No Topic is Ever Off-Limits! The Conversations Continue as THE SOCIAL Launches Season 3, Aug. 31 on CTV

- THE SOCIAL is headed south of the border, with various U.S. markets airing the show beginning this fall -

- Season 2 of THE SOCIAL was its biggest yet with double-digit growth over Season 1 -

To tweet this release: http://bmpr.ca/1F2HGbQ

TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2015 /CNW/ - Coming off of its biggest and most buzzworthy season yet, CTV's original daily talk series THE SOCIAL @TheSocialCTV) will kick off its third season with expansion to the U.S. Premiering Monday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. AT) on CTV and the CTV GO app, Season 3 of THE SOCIAL will be seen south of the border in numerous U.S. markets, including San Francisco, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Buffalo. A key player in CTV's #1 daytime lineup, THE SOCIAL saw substantial growth in its second season with an average audience of 253,000, up 42% over the show's first season.

Hosted by moderator Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, relationship expert Cynthia Loyst @cynthialoyst), Canada's foremost gossip blogger Lainey Lui (@LaineyGossip, and entertainment reporter Traci Melchor @stayfabulous) along with Digital Correspondent Jessica Allen (@jessieraeallen), Season 3 of THE SOCIAL will continue to provide loyal fans with more unfiltered discussions on the day's biggest headlines, candid celebrity interviews, and informative lifestyle segments. Viewers are encouraged to follow the lead of the co-hosts in (over-)sharing their opinions on the series' multiple social media platforms.

**Media Note** Download photography of the cast of THE SOCIAL at BellMediaPR.ca

The sophomore season of THE SOCIAL soared with an average audience of 253,000, up 42% over the show's first season, and reached an average of 3.7 million viewers weekly on CTV and CTV Two. THE SOCIAL also saw substantial growth in the key adult demos (+52% A18-34; +67% A18-49; and +57% A25-54), becoming not only the #1 Canadian lifestyle series among A25-54 (tied with CTV's THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW), but also among females 25-54.

After a successful summer syndication test, PPI Releasing, which represents THE SOCIAL in the U.S. market, is set to get the conversation going with viewers in San Francisco, Calif. (KOFY), Buffalo, N.Y. (WNLO), Boise, Idaho (KTRV), Phoenix, Ariz. (KASW), San Antonio, Texas (KCWX), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (KWKB), Macon, Ga. (WPGA), Salisbury, Md. (WMDT), Mason City, Iowa, and Rochester, Minn. (KIMT), and Binghamton, N.Y. (WICZ/WBPN).

THE SOCIAL co-hosts may know each other better than they know themselves, and they share some surprising behind-the-scenes tidbits in this video. Since the conversation always dominates in their friendships on and off the air, here are the topics THE SOCIAL's co-hosts are most looking forward to discussing this season:

• "I think we will continue, and should continue, to talk about race relations between civilians and police officers. Race will also be a recurring topic as it relates to Hollywood, casting, and diversity in movies and television." - Melissa Grelo
• "As THE SOCIAL's resident relationship expert, my favourite topics revolve around love and sexuality. I look forward to exploring more conversations around age-appropriate sex education for kids, because I think that's a topic parents have lots of questions about." - Cynthia Loyst
• "The topics are important, but what I think our audience appreciates is our perspective on the topics. We are four different women, from different backgrounds, with different experiences, and we all approach any topic through the prism of our own individuality - without holding back our opinions, even if they're unpopular. This is how we relate to our viewers. We're telling them that our conversations are their conversations. Having said that, we really don't talk about my hair enough on the show. So let's make that a weekly thing." - Lainey Lui
• "In these fast-moving times where everyone is told to be better at 'multi-tasking' and 'finding a balance,' I think it's really important to learn how to live in the moment. I look forward to diving into a discussion on the art of mindfulness and showing how paying attention with flexibility, openness, and curiosity can have a profound impact on every aspect of our lives. As well, I feel that a look at how to stage a comeback or reinvention after a huge life event - like divorce, death, or job loss - would be helpful and relevant for our viewers, whatever stage of life they're at." - Traci Melchor
• "The federal election! It's the longest campaign in our country's history! So we'll have at least a couple of months to follow and comment on what's happening." - Jess Allen, Digital Correspondent

THE SOCIAL airs live weekdays at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. AT) on CTV. Episodes also air at 2 p.m. ET on CTV Two, 6 p.m. ET on M3, and at 9 a.m. ET on E! the day following their broadcast premieres. THE SOCIAL is also available live on CTV GO (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times), as well as on demand across CTV's digital platforms including CTV.ca and TheSocial.ca.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@TheSocialCTV
@melissagrelo
@cynthialoyst
@LaineyGossip 
@stayfabulous
@jessieraeallen

Facebook:
facebook.com/ctv
facebook.com/TheSocial

Instagram:
BellMediaPR
TheSocialCTV

About THE SOCIAL
Co-hosted by Melissa Grelo, Cynthia Loyst, Lainey Lui, and Traci Melchor, with Digital Correspondent Jess Allen, THE SOCIAL brings a fresh, daily perspective on the up-to-the-minute news, pop culture, and lifestyle topics that matter most to Canadians in a socially interactive format. Broadcast live in front of a studio audience, guests who have appeared on THE SOCIAL include Jessica Alba, Drew Barrymore, Zach Braff, Kelly Clarkson, John Cleese, Lena Dunham, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Daniel Radcliffe, and Chris Tucker. THE SOCIAL is produced by Bell Media Production, and Michelle Crespi is Executive Producer. Nanci Maclean is Vice-President, Bell Media Production. Mike Cosentino is Head, Programming, CTV Networks and CraveTV. Randy Lennox is President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media.

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 14 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 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.

Source: Numeris (BBM Canada) Total Canada, FWS Season (Sept. 22, 2014 - May 24, 2015), final data.

SOURCE CTV

Tanya Koivusalo, CTV Networks, 416.384.2664 or [email protected]
Christy Sullivan, CTV Networks, 416.384.3624 or [email protected]