CTV Supports Premiere of Original Medical Drama SAVING HOPE With Unparalleled Multiplatform Experience

- CTV.ca/SavingHope and the CTV App are home to an original web series, sneak peek trailers, and on demand episodes -
- A music lounge, scripted episodic content, and more available exclusively at CTV.ca/Saving Hope -
To Tweet This Release: http://bit.ly/KfRE0C #SavingHope #CTV

TORONTO, May 28, 2012 /CNW/ - CTV's new original drama series SAVING HOPE, premiering in the medical-drama sweet spot on Thursday, June 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and NBC, is setting a new benchmark for companion content and audience interaction. Viewers will be able to immerse themselves in the SAVING HOPE characters and storylines with a full range of companion content. The transmedia execution is produced by CTV's Digital Production Unit, which is embedded with production for the duration of filming.

"All of the SAVING HOPE digital elements were developed alongside show production utilizing the series writers and creators as well as cast and sets for a seamless extension of the show for our viewers," said Jon Taylor, Senior Director of Content, Bell Media Digital. "With a goal of developing viewer loyalty and driving new viewers, this is one of the most extensive multiplatform and companion content executions we've ever done."

The hubs of the SAVING HOPE experience are CTV.ca/SavingHope and the CTV App which will feature:

• An original web-only series starring Hope-Zion's charming psychiatrist Gavin Murphy (Kristopher Turner) and surgical resident Maggie Lin (Julia Taylor Ross) called ASK GAVIN where they dole out advice in response to anonymous letters submitted by the Hope-Zion staff. ASK GAVIN premieres following the television premiere on Thursday, June 7, with one new episode each week.
• Sneak peek preview trailers for each episode and original video featurettes.
• Episodes on demand after they air.
• A features section with episode recaps, events, and exclusive online content rollout.
• Exclusive interviews with SAVING HOPE cast.
• Episodic photography.
• Cast quizzes, contests, polls and more.

Viewers can also access a music lounge which features the songs from each episode, interviews with featured artists and music downloads, and Letters to Charlie, a touching blog providing a glimpse into Alex Reid's (Erica Durance) personal experience through letters she writes to her comatose fiancé Charlie while awaiting his fate, exclusively at CTV.ca/SavingHope.

SAVING HOPE has a dedicated Twitter feed (@SavingHopeTV, a character Twitter feed @SavingHopeZ) with insights and gossip from an insider at Hope-Zion Hospital, and a Facebook page with sneak peeks and on-set news. Plus, fans can join @CTV_Television as they live-tweet the premiere. The CTV App will also feature live chats with series stars Erica Durance, Michael Shanks and Daniel Gillies and curated tweets throughout the season.

**Media Note** Photography for SAVING HOPE is available online at BellMediaPR.ca.

Starring Erica Durance (SMALLVILLE), Michael Shanks (STARGATE SG1), (Daniel Gillies, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Huse Madhavji (COMBAT HOSPITAL, STAR! DAILY), Julia Taylor-Ross (ROOKIE BLUE), and Kristopher Turner (ROOKIE BLUE, THE LISTENER), SAVING HOPE is from acclaimed Gemini award-winning producers Ilana Frank and David Wellington (THE ELEVENTH HOUR, WOULD BE KINGS, ROOKIE BLUE).

SAVING HOPE is produced by Ilana C Frank Films ("ICF Films") with Entertainment One, in association with CTV and NBC. The series is executive produced by Ilana Frank and David Wellington for ICFF, John Morayniss (THE FIRM, HAVEN) for Entertainment One and Lesley Harrison. Executive Producers and Showrunners are Morwyn Brebner (ROOKIE BLUE) and Aaron Martin (BEING ERICA). The series was created by Malcolm MacRury (CRASH AND BURN, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) and Morwyn Brebner. David Wellington directed 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.

Social Media:

Twitter:
@SavingHopeTV
@SavingHopeZ
@CTV_Television
@MichaelShanks
@danieljgillies
@kristopherturn
@HuseM
@juliataylorross

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

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

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

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.

Image with caption: "SAVING HOPE show page at CTV.ca/SavingHope (CNW Group/CTV)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120528_C3112_PHOTO_EN_14222.jpg

Emily Alonzo, Publicist, Bell Media Digital, 416.384.2664 or [email protected]
Matthew Almeida, Publicist, Bell Media, 416.384.2629 or [email protected]