CTV Orders Third Season of Hit Canadian Drama SAVING HOPE

- Network orders 18 new episodes from ICF Films and Entertainment One -

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

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Continuing its commitment and investment in more Canadian television programming, CTV announced today the order of a third season of hit original drama series, SAVING HOPE from Ilana Frank's ICF Films and leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne). The broadcaster has ordered 18 new episodes bringing the series total to 49 episodes. With the production of Season 3 set to begin in the spring, the announcement comes ahead of the winter season premiere coming in January. A Top 15 program among total viewers and all key adult demos when Season 2 aired last summer, SAVING HOPE averaged an impressive 1.3 million viewers each week.

"The viewer response to the summer season left little doubt that we needed to sign up for more," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "CTV is proud to give fans another exciting and dramatic season to look forward to, even before the winter premiere this January."

"CTV has shown great confidence in this show, and we're thrilled to see that yet again with this order for a third season," said Ilana Frank, Executive Producer. "We can't wait to wrap our heads around the continuing development of these deep and interesting characters, and follow their stories through Hope Zee for another year."

** Media Note ** Download photos from SAVING HOPE at BellMediaPR.ca

Saving Hope stars 2013 Canadian Screen Award-nominee Erica Durance (SMALLVILLE), Michael Shanks (STARGATE ATLANTIS), Daniel Gillies (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), 2013 Canadian Screen Award-winner Wendy Crewson (REVENGE), Huse Madhavji (CALL ME FITZ), Julia Taylor-Ross (ROOKIE BLUE), Kristopher Turner (THE LISTENER), Michelle Nolden (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE), and Benjamin Ayres (LESS THAN KIND).

Viewers can catch up on the doctors of Hope Zion Hospital in the exclusive, digital companion series LAST CALL available on CTV.ca/SavingHopeLastCall. LAST CALL examines the more personal and less explored stories of the doctors, as they confess their problems and share secrets over drinks after their rounds. 

SAVING HOPE is produced by Ilana C Frank Films (ICF Films) with Entertainment One Television (eOne), in association with CTV. The series is executive produced by Ilana Frank and David Wellington for ICF Films, John Morayniss (HELL ON WHEELS, KLONDIKE, HAVEN) for eOne and Lesley Harrison. Morwyn Brebner (ROOKIE BLUE) and Adam Pettle (ROOKIE BLUE) are Executive Producers and Showrunners. The series was created by Malcolm MacRury (CRASH AND BURN, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) and Morwyn Brebner. David Wellington won a Directors Guild of Canada award for direction of the pilot. For Bell Media, Trish Williams is Director, Drama, Independent Production; Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production; Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks; Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports. All distribution rights are handled by eOne.

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, THE LISTENER, MOTIVE, the #1 new Canadian scripted series of the 2012/13 season, and THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the record-breaking, Canadian-produced complementary version of the hit international series. CTV is also home to drama series PLAYED, and premiering in the 2013/14 season, multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, and hit international format MASTERCHEF CANADA. Among the scripted series on Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, the recently renewed ORPHAN BLACK, CSA-winning CALL ME FITZ, and upcoming dramas BITTEN, SENSITIVE SKIN, 19-2, and KILLJOYS. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to reality series such as BRAVE NEW GIRLS, game shows MATCH GAME and POP QUIZ, and factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others. So far in 2013, Bell Media has ordered 24 original Canadian series and currently has 74 projects in various stages of development.

About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content.  The company's comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Spain, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,800 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks. http://www.entertainmentone.com/

About CTV
CTV is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. 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.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

CTV:
Twitter:
@CTV_Television
@CTV_PR

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ctv

SAVING HOPE:

Twitter:
@SavingHopeTV
Erica Durance: @ED_DURANCE
Michael Shanks: @MichaelShanks
Daniel Gillies: @danieljgillies
Huse Madhavji: @HuseM
Kristopher Turner: @kristopherturn
Julia Taylor-Ross: @juliataylorross
Benjamin Ayres: @BenjaminAyres

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SavingHopeTV

Tumblr:
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/saving+hope

Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/CTVTelevision/saving-hope/

Source: BBM Canada, May 27 - Sep 15, 2013

SOURCE: CTV

Matthew Almeida, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.2629 or [email protected]
Carolyn Fell, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.2817 or [email protected]