CTV Toronto and CP24 Showcase Toronto’s Hottest Summer Celebrations as Exclusive Broadcast Partners of the City’s Marquee Arts and Cultural Events

To tweet this release: http://bmpr.ca/1QlEjqV TORONTO (June 9, 2015) – As the mercury rises on the hazy, lazy days of summer, CTV Toronto and CP24 are poised to deliver Torontonians non-stop, exclusive coverage of the city’s roster of sizzling summer events. Kicking off with exclusive coverage of Pride Toronto (June 19-28), viewers are then invited to jump up to the rhythm of Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto (July 7-August 2), bite into Krinos Taste of the Danforth (August 7-9), and enjoy the last blast of summer with Scotiabank BuskerFest (Aug. 27-30). CTV Toronto and CP24 recently renewed longstanding partnerships with Pride Toronto and Scotiabank Caribbean for the next three years, reinforcing Bell Media’s comprehensive portfolio of Toronto-area community partnerships and bolstering its status as home to the city’s biggest summer events. “Our partnership with Toronto’s biggest and most colourful celebrations underscores our commitment to fostering and celebrating diversity within the community,” said Paul Rogers, Senior Vice-President, CTV News. “We are delighted to place the city’s tremendous lineup of events on centre stage, uniting viewers at home with the millions who take part in these events each year,” said Joanne MacDonald, Vice-President, CTV News and General Manager, CP24. The following is a detailed description of Bell Media’s summer event partnerships: Pride Toronto As the Exclusive Broadcast Media Sponsors of Pride Toronto since 2009, CP24 and CTV Toronto have recently renewed their longstanding partnership for an additional three years (2015 through 2017). Taking place from June 19-28, Pride Toronto celebrates diversity in sexual and gender identities, and is one of the premier arts and cultural festivals in Canada with an estimated 1.2 million participants attending various events leading up to the festival’s Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28. CP24 personalities Pooja Handa and Bill Coulter will host CP24’s non-stop parade coverage. CTV Toronto and CP24 also provide significant in-kind support through award-winning promotional spots, the production of an interactive microsite, as well as extensive live coverage of Pride-related events. Organizers are encouraging all to “Come Out and Play,” as the festival has secured a star-studded celebrity lineup including Chaz Bono, Cyndi Lauper, Pussy Riot, Kate Moennig, and David Furnish. “The Pride Toronto festival has become the largest Pride celebration in North America because of the incredible support of our partners. Since 2009, Bell Media, as our largest broadcast partner, has shared our passion for the equality of our community,” said Mathieu Chantelois, Executive Director of Pride Toronto. “CTV Toronto and CP24 have never shied away from showcasing our bold messaging; instead, they have celebrated alongside us. Together we’ve become partners at showing the power and beautify of diversity.” Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival As the city gears up for the glittering costumes, Mas bands, and revelers to take over downtown Toronto, CTV Toronto and CP24 recently renewed their longstanding partnership with the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival for an additional three years (2015 through 2017). The Exclusive Media Sponsorship promises extensive coverage of the three-week celebration, kicking off on July 7, of Caribbean culture, music, food, and visual and performing arts, as well as on air and online promotion, and special contests and opportunities for viewers. CP24’s coverage culminates with the broadcast of the Grand Parade, one of the city’s biggest multicultural events that bring in visitors from all over North America on Saturday, Aug. 1. “CTV and CP24 are friends, partners and honest reporters of the exciting and evolving history of Carnival in Canada,” said Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival’s Festival Management Committee. Krinos Taste of the Danforth CP24 and CTV Toronto are proud to return as the Exclusive Broadcast Media Sponsor of Krinos Taste of the Danforth this summer. The three-day event, which runs from August 7-9, welcomes more than one million attendees annually and will be celebrating its 22^nd anniversary this year. Through editorial support, the creation of a microsite, as well as talent engagement on the celebrity stage for the entire weekend, CTV Toronto and CP24 co-sponsor the event which is known to highlight family fun as well as Greek culture through music, food, and dance. “CP24 and CTV Toronto have been longstanding sponsors of the Taste of the Danforth.  But calling them sponsors understates what they have been to the Festival — they have been both friends and partners,” said Howard Lichtman, Taste of the Danforth. “The Taste of the Danforth has grown into Canada’s largest street festival, welcoming more than 1.6 million attendees. That wouldn’t have happened without our valued partnership with CP24 and CTV Toronto.” Scotiabank BuskerFest As Exclusive Broadcast Media Sponsors, CP24 and CTV Toronto wrap-up the city’s major summer festivals with Scotiabank BuskerFest (August 27-30), North’s America’s largest street performer festival. Kicking off Wednesday, Aug. 19 with the much anticipated BuskerBall gala fundraiser hosted by CTV Toronto’s Andria Case, the event features world-class street performers including comedians, magicians, highly skilled circus acts, musical artists, clowns, contortionists, and acrobats – all in support of Epilepsy Toronto. CTV Toronto’s and CP24’s comprehensive support for BuskerFest includes promotional spots, online advertising, live coverage of events, contesting, and talent appearances. “I want to thank CTV Toronto and CP24 for their ongoing support for BuskerFest and Epilepsy Toronto. For nine years, they’ve helped bring world-class entertainment to the streets of Toronto while supporting our city’s epilepsy community,” said Geoff Bobb, Executive Director Epilepsy Toronto. “Without their commitment and generosity, BuskerFest would not have seen over a million visitors attend our festival, making it the world’s largest epilepsy-related event. We are truly grateful for their generosity and look forward to years of partnership.” For more information, visit www.cp24.com or toronto.ctv.ca.