Brooklyn Crowned as YTV's The Next Star

#TNS5

Over 3 million votes cast to determine Season 5 winner

TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Tonight, during a live telecast from Canada's Wonderland, with over 3 million votes cast, 14-year-old Brooklyn from Chatham, Ontario has been chosen as the winner of YTV's The Next Star by Canadians. After weeks of competition and musical challenges, Brooklyn will take home a prize package which includes a two song recording agreement (songs to be distributed by Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc.), a $5,000 shopping spree at Sears Canada and an Epiphone Masterbilt Acoustic Guitar and swag courtesy of Gibson Guitar.

Performing their own original singles as well as an original group single, Brooklyn, featuring a rap solo from Nate Hall, and fellow Top 6 finalists Amer (15), Darren (11), Grace (16), Issy 15 and Ryan (15) had fans cheering for more during the 90-minute season finale. Audiences were also treated to performances by Cher Lloyd, Shawn Desman and Neverest. Other guests who attended the event include Madison Pettis, Torri Webster, Nathan McLeod, Michael Murphy and Jake Goodman from the live-action comedy Life With Boys, ZOINK'D! host Adam Christie and YTV personalities Carlos and Andy.

Over the past summer, every Monday at 7 p.m. on YTV, The Next Star has followed these aspiring singers as they were mentored by professionals on how to navigate through different aspects of the music industry. Host Adamo Ruggiero, along with judges Keshia Chanté, Tara Oram and Mark Spicoluk, gave guidance and advice to the young talent throughout their journey.

Fans can look forward to a special episode of The Next Star following Brooklyn the day after their big win as they are interviewed by the media and prepare for their new-found stardom (airdate to be confirmed).

The Next Star Season 5 album featuring the Top 6 original singles is currently available on iTunes and the music videos can been seen on YTV.

Tricon Films & Television is one of North America's leading producers and distributors. With offices in Toronto and Los Angeles, Tricon has quickly emerged as a prominent supplier of award-winning factual and scripted programming that continues to be successful around the world. Tricon's distribution arm features a broad catalogue of high quality, multi-platform content including primetime scripted drama and comedy, kids, lifestyle, factual and documentary series and specials. www.triconfilms.com

Seen in over 11 million homes across Canada, YTV is a leading entertainment brand for kids. YTV offers quality entertainment for kids and families with hit Nickelodeon series, nighttime drama for teens, blockbuster movies and original Canadian programming. YTV reaches its viewers online at YTV.com and in local communities with the traveling road show WOW!. Visit www.ytv.com .

YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The Company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

For high-resolution images, please visit: http://mediacentre.corusent.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter @TheNextStar_5 and Facebook Facebook.com/TheNextStarYTV                                         

Image with caption: "14-year-old Brooklyn from Chatham, Ontario, winner of YTV's The Next Star Season 5. (CNW Group/YTV Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120923_C8935_PHOTO_EN_18319.jpg

SOURCE: YTV Canada Inc.

Danielle Sefton    
Corus Entertainment       
416.479.6094            
[email protected]

Andrea McLoughlin  
Holmes Creative Communications 
416.628.5609 
[email protected]