CTV Launches 42nd Season of QUESTION PERIOD with Kevin Newman, Sunday, Sept. 9

- #ctvqp: New look featuring live Twitter wall, input from social.ctvnews.ca, and partnership with online news source iPolitics.ca, adds digital dimension -
- Newman invites new faces to popular panel "The Scrum" -

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/RD1D37

TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - CTV's QUESTION PERIOD launches an impressive 42nd season with renowned Canadian journalist Kevin Newman at the helm on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. ET. Newman joined Canada's landmark political television program in 2011 as Co-Host, marking his return to television and to Parliament Hill. Over the last year, QUESTION PERIOD has found a new foothold with younger audiences (A18-34), as illustrated by the show's 40% year over year audience growth in this demographic.

By including online momentum and new faces to the political debate, this season of QUESTION PERIOD - Canada's longest running political program - has a new look and feel, delivering audiences a better view of Parliament Hill. Popular segment "The Scrum" will continue to be the most vibrant political panel on TV.

** Media Note ** Download photos of Kevin Newman at bellmediapr.ca

As CTV News' Digital News Evangelist, Newman aims to bridge the digital divide this season, using a live and interactive Twitter wall incorporating live tweets, from prominent politicos and commentators in real time, and connecting with viewers through social.ctvnews.ca. CTV's QUESTION PERIOD has partnered with iPolitics.ca, a new independent online source of political intelligence based in Ottawa, injecting a dose of political tabloid headline amusement into the program with a satirical review of insider stories happening on the Hill.

"QUESTION PERIOD has been at the centre of Canada's great political debates for more than 40 years, earning the trust of viewers for its bold coverage and fresh perspective that is unmatched in the industry," said Wendy Freeman, President, CTV News. "QUESTION PERIOD is in great hands with Kevin Newman and under his guidance, the program will continue to bring viewers the best in political journalism."

"My first story from Parliament Hill was the signing of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, and since then, I've covered seven Prime Ministers," said Kevin Newman, Host of QUESTION PERIOD and Digital News Evangelist, CTV News. "Heading into this season, I'm looking forward to furthering what has been already been built with QUESTION PERIOD: invigorating and informative political debates."

Craig Oliver, Chief Political Correspondent for CTV, announced earlier this year that he would step down from his hosting role on QUESTION PERIOD, but continue to report for CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LISA LAFLAMME and appear on QUESTION PERIOD to offer his trademark commentary on political developments.

In addition to Sundays at 11a.m. ET on CTV, encore presentations of QUESTION PERIOD air Sundays at 5 p.m. ET on CTV News Channel, CTVnews.ca/qp, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and on CTV Two at various times across the country (visit CTVNews.ca/qp for detailed listings).

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter (#ctvqp) -
@ctvqp
@KevinNewmanCTV
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television

Facebook -
http://www.facebook.com/#!/CTVQuestionPeriod
facebook.com/KevinNewmanTV
facebook.com/ctv

About CTV News
CTV News is Canada's most-watched news organization both locally and nationally and has a network of national, international and local news operations. CTV News operations include CTV NEWS CHANNEL, BNN - Business News Network, CP24, and information programming, including CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LISA LAFLAMME, CANADA AM, W5, POWER PLAY and QUESTION PERIOD. With a perspective that is distinctly Canadian, CTV News brings Canadians the international and domestic news stories of the day and is the #1 news organization in Canada.

About CTV
CTV is 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 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. *Source: BBM Canada, 8/29/2011 to 8/12/2012 vs. the same weeks last year.

Image with caption: "CTV's QUESTION PERIOD launches an impressive 42nd season with renowned Canadian journalist Kevin Newman at the helm on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. ET. (CNW Group/CTV)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120904_C3611_PHOTO_EN_17463.jpg

SOURCE: CTV

Renee Dupuis, CTV News, 416.384.3154 or [email protected]
Shannon Gallagher, CTV News, 416.384.4623 or [email protected]