60 YEARS STRONG!
CHCH announces all that’s in store for Fall 2013
New shows and simulcasts this Fall cement CHCH’s position as a Top 5 station.
Mark Burnett’s latest creation SPIN OFF makes its world premiere on CHCH this Fall.
Approaching a significant milestone, CHCH gets ready to celebrate its 60th Anniversary!
The return of a CHCH television classic – the new Tiny Talent Time hits the air in 2014!
Parent company launches new division – Channel Zero Digital
(Toronto, Canada) This morning at its 2013 Upfront Presentation, Channel Zero made a series of announcements and revealed the CHCH Fall 2013 Television Schedule.
“2014 marks a significant year for CHCH. The station will celebrate 60 years on the air, and we’re heading into the new television season with plenty of momentum and a strong and proven simulcast schedule,” said Chris Fuoco, VP Sales & Marketing, Channel Zero. “CHCH has established itself as a top 5 station in Toronto and Ontario, and we’re excited about what our 60th year plans have in store for our viewers and advertisers.”
CHCH Primetime this Fall
New Shows
CHCH has picked up exclusive rights to SPIN OFF from Executive Producer Mark Burnett (Survivor, Celebrity Apprentice, The Voice). “In a 30-minute game of trivia and chance SPIN OFF contestants win big or lose it all against their greatest adversary – The Wheel!” explained show host and Gemini-nominated Second City Alumnus Elvira Kurt during today’s announcements. SPIN OFF premieres this Fall and airs Wednesdays at 8pm. The TV show also features a one-of-a-kind digital companion: SPIN OFF 360 lets viewers play along with the show in real time against other at-home players on any internet-enabled device, and outside the broadcast anyone can play SPIN OFF 360 HOME EDITION (which will be accessible late Summer from www.chch.com). At-home players, both playing in real time and Home Edition, can collect points to qualify for the season-ending digital tournament to win cash and prizes.
“As a multi-platform property, SPIN OFF provides unique digital ad units and customizable TV integrations that seamlessly combine client brands into the overall entertainment experience,” said Geoff Thrasher, General Sales Manager, Channel Zero.
David Caruso and Emily Procter bring crime and passion to CHCH this Fall with the debut of CSI: Miami Tuesdays at 10pm. Stand-up comedian and actor Cedric “The Entertainer” has been named the new host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, which will slide into Wednesdays at 8:30pm rounding out CHCH’s game night following SPIN OFF. The Originals – an offshoot of The Vampire Diaries, is a brand new CW Series that will air Tuesdays at 8pm leading into Supernatural.
Returning Favourites
CHCH’s Fall line-up includes two of television’s longest-running and most popular game shows Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! six nights a week. In 2014, Jeopardy! will also reach a milestone – its 30th season. At the CHCH Upfront today, special guest Alex Trebek told guests about lots of great surprises planned for Jeopardy! fans.
Viewers can count on CHCH for a solid schedule of highly-acclaimed news magazine programs including 20/20, 48 Hours and 60 Minutes. This Fall also marks the third season of Hart of Dixie starring Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart in a fish-out-of-water comedic drama about small-town living, big-city attitudes and complicated love triangles. Sam and Dean return in the ninth season of Supernatural, and Brennan and Booth dish out humour and heart in Bones.
CHCH is Your Home for Great Movies. From award-winning dramas to side-splitting comedies, CHCH serves up viewer favourites throughout the week, wrapping up with Hollywood’s biggest titles on the Sunday Blockbuster. The station has locked down deals with a number of film studios to continue its offering this Fall, including the original Hot Tub Time Machine with John Cusack just in time for the anticipated theatrical release of the film’s sequel, currently in production with lead actor Adam Scott.
“CHCH has enjoyed stronger than ever growth, especially in primetime. Since the Fall of 2012 we’ve seen a 43% audience increase, which is a huge jump compared to other conventional Toronto stations,” stated Geoff Thrasher. “We stand behind our schedule and know it delivers.”
