New Canadian Talk Series THE SOCIAL Joins CTV’s #1 Daytime Lineup, Weekdays Beginning Sept. 2

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TORONTO (August14, 2013) – CTV announcedtoday the premiere date of its brand new original daily talk series THE SOCIAL. The network invites viewers to sit down, graba coffee, and join the conversation weekdays at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. AT) following local news beginning Monday, Sept. 2 (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcasttimes). Co-hosted by a distinct groupof lively women with varying perspectives, THE SOCIAL joins Canada’s #1 daytime lineup with news anchor Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo), relationshipexpert Cynthia Loyst (@cynthialoyst),Canada’s foremost gossip bloggerLainey Lui (@LaineyGossip), and entertainment reporter Traci Melchor (@stayfabulous).

CTV also announced today its first sponsorship for theseries – a premier, custom, 52-week partnership with Walmart that will includemonthly in-show segments as well asseasonal integrations to help viewersstretch their budget. Walmart is also partnering with THE SOCIAL to recognize and reward inspirational Canadian moms aspart of its third annual ‘Mom of the Year’ campaign. The ‘Mom of the Year’partnership will include in-show integrations and a co-branded promo spotfeaturing talent from THE SOCIAL whichwill encourage viewers to go online and nominate a special mom in their liveswith the winner receiving $100,000 for the charity of her choice.

**Media Note**Download photography of the cast of THE SOCIAL at BellMediaPR.ca.For a behind-the-scenes look at the hosts at their photo shoot, click here.

“THE SOCIAL is theperfect complement to our strong and diverse roster of daytime programming,” saidPhil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “Touching on the mosttalked-about subjects of the day, THESOCIAL is sure to not only capture the attention of our viewers, but alsoinvolve them in the conversation.”

“Anchored by four engaging hosts who will get Canadians talking and atop-notch production team, Bell Media In-House Productions is ready to delivera second hour of not-to-be-missed original daytime content,” said Rick Brace,President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production.

“THE SOCIAL is like the lunch date with friends you wish youhad time for every day,” said Michelle Crespi, Executive Producer, THE SOCIAL. “Viewers will laugh, learn, andconnect. Plus, the conversation lives on 24 hours a day on TheSocial.ca and on our various socialmedia platforms.”

The Hosts on THE SOCIAL:

–       “Peopleare going to be shocked, I think, about who is liberal about things and who’snot so liberal.” – Melissa

–       “When thefour of us get together, it’s kind of an explosion.” – Cynthia

–       “We loveour friends and we are supportive of them – but that doesn’t mean we seeeye-to-eye all the time.” – Lainey

–       “Comingtogether and being better for it, that’s what THE SOCIAL is about.” – Traci

The Hosts on Each Other:

–       “Not onlyis she funny and her comments always poignant, they’re so well timed she shouldbe a comedian.” – Melissa on Traci

–       “She’sfierce, she’s opinionated, she’s a bit snarky, and she’s unapologetic.” –Cynthia on Lainey

–       “She’sprofessional, and she’s capable. She is kind of like the discussion boss.” –Lainey on Melissa

–       “And thenthere’s Cynthia. Articulate. Brilliant.” – Traci on Cynthia

THE SOCIAL deliversan innovative forum for viewers to debate and discuss the topics of the day byinteracting with the co-hosts through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Each show kicks-offwith a round-table chat featuring the buzz-worthy subjects Canadians aretalking or Tweeting about, including headlines of the day, celebrity news, andtrending topics. The round-table is followedby lifestyle segments inspired by viewers, while celebrity guest co-hostswill also stop by to join the panel discussions.

THE SOCIAL airs weekdays at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. AT) on CTV, 2 p.m. ET on CTV Two, and 7 p.m. ET on E! THE SOCIAL also airs live on CTV Mobile (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcasttimes), as well as on demand across CTV’s digital platforms: including CTV.ca, TheSocial.ca,the CTV App,the CTV Mobile channel on BellMobile TV, and through video on demand partners such as Bell Fibe TV followingthe broadcast.

SOCIALMEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:

@TheSocialCTV

@melissagrelo

@cynthialoyst

@LaineyGossip 
@stayfabulous

Facebook:

facebook.com/TheSocial

Instagram:

instagram.com/TheSocialCTV

Pinterest:

pinterest.com/TheSocialCTV

About THE SOCIAL

Produced by Bell Media In-House Productions, THE SOCIAL brings a fresh, daily,perspective on the up-to-the-minute news, pop culture and lifestyle topics thatmatter most to Canadians in a socially interactive format. The series isco-hosted by Melissa Grelo, Lainey Lui, Cynthia Loyst, and Traci Melchor.Michelle Crespi is Executive Producer. Laura Scarfo is Supervising Producer. NanciMaclean is Executive Director, Bell Media Production. Catherine MacLeod is Senior Vice-President, Specialty Channels, BellMedia. Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and Bell Media Production. MikeCosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King isPresident, CTV Programming and Sports.

About CTV
CTV is Canada’s #1 private broadcaster.Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainmentprogramming, CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimediacompany with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is partof BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. Moreinformation about CTV can be found on the network’s website at ctv.ca.

– CTV –

For more information, please contact:

Emily Alonzo, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.2664 or emily.alonzo@bellmedia.ca

Christy Sullivan, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.3624 or christy.sullivan@bellmedia.ca