Bell Media Says Goodbye to Renowned Nova Scotia Broadcaster Bill Jessome

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TORONTO (December 10, 2013) – Bell Media extends its heartfelt condolences to Bill Jessome’s family, friends, and colleagues. Jessome passed away last night in Nova Scotia at the age of 88.

As a journalist, Jessome worked in Boston before taking on the role of evening anchor at CJCB television in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, which eventually became part of ATV and then CTV.

Jessome, who was also an actor, had roles in American television dramas, including “Rawhide” and “Gunsmoke.” He was perhaps best known for the work he did hosting the popular Maritime Mysteries series on CTV, which eventually led him to pen several bestselling books on supernatural Maritime history.

“Never straying from his Nova Scotia roots, Bill is known as a founding figure in Maritime television, bringing his passion and energy to families and homes across the East coast,” said Michael Elgie, Vice-President and General Manager, CTV/CTV Two Atlantic. “Bill leaves behind a distinguished career and a community inspired and touched by his unsurpassed commitment to the Maritimes. CTV mourns the loss of a great man today.”   

 Bill was immensely proud of his Cape Breton roots. He was the face of the annual Cape Breton broadcast of the CTV Christmas Daddies Telethon for many years.  While Bill’s work in television made him a household name in the Maritimes, he remained humble – never losing site of the responsibility he felt to keep his audience informed.

Jessome was honoured this year with a lifetime achievement award from RTDNA Canada, which described him as one of the best-known local TV news anchors in Cape Breton and a founding figure of Maritime television.  

About Bell Media

With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada’s #1 television network; 34 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada’s most-watched specialty channels in English and French; four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran; and is managing shareholder of premium pay-per-view service Viewers Choice Canada. Bell Media is also Canada’s largest radio broadcaster, with 107 licensed radio stations in 55 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada’s most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites, delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including TMN GO and Bravo GO, and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company.

For further information:
Patricia Garcia, (w) 416.384.2645 or patricia.garcia@bellmedia.ca