60 Years Strong!
Since 1954, CHCH has entertained and informed millions of viewers. In 2014, the station reaches its most significant milestone yet – 60 years on the air! CHCH viewers can look forward to a year-long celebration starting January 2014 with on-air elements that pay tribute to the 60th Anniversary; the contemporary return of the channel’s original mascot Mr. Eleven; retrospective programming specials and anniversary-themed contests – all leading up to June 7, 2014 – the day that commemorates the launch of the station over half a century ago. After 60 years, CHCH is as strong as ever and ready to celebrate!
The Stars are set to Shine on the New Tiny Talent Time!
“We are elated that CHCH is bringing back a television classic recognized by viewers old and young alike!” said Jennifer Chen, VP of Programming, Channel Zero. The remake of the adored Tiny Talent Time will begin casting for its little stars this Fall. Production will take place at the start of the New Year with a target air date of Spring 2014. “It’s all part of the incredible 60th anniversary plans we have in store for CHCH viewers,” concluded Jennifer Chen. Clients interested in getting involved with this iconic show will have plenty of on-air and online sponsorship and brand integration opportunities. Those getting in early will benefit from the station’s marketing plans for the show from the casting phase right through to on-air promotion.
Channel Zero Digital
In a significant move to bolster its presence in online and digital media, CHCH’s parent company Channel Zero Inc. announced today that it has acquired a controlling interest in ANDPOP INC. and has formed its newest division –Channel Zero Digital. “By combining the already popular and highly-watched content on Andpop and ChartAttack with the plans we have for CHCH.com and the other Channel Zero digital properties, we can more quickly build scale and fast track our way into this sector,” said Chris Fuoco. Robert Ostfield (former ANDPOP INC. CEO) has been appointed Managing Director. “Channel Zero was a natural fit for Andpop. Both companies share a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a belief in the value of multi-platform video content. We are extremely excited about what we can accomplish together,” stated Robert.
This acquisition has expanded the company’s online portfolio representing top-tier websites such as
www.ANDPOP.com, www.ChartAttack.com, and www.CHCH.com.
ANDPOP.com offers teens the best of pop culture in the form of high-quality multi-platform video content, featuring the latest breaking news and interviews with celebs like Selena Gomez, One Direction and The Wanted, to name a few.
ChartAttack.com is a platform for indie and alternative artists to connect with music tastemakers through curated text and original video content. Chart Attack’s Noisemakers video series artfully captures one-of-a-kind performances by emerging artists in unexpected locations. Its second season premieres June 15th and is presented by Deezer Canada (www.deezer.com). “Deezer is rapidly gaining steam in Canada,” stated Robert Ostfield, Managing Director, Channel Zero Digital. “As a worldwide digital music streaming service offering unique user experiences for Canadian music fans, we’re excited about working with Deezer and creating more customized original content for future partners.” Deezer reaches over 26 million music fans across 182 countries and currently attracts four million subscribers.
Together the content from these two sites reaches over 4,200,000 viewers and listeners across North America every month through its websites and syndication partners including YouTube and PlayTaxi Media.
-30-
About CHCH
CHCH started broadcasting in 1954 and is proud to be the news leader for Hamilton and the surrounding Halton and Niagara regions. CHCH produces more original news programming than any other local television station in North America. With a primetime line-up anchored by movies, news magazine shows, and hit dramas, CHCH is available to over 92% of Ontario households and is viewed by millions nationally each week.
About Channel Zero
Established in 2000, Channel Zero Inc. is an independent Canadian broadcaster that owns two specialty channels, Silver Screen Classics and Movieola—The Short Film Channel, and CHCH in Hamilton. In 2006 Channel Zero started Ouat Media – a Torontobased company that specializes in the worldwide distribution of award-winning short and feature films. In 2011, Channel Zero entered the American television landscape with the launch of Fight Now! TV, the first 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week combat sports channel to air in the U.S.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Rhonda Messieh
Marketing Manager
Channel Zero Inc.
416-492-1595 x 2071 or 905-645-2071
rhonda.messieh@tvchannelzero.com
