SPACE, CTV and Fox International Channels order Season 2 of THE LISTENER

TORONTO , Nov. 17 /CNW/ - Shaftesbury Films is thrilled to announce its one-hour drama series THE LISTENER has been renewed for a second season by SPACE, CTV, and Fox International Channels (FIC). Shine International will be distributing. Starring Craig Olejnik as ' Toby Logan ', THE LISTENER follows the adventures of a 25-year-old telepathic paramedic as he moves from crisis to crisis.

"THE LISTENER is proof positive that SPACE and CTV are committed to creating and supporting successful and popular television," said Christina Jennings , Chairman and CEO, Shaftesbury Films. "Their renewed commitment to THE LISTENER ensures the international partnership led by Fox International Channels and Shine International for the next 13 episodes of this hit Canadian series."

"The first season of THE LISTENER delivered solid numbers in many of our markets," said Sharon Tal Yguado, SVP of Content Development at Fox International Channels (FIC). "We are excited about a second season and look forward to working with our creative partners to continue to develop the show to its maximum potential."

"Thanks to our partnership with Shaftesbury and Fox International, we created a new and different financing model that brought THE LISTENER to viewers in every country of the world. We're excited to continue this partnership on Season 2 of THE LISTENER and we look forward to working with our partners to ensure the ongoing success of the series," said John Pollak , Executive Vice President of Shine International.

Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik- The Timekeeper, In God's Country) is THE LISTENER, a 25-year-old telepathic paramedic. His sole confidant and mentor Dr. Ray Mercer (Colm Feore, 24, Changeling) guides Toby as he learns to use his gift for the benefit of people around him.

The online companion site created for Season one of THE LISTENER was recently nominated as Best Cross-Platform Project by the Canadian New Media Awards for excellence in interactive enhancement of a television property on digital platforms. THE LISTENER Online Experience was created by Shaftesbury's Digital Division Smokebomb Entertainment and A51 Integrated in conjunction with SPACE and CTV and with the assistance of the Bell New Media Fund and allows visitors to experience the world as Toby Logan does and "hear" people's thoughts and see their inner-visions. Set in a 360 degree panoramic recreation of Toronto's Dundas Square, the site received weekly updates with interactive features, online exclusive video and previews of upcoming episodes.

THE LISTENER is produced by Shaftesbury Films, in association with SPACE, CTV and Fox International Channels. Season 2 of THE LISTENER will air in Canada on SPACE and CTV. International sales of THE LISTENER are being handled by Shine International.

About Shaftesbury Films

Founded in 1987, Shaftesbury Films has established a reputation as one of Canada's leading producers of high quality film and television programming. Recent productions include; the highly anticipated drama series Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures for The Movie Network and Movie Central; the drama series The Listener for CTV, NBC and Fox International Channels; the drama series Murdoch Mysteries for Citytv and UKTV; the drama series ReGenesis for The Movie Network, Movie Central and Showcase; the record breaking TV movies In God's Country and Eight Days to Live, starring Kelly Rowan for CTV; and The Robber Bride, the Emmy-nominated TV movie starring Gemini award-winner Mary-Louise Parker for CBC. Shaftesbury Films also produces a variety of kids' programming, including 70 episodes of the highly successful series Life with Derek, currently airing on Family Channel and broadcast in over 120 countries worldwide and the upcoming TV-Movie Vacation with Derek for Family Channel. Most recently, Shaftesbury has established a Digital Media division, Smokebomb Entertainment, an award-winning developer of original multiplatform digital content. Visit the Shaftesbury website at www.shaftesbury.ca.

About SPACE

SPACE's ongoing support of Canadian independent productions has been a major contributor to the success of series such as STORMWORLD, RABBIT FALL, CHARLIE JADE, GRAND STAR, SHADOW HUNTER, GIRLY GHOSTHUNTERS and TRIPPING THE RIFT. Documentaries include FAMOUS MONSTER and PRETTY BLOODY.

SPACE is Canada's national science fiction, speculation and fantasy channel. SPACE is truly the boutique station for all those who dare to challenge their imagination (www.spacecast.com). SPACE is owned by CTV Limited, a division of CTVglobemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company.

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. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country and owns or has interests in leading national specialty channels, featuring news, sports, factual, arts, entertainment, music, youth and fashion programming. CTV Inc. is owned by CTVglobemedia Inc., Canada's premier multi-media company, which also owns Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. CTV is the official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

About Fox International Channels

FOX International Channels (FIC), a unit of FOX Entertainment Group, is the wholly-owned global pay television subsidiary of News Corporation. FIC develops and distributes wholly - and majority-owned entertainment, factual, sports, and movie channels in virtually all markets across Europe , Africa , Latin America, and Asia. Using a variety of strong brands, FIC broadcasts over 170 television services in 29 languages. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high-definition extensions, reach over 350 million subscribing households worldwide.

About Shine International

Shine International is the sales and distribution arm of the Shine Group, a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Shine International distributes programming from the growing library of programming of the Shine Group, including Reveille, Kudos, Dragonfly, Princess Productions and Metronome, along with a broad array of programming acquired from independent producers and U.S. networks, to more than 150 countries worldwide.

For further information: Kelsey Aikman, Publicity Coordinator, Shaftesbury Films, T: [phone] ext. 176, Email: [email protected]