Closing Ceremony of 2010 Paralympic Winter Games To Air Live on CTV and RDS,
This Sunday

VANCOUVER, March 16 /CNW/ - As part of its commitment to new standards in Paralympic Games coverage, CTV Inc. announced today it will televise live coverage of the Closing Ceremony from the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in both English and French.

Taking place in Whistler, BC, the Closing Ceremony will air across Canada on Sunday, March 21 at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET in English on CTV and in French on RDS. Brian Williams will anchor for CTV alongside three-time Paralympic Games gold medallist Marni Abbott-Peter. On RDS, Claude Mailhot and Claudine Douville will host.

With Sunday's broadcast, the total coverage delivered by CTV, in partnership with Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, is a record 60 hours, far surpassing previous commitments by any other Canadian broadcaster.

Throughout the Games, television coverage has included the Opening Ceremony, a daily 90-minute highlights show, as well as live coverage of sledge hockey, marking the first time ever that a Canadian broadcaster has delivered live coverage of the Paralympic Games and events in their entirety from beginning to end.

"Canadians have demonstrated incredible passion and support for our Paralympians as they set new standards for performance and inspiration. This final celebration brings to a close the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, an unforgettable adventure that has captivated our entire nation," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.

"CTV's commitment to live and extensive coverage has been exceptional, not only for the Olympic Games but for the Paralympic Games as well. CTV has set the benchmark for future coverage," said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. "The excitement of world class Paralympic sport has ignited again national pride and an appetite for inspirational athletic performance. Since it started on February 12th, it's been an incredible chapter in our country's history, and now, through CTV, Canadians will join us live to bid farewell to the Paralympians and to 27 days of spectacular Paralympic and Olympic winter sport."

On Saturday, March 20, CTV and RDS will air live coverage in English and French of the highly anticipated sledge hockey gold medal game at 12 noon PT / 3 p.m. ET.

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. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country and owns or has interests in leading national specialty channels, featuring news, sports, factual, arts, entertainment, music, youth and fashion programming. CTV Inc. is owned by CTVglobemedia Inc. Canada's premier multi-media company, which also owns Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. CTV is the official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad. More information about CTV may be found on the network's website at www.ctv.ca.

For further information: Andrea Goldstein, Consortium, [phone], [email protected]; Pamela Mollica, Consortium, [phone], [email protected]; Allie Page, CTV Inc., [phone], [email protected]