CTV Launches SMASH With First-Ever Multi-Platform Advance Screenings, Feb. 3

- Big-buzz new series gets advance three-day preview online, on tablets, on mobile, and on VOD platforms, beginning Feb. 3 -

- Viewers can spread the buzz in advance of television premiere through new social media campaign -

"One of the most … buzzed-about pilot episodes in television history." - Postmedia News

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/xo6DAS

TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - The buzz is building, the news is spreading, and now CTV gives viewers a front row seat to the hottest ticket in town. CTV announced today the curtain rises on an exclusive advance digital screening of the first full episode of SMASH on Super Bowl weekend, beginning Friday, Feb. 3 at 6 a.m. ET until Sunday, Feb. 5 at 12 midnight PT. The advance digital screening will be heavily promoted during one of the most strongly-viewed weekends of the broadcast year, allowing mass sampling of SMASH on the eve of the series' television premiere. When the curtain comes down on the advance screening, viewers can then enjoy SMASH's official opening night Monday, Feb. 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and Friday, Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo!. To learn more about SMASH, click here.

**Media Note** Photography for SMASH is available online at BellMediaPR.ca. Watch a clip from the premiere episode here.

Viewers can jump the line to see the entire first episode of SMASH during the three-day window on the go, or from the comfort of their home, in the following ways:

• ONLINE: On the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca.
• ON TABLETS: On the CTV iPad App and Bell Mobile TV App.
• ON MOBILE: On CTV Mobile, currently available on smartphones, superphones and tablets with Bell Mobile TV.
• ON DEMAND: On Bell Fibe TV On Demand, Rogers on Demand, and Shaw On Demand.
• ON SATELLITE: Available continuously through the free preview period to Bell Satellite TV customers on Channel 805 (in HD) and Channel 305 (in SD).

"CTV's first-ever advance digital screening of a new series is the perfect vehicle to launch SMASH, the most anticipated mid-season program of 2012," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "And to promote it, we've scheduled it during one of the most-watched weekends of the year, allowing us to sample this fantastic new series to as wide an audience as possible, just before its television debut."

Throughout the online and on demand viewing opportunity, @CTV_Television invites viewers to cast their votes for their favourite SMASH Marilyn via Twitter. Viewers can show their support by retweeting @CTV_Television's #TeamIvy or #TeamKaren tweets from their own accounts for the chance to win exclusive SMASH and CTV prize packs.

SMASH.CTV.ca is the online destination for all things SMASH. The site includes video interviews with the series stars, behind-the-scenes videos, episode recaps and photos. New episodes of SMASH will also be available the day following their CTV television broadcast on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca, on the CTV iPad App, and on Bell Mobile TV featuring CTV Mobile.

Celebrating the beauty and heartbreak of Broadway during the creation of a new musical about Marilyn Monroe, the new series from Emmy^® and Academy Award^®-winner Steven Spielberg (War Horse, ER), stars Emmy^® Award-winner Debra Messing (WILL & GRACE) as acclaimed playwright Julia, AMERICAN IDOL alumni Katharine McPhee as up-and-coming star Karen, and Broadway sensation Megan Hilty as established actress Ivy, who are both vying to bring Marilyn to life on stage.

SMASH is the brainchild of executive producer Steven Spielberg. David Marshall Grant (BROTHERS AND SISTERS), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Academy Award^®-winning Chicago, Hairspray), and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (UNITED STATES OF TARA, THE BORGIAS), also serve as executive producers. Original songs are written by Tony^® and Grammy Award^®-winners Marc Shaiman and co-lyricist Scott Wittman, who serve as executive producers as well. SMASH is distributed by NBC Universal Television.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter -
@BellMedia_PR
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
Katharine McPhee - @katharinemcphee
Debra Messing - @DebraLMessing
Megan Hilty - @meganhilty
Raza Jaffrey - @RazaJaffrey
Brian d'Arcy James - @briandarcyjames

Facebook:
facebook.com/ctv

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 and lead broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games. 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.

Christy Sullivan, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.3624 or [email protected]
Allie Page, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.4596 or [email protected]
Carolyn Fell, Bell Media Digital, 416.384.2817 or [email protected]