NBC To Become U.S. Broadcaster For New CTV Drama Series SAVING HOPE

- Series is from award-winning producers Ilana Frank and David Wellington -
- Principal photography set to begin March 12 in Toronto -
- Series set for summer debut on CTV and NBC -

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LOS ANGELES/TORONTO, March 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne) and Canada's #1 television network CTV are proud to jointly announce that NBC has come on board as the U. S. broadcaster of Ilana C Frank Films' new one-hour original drama series, SAVING HOPE. In November, CTV announced it had ordered 12 one-hour episodes of the series, joining a pilot shot last summer. Premiering this summer on CTV and NBC, principal photography is set to begin March 12 in Toronto.

In addition to acting as the deficit financier, eOne will also handle the international television distribution of the series in all media including all television, DVD/Blu-ray, VOD and digital exploitation.

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

Erica Durance stars as Dr. Alex Reid in SAVING HOPE

"With NBC now on board, this is another huge success for Bell Media's independent production team and demonstrates yet again our commitment to producing high-calibre, engaging and compelling original programming," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming & Sports. "This captivating new series is sure to resonate with Canadian viewers as well as viewers south of the border."

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

In SAVING HOPE, when charismatic Chief of Surgery Charlie Harris (Shanks) at Toronto's Hope-Zion Hospital ends up in a coma, he leaves the hospital in chaos - and his fiancée and fellow surgeon, Alex Reid (Durance), in a state of shock. Along with newly-arrived star surgeon, Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Alex races to save Harris' life. As the action unfolds, comatose Dr. Harris explores the hospital halls in "spirit" form, not sure if he's a ghost or a figment of his own imagination. Reid, along with her fellow doctors, press on to save his life and those of their other patients, as they deal with the complicated and courageous decisions that are made in their daily struggle to keep hope alive.

SAVING HOPE is produced by Ilana C Frank Films ("ICFF") 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 & Sports.

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, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 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 20,000 film and television titles, 2,500 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.

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.

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has produced some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming in partnership with Canadian independent producers, including, most recently, ratings success stories FLASHPOINT and THE LISTENER, Emmy Award-winning period drama THE BORGIAS, international hit DEGRASSI, Gemini Award-winning comedy TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, sci-fi fan favourite SANCTUARY, critically acclaimed sketch comedy series PICNICFACE, upcoming theatre docu-series WAY OFF BROADWAY, mythological action/adventure series PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD, and new young adult drama THE L.A. COMPLEX, which was recently acquired by The CW. Bell Media has also ordered the two-hour drama pilot, BOREALIS, and the television feature THE HORSES OF MCBRIDE.

CTV/Bell Media
Laura Heath Potter, Director, Communications, Bell Media, 416.384.4633 or
[email protected]

Jim Quan, Manager, Communications, CTV, CTV Two, 416.384.5311 or
[email protected]

NBC
Lauren Roseman, NBC Entertainment Publicity, 212.664.5236 or [email protected]

eOne

Lisa Wookey, Entertainment One, 416 646 2400 x326 or [email protected] 
Pam Wilson, Ink Media Corporation, 661.257.9020 or [email protected]