#1 New Program THE X FACTOR Returns with More Star Power During Special Two-Hour Premiere, Sept. 12 on CTV

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Toronto,ON (September 6, 2012) –X-tra spicy judges. X-ceptional talent. X-cellent television! Canada’s #1 newprogram overall and #1 new reality series last season, THE X FACTOR is back with vengeance as superstarjudges Britney Spears and DemiLovato join Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid on the series. After averaging 1.9million viewers last year, the hit singing competition series kicks off itssophomore season bigger and better than ever before, with a show-stopping, two-daypremiere event, beginning Wednesday,Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV andcontinuing Thursday Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two (visit CTV.ca and CTV.ca/Twoto confirm local listings).

FollowingSimon Cowell’s visit to CTV headquarters in Torontothis past summer, Canada’s

most-watchedentertainment program ETALK landedthe only one-on-one sit down interview with one of television’s most well-knownand controversial judges. Catch Ben Mulroney’s exclusive interview, in whichthey discuss everything from revealing hidden cameras the show uses to shootthe contestants, to former CANADIANIDOL star Carly Rae Jepsen, during anonline-only web special premiering FridaySeptember 7, 2012 on CTV.ca/xfactor.   

** Media Note ** Download photos fromTHE X FACTOR at www.BellMediaPR.ca

THEX FACTOR Judges

Amidst the formatshakeups and judging changes, here’s what the media, new judges Britney Spearsand Demi Lovato, and the alwaysoutspoken Simon Cowell have to say:

Media:

“…If firstimpressions mean anything, it’s going to be a very intriguing conversation whenthe second season of the show debuts…” – Bill Harris,Sun Media

“Former popprincess Britney Spears is giving Cowell, the brutal British TV celebrityjudge, a run for his money in her new job on the panel of U.S. talent show TheX Factor.” – Jill Serjeant, Reuters

New judgesfrom THE X FACTOR:

“You can’t destroy that song sweetie.” – BritneySpears to a singing hopeful

“You need totake a breath mint if you’re going to get that close to my face.” – Demi Lovato to Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell:

“The numberone person I ever wanted on one of these shows was Britney, because I’mfascinated with her as a person and as a pop star…. And she’s a really, reallygood judge.” –Simon Cowell

THE X FACTOR judges travelled across Americasearching for undiscovered talent who are willing to brave the panel for achance to make their dreams come true. In a departure from other singingcompetition series, contestants audition for the judges while in front of anaudience of thousands, raising the stakes and increasing the pressure. This isthe ultimate test to prove they have the vocal ability, charisma, and stagepresence that it takes to become a global superstar or breakout music group andwin a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.

Hopefulswho pass the initial auditions travel to LosAngeles for“boot camp” beginning Wednesday, Oct. 3on CTV and continuing Thursday, Oct. 4on CTV Two. The contestants face the panel of judges and a live audience asthey are judged on singing, dancing and overall performance styles.

Thosewho make it through “boot camp” earn a place in one of four categories. Eachcategory grouping then visits the judge’s homes where each judge is joined by acelebrity mentor to help decide who will move on to the live shows. This season,rumours are swirling that worldwide singing phenomenon JustinBieber is allegedly pairing up with L.A. Reid, while the youngest of thepop-rock band Jonas Brothers, NickJonas, teams up with Demi Lovato.

THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by SycoTelevision and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Nigel Hall are executive producers for Syco Television. Trish Kinane,Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers forFremantleMedia North America. 

AboutCTV

CTV is Canada‘s largest privatebroadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, andentertainment programming, CTV is Canada’s most-watched televisionnetwork. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia companywith leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned byBCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’slargest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on thenetwork’s website at ctv.ca.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:

@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television

@TheXFactorUSA

@SimonCowell

@LA_Reid

@Britneyspears

@ddlovato

Facebook:

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facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA

– CTV –

Source: BBM Canada, BY2011-12: 9/19/2011 –5/23/2012, Performance Shows

For more information:

Jacqui Vansickle, CTV, CTV Two, 416-384-5091 or Jacqueline.Vansickle@bellmedia.ca

Aviva Sokolsky, CTV, CTV Two, 416-384-2186 or Aviva.Sokolsky@bellmedia.ca