunities for viewers and advertisers, the two conventional schedules feature Canada’s most-watched programs, breakthrough freshmen hits and seven, new big buzz series. The two schedules will be presented at CTV Inc.’s 2008 Upfront Presentation this afternoon at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts by Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.
The announcement comes as CTV ends the 2007/08 broadcast season as Canada’s #1 network among total viewers for the seventh consecutive year and Canada’s #1 network among A25-54 and A18-49 for the sixth year in a row. CTV increased its distance from its nearest rival as the season progressed, growing its lead through the strike. By the post-strike period, CTV had more than double the lead of its competition.* Momentum was also seen with CTV’s presence in Canada’s Top 20, ending the year with 18 of the Top 20 programs among total viewers, 16 of the Top 20 programs among A25-54 and 14 of the Top 20 programs among A18-49, all up two positions versus last year.**
“In a challenging season, CTV has actually delivered more hits than ever, growing by two spots to claim 18 of the Top 20 programs in Canada,” said Boyce, regarding the CTV schedule. “Those 18 programs are all back. CTV has the most stable schedule in North American broadcasting. Nevertheless, as we did during the strike, we will continue to engage viewers with fresh new content in the few openings we have available.”
“As well, we’ve made a conscious, deliberate investment in the “A” schedule,” Boyce continued. “Built to complement the CTV schedule with even more, can’t-miss programs, it’s a schedule designed to compete, immediately, as one of the best conventional grids out there.”
Seven new series join CTV and “A”. They are: Flashpoint (CTV), the Canadian-produced series to be simulcast with CBS that follows an elite team of police as they thwart the most heinous of crimes at the moment they get out of hand; the world premiere of The Listener (CTV), the Canadian-produced series airing in the U.S. on NBC and in 175 other countries, tracing the life of a young man with a very special talent – the ability to read minds; So You Think You Can Dance Canada (CTV), the all-new Canadian version of the hit international format; Fringe (“A”), the most talked about series for fall, a sci-fi mystery/drama from the mind of J.J. Abrams (Lost), starring Joshua Jackson; Eleventh Hour (“A”), the gripping Jerry Bruckheimer drama about what can happen when biology is placed in the wrong hands, starring Rufus Sewell; The Mentalist (“A”), an immensely appealing procedural about a man who uses his extraordinary observational skills to solve crimes, starring Simon Baker; and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (CTV), the ground-breaking new series from Lucasfilm Animation that showcases an astonishing new look and feel to everyone’s favourite galaxy far, far away.
CTV also announced today the first projects on its development slate for the 2008/09 season, including a pilot for a new comedy series from Corner Gas creator Brent Butt. Also announced were The Marilyn Denis Show, a daytime series starring Gemini Award winner and CHUM FM personality Marilyn Denis (for CTV), and an all-new season of Canada’s Next Top Model (for “A”). The new projects join Spectacle, the previously announced CTV music/talk series starring Elvis Costello, currently in production and set to premiere later this year. Additional projects will be announced later.
About the CTV Schedule
CTV finished the season for the seventh year in a row as Canada’s #1 network among total viewers. CTV also swept the two key advertiser demos (A25-54, A18-49) for the sixth consecutive year.
The result is an established, powerhouse schedule that requires little tinkering. Returning to CTV next season are a long list of Canada’s favourite programs, including Canada’s #1 series overall and #1 reality series American Idol, Canada’s #1 drama Grey’s Anatomy, and Canada’s #1 comedy, Corner Gas, which comes back for its sixth and final season.
Also returning to CTV are an enviable list of Canada’s most-watched, Top 20 series, including: CSI: Miami (#6), CSI: NY (#7), Criminal Minds (#8), Desperate Housewives (#9), CSI (#10), Amazing Race (#11), Dancing With the Stars (#12 & #13), Law & Order (#14), ER (#15), Law & Order: SVU (#16), Lost (#17) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (#20). Canada’s only breakout hit from last season, Private Practice (#19), moves to “A” this fall.
So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Flashpoint and The Listener join all-new seasons of Corner Gas and Degrassi: The Next Generation on a CTV fall line-up featuring the most original Canadian series in many years.
“Our strategy is to originate more of our own programs, in order to better control our destiny,” said Ivan Fecan, President and Chief Executive Officer, CTVglobemedia and Chief Executive Officer, CTV Inc.
CTV is also home to television’s biggest events in 2008/09, including Canada’s most-watched television broadcasts, The 81st Annual Academy Awards and Super Bowl XLIII, live from Tampa. Additional big-ticket specials include The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards, The 66th Annual Golden Globes, The 2009 JUNO Awards from Vancouver, Canada’s Walk of Fame and The Scotiabank Giller Prize.
Original CTV movies scheduled to air in 2008/09 include Anne of Green Gables:
A New Beginning, The Terrorist Next Door, She Drives Me Crazy, Of Murder and Memory, The Bridge, The Good Times are Killing Me and Playing for Keeps (working title).
Canada’s #1 entertainment newsmagazine, eTalk, continues along with Canada AM,
W-FIVE, Question Period, the CTV Evening News and Canada’s most-watched newscast, CTV National News With Lloyd Robertson. Additionally, CTV News will present a long list of new, original documentaries.
About the “A” Schedule
The “A” schedule is a fresh, dynamic primetime line-up positioned to make its mark in Canada’s two largest television markets while reaching new viewers in Atlantic Canada and Alberta. With 75% of weeknight primetime in simulcast, the “A” schedule features proven winners, critical favourites and the most-anticipated new programs of the fall.
The “A” schedule will be seen by a wider audience than ever before beginning this fall. CTV’s ASN channel in Atlantic Canada will be rebranded as “A” and feature the full “A” line-up seen in Ontario and British Columbia. As well, Alberta’s ACCESS channel will also feature the “A” line-up in certain primetime hours.
In addition to this fall’s most-talked about programs, including Fringe, Eleventh Hour and The Mentalist, the “A” schedule features several of last season’s breakout hits. The only new series from last season to break the Top 20, Private Practice (#19), moves to “A” along with mid-season hit Moment of Truth and Gossip Girl, last fall’s #1 new series for teens.
The “A” schedule is also a critically acclaimed line-up of some of television’s most well-reviewed programs, including Pushing Daisies, Mad Men and Samantha Who?, recently named by the Los Angeles Times as one of last season’s breakthrough series. Also back for their sophomore seasons on “A” are Jonny Lee Miller in Eli Stone; primetime’s newest soap opera, Dirty Sexy Money; and mid-season hit Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles.
Homegrown comedies Robson Arms, Comedy Now! and Comedy Inc. round out “A”’s must-see line-up along with Two and a Half Men, Wife Swap, Don’t Forget the Lyrics and the original user-generated video program, America’s Funniest Home Videos.
Visit the Channels & Schedules page on falltvpreview.com to view CTV, A and other Canadian as well as American networks fall primetime schedule.