No One Draws a Crowd Like Santa! 1.1 Million Viewers Watch THE 109th SANTA CLAUS PARADE on CTV

    To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/HVLy7l TORONTO (November 18, 2013) – The world’s longest-running children’s parade, THE 109^th SANTA CLAUS PARADE, made its annual return yesterday afternoon to a record audience on CTV, with 1.1 million viewers tuning in as 20 floats and the man in red made their way through the streets of Toronto. In all, 3.4 million Canadians watched some part of the festive broadcast which peaked at 1.8 million viewers as the parade came to a close with Santa’s appearance. Hosted by CTV Toronto’s Ken Shaw, CP24