CTV Spreads Holiday Cheer as THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE Comes to Town, Nov. 18 on CTV

- Returning Hosts CTV Toronto's Ken Shaw and CP24's Melissa Grelo -
- Log on to CTV.ca/SantaClausParade to check out the latest parade news -

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

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - He's made a list, checked it twice, and is coming to CTV in just a few short weeks. With the holidays just around the corner, CTV announced today the broadcast details for the 108^th SANTA CLAUS PARADE. For a third year in a row, CTV is the exclusive broadcast partner of the annual holiday parade - the world's longest-running children's parade. Returning to anchor the beloved holiday tradition are CTV Toronto's Ken Shaw and CP24's Melissa Grelo. The 90-minute broadcast airs Sunday, Nov. 18 from 4:30-6 p.m., on CTV (5:30-7 p.m. AT on CTV Two Atlantic), and on the go via CTV Mobile equipped cell phones visit CTV.ca/SantaClausParade to confirm local broadcast times). Viewers can relive the festive broadcast on demand on CTV.ca and the CTV iPad App following the broadcast.

Back bigger and better than ever, THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE welcomes a new partnership as the parade joins forces with the CFL to celebrate the 100^th GREY CUP on TSN with a new CFL float featuring the real Grey Cup trophy. This year, viewers can enjoy more than 23 animated floats, hundreds of costumed participants, live bands, clowns, personalities, and of course - the big man in red himself, and Mrs. Claus. The CTV broadcast takes viewers inside the holiday magic of THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE as crew members, camera operators, and the CTV chopper work together to give those at home the best seat at the parade.

This year's broadcast also includes CTV exclusive Canadian yuletide greetings from some of the biggest stars in entertainment, including global superstar Taylor Swift, pop sensation Adam Lambert, THE X FACTOR's Demi Lovato, international chart-topper Carly Rae Jepsen, ONCE UPON A TIME star Lana Parrilla, teen pop star Cody Simpson, TV's most trusted doctor, DR. OZ, and Erica Durance from CTV's SAVING HOPE, to name a few.

"There is no better way to kick off the holidays than to sit back and watch a beloved family tradition," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "Back for a third year in a row, the CTV broadcast of THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE brings the holiday spirit to families across the country, capturing the best magical moments from the parade."

Bell Media's cross-promotional resources supporting THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE broadcast include CANADA AM, CTV News Toronto, and ETALK, with ongoing stories about parade volunteers, behind-the-scenes footage from Santa's workshop, and fun facts about float building. Plus, leading up to the CTV's parade broadcast, CP24 will feature live highlights in advance, as well as day-of coverage.

But the festive support does not end there! In addition to on-air coverage, CTV has brought back CTV.ca/SantaClausParade - a special website where visitors can find a downloadable map of the parade route, and a printable colouring book, plus catch up on the latest THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE news, and take a trip down memory lane with photos from last year's parade. After the parade, viewers can stream the parade footage on-demand and watch exclusive video content created by CTV. CP24 has also created a Santa hub that can be accessed through cp24.com - featuring links to handy parade tips, a festive colouring book, and a photo gallery preview of the parade.

The Twitterverse is also invited to get in the holiday spirit by joining @CTV_Television for a Retweet to Win contest on Friday, November 16.

About The Santa Claus Parade
The Santa Claus Parade is the largest parade in Canada and the most popular holiday parade of its kind in the world. More information on the Parade, including a detailed map of the Parade route, can be found at thesantaclausparade.com.

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.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter:
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@CP24
@TOSanta - Official Parade Twitter account
@melissagrelo - Melissa Grelo
@KenShawCTV - Ken Shaw

Facebook:
facebook.com/ctv
facebook.com/TOSantaParade

SOURCE: CTV

Jacqui VanSickle, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.5091 or [email protected]
Allie Page, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.4596 or [email protected]