CTV's Masterful Mid-Season: Two New Series and Three Returning Hits Anchor January Schedule on CTV

- MASTERCHEF CANADA takes a bite out of Monday nights, beginning January 20 -

- New dramatic thriller INTELLIGENCE debuts with non-stop high-tech action, beginning January 7 -

- Runaway hit series THE FOLLOWING returns for Season 2, January 19 -

- THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS^® and SUPER BOWL XLVIII kick-off CTV's stellar winter lineup of TV's most-watched live events -

- Plus premieres of returning favourites and all-new episodes of in-season hits -

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TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - It's a searing start to a cold winter as CTV announced its January schedule for CTV and CTV GO. Headlined by the premiere of MASTERCHEF CANADA (Jan. 20), the homegrown version of the world's #1 culinary television format, January also sees the debut of high-tech thriller INTELLIGENCE (Jan. 7), the return of powerhouse #1 new series THE FOLLOWING (Jan. 19), and the season premiere of Canada's own hit medical drama SAVING HOPE (Jan. 2). As well, THE 71^ST ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS^® (Jan. 12), kicks off a long list of big ticket events on CTV this winter of the winter, including SUPER BOWL XLVIII (Feb. 2). 

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"CTV delivers another powerhouse mid-season schedule, bolstering its original reality slate with the debut of the season's most anticipated new series MASTERCHEF CANADA," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "With big-buzz new series, returning hit favourites, and the electricity of the world's biggest live events, the new year once again brings viewers the very best of television week after week on CTV. "

Highlighting the first wave of CTV's mid-season schedule:

New to the Schedule:

• SAVING HOPE (Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning Jan. 2 on CTV and CTV GO): CTV's original hit drama SAVING HOPE returns for an emotionally charged new season. Airing in the network's prestigious GREY'S ANATOMY timeslot, SAVING HOPE returns with a two-part, two week premiere event. With a shocking death and surprise pregnancy revealed in the season premiere, secrets and scandals begin to take hold of Hope Zion Hospital. It's a tumultuous time for Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance), Dr. Charlie Harris (Michael Shanks) and Dr. Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies), as new romances and complications emerge unleashing a rollercoaster of emotions in the halls of Hope Zion. And will a major turn of events finally push Charlie to admit his biggest secret to Alex? It's more sex, lies, ghosts, and surgery on an all new season of SAVING HOPE.

• INTELLIGENCE (Special preview Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT; airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning Jan. 13 on CTV and CTV GO): Starring Josh Holloway (LOST), the dramatic thriller INTELLIGENCE follows Gabriel, a high-tech intelligence operative enhanced with a super-computer microchip in his brain. With this implant, Gabriel is the first human ever to be connected directly into the global information grid and have complete access to Internet, Wi-Fi, telephone and satellite data. Leading the elite government cyber-security agency created to support him is Director Lillian Strand (Marg Helgenberger, CSI), a straightforward and efficient boss who oversees the unit's missions. As the first supercomputer with a beating heart, Gabriel is the most valuable piece of technology the country has ever created and is the U.S.'s secret weapon.
  
  
• THE FOLLOWING (Special preview, Sunday, Jan. 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, directly following the NFC Championship game; airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning Jan. 27 on CTV and CTV GO): Last year's #1 new series THE FOLLOWING heads into its intense, spellbinding second season on CTV. Created by Kevin Williamson (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES) and starring Golden Globe Award^®-winning actor Kevin Bacon as Ryan Hardy and James Purefoy as Joe Carroll, Season 2 catches up with Hardy in the wake of a horrific new murder spree, which furthers his suspicion that Joe Carroll's reign of terror is far from over. Also starring Shawn Ashmore and Valorie Curry, joining the cast this season are Connie Nielsen (LAW & ORDER: SVU), Jessica Stroup (90210), Sam Underwood (DEXTER) and Tiffany Boone (Beautiful Creatures).
  
  
• MASTERCHEF CANADA (Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT beginning Jan. 20 on CTV and CTV GO): The cooking competition series MASTERCHEF CANADA debuts in January, providing an opportunity for Canadian amateur chefs to develop their culinary skills as they compete for the MASTERCHEF CANADA title. In keeping with the MASTERCHEF format, the contestants will face individual and team-based cooking challenges, which result in one or more home cooks being eliminated each week, until finally Canada's first MASTERCHEF is crowned. The trio of elite Canadians selected to judge the series includes debonair and renowned restaurateur Michael Bonacini, self-proclaimed 'Demon Chef' and international culinary superstar Alvin Leung, and charming creative force Claudio Aprile.

Keeping its eye on the prize, CTV officially kicks off awards season with THE 71^ST ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS^® (Sunday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV).  Broadcast live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, this year's star-studded event celebrates the best in television and film as hilarious hosts Golden Globe-winner Tina Fey and Golden Globe-nominee Amy Poehler rub shoulders with Hollywood's elite.

Home to TV's biggest live events, CTV runs an all-out blitz as it presents SUPER BOWL XLVIII (Sunday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. ET on CTV). Broadcasting live from the MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and featuring a Halftime Show performance from Grammy-winner Bruno Mars, the big ticket event determines the NFL champion for the 2013 season.

Also in January, CTV follows Canada's #1 pop icon in the Canadian broadcast premiere of JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER (Sunday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV). The inspiring true story is a rare inside look at the rise of Justin from street performer in the small town of Stratford, Ontario to internet phenomenon to global super star, culminating with a dream sold out show at the famed Madison Square Garden.

Returning CTV Series:
Singing sensation AMERICAN IDOL makes its mid-season return to CTV Two, featuring host Ryan Seacrest, a new judging panel, including Harry Connick, Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson returning as the new in-house mentor. Season 13 of AMERICAN IDOL begins with an exciting two-night, four-hour premiere Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 16 (8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two and CTV GO).

In January, viewers can also look forward to the return of this fall's hit series on CTV, including the #1 new drama of the season MARVELS AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., fan favourites PERSON OF INTEREST, THE MENTALIST, CASTLE, CRIMINAL MINDS, and GRIMM, in addition to all-new episodes of THE TOMORROW PEOPLE and ARROW.

Thursday's comedy duo of Canada's most-watched program THE BIG BANG THEORY, and TWO AND A HALF MEN also return with new episodes in January.

Viewers can catch up on full episodes of CTV series live and on demand on the CTV GO app and at CTV.ca visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times). Plus, catch exclusive online features, behind-the-scenes extras, and cast interviews for many hit CTV programs.

JANUARY 2014 PREMIERE DATES:
All dates are subject to change: click HERE for the most current list of January premiere dates. All times in ET/PT. Visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times.

Thursday, Jan. 2
THE BIG BANG THEORY at 8 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*
TWO AND A HALF MEN at 8.30 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*
SAVING HOPE at 9 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *SEASON PREMIERE*

Friday, Jan. 3
GRIMM at 9 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*

Sunday, Jan. 5
CASTLE at 9 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*
THE MENTALIST at 10 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*

Monday, Jan. 6
THE GOLDBERGS in a special day and time at 8 p.m., regular timeslot, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. starting Jan. 14 (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*
TROPHY WIFE in a special day and time at 8:30 p.m., regular timeslot, Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. starting Jan. 14 (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*
HOSTAGES at 9p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE*

Tuesday, Jan. 7
MARVELS AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. at 8 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO)
INTELLIGENCE, special preview at 9 p.m., regular timeslot, Mondays at 10 p.m. starting Jan. 13 (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW*
PERSON OF INTEREST at 10 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*

Friday, Jan. 10
THE NEIGHBORS at 8 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*
UNDERCOVER BOSS at 8 p.m. (CTV Two and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*

Sunday, Jan. 12
THE 71^ST ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS^®, Live at 8 p.m. ET (CTV) - *BIG EVENT SPECIAL*

Wednesday, Jan. 15
AMERICAN IDOL at 8 p.m. (CTV Two and CTV GO) - *RETURNING*
CRIMINAL MINDS at 9 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*
CSI at 10 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*

Thursday, Jan. 16
AMERICAN IDOL at 8 p.m. (CTV Two and CTV GO) - *RETURNING*

Sunday, Jan. 19
THE FOLLOWING at 10 p.m., regular timeslot, Mondays at 9 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *RETURNING*

Monday, Jan. 20
MASTERCHEF CANADA at 8 p.m. (CTV and CTV GO) - *NEW*
HOLLYWOOD GAME NIGHT at 8 p.m. (CTV Two and CTV GO) - *SEASON PREMIERE*

Thursday, Jan. 23
REIGN at 9 p.m. (CTV Two and CTV GO) - *NEW EPISODE*

Sunday, Jan. 26
JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER at 7 p.m. ET (CTV and CTV GO) - *CANADIAN BROADCAST PREMIERE*

Sunday , Feb. 2
SUPER BOWL XLVIII at 6 p.m. ET (CTV) - *BIG EVENT SPECIAL*

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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, digital, and Out-of-Home. Bell Media is part of 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, 2012-13: Sept 24, 2012 - May 26, 2013

SOURCE: CTV

Tonia Addison, CTV, 416.384.2194 or [email protected]
Matthew Almeida, CTV, 416.384.2629 or [email protected]
Jacqui VanSickle, CTV, 416.384.5091 or [email protected]
Emily Alonzo, CTV, 416.384.2664 or [email protected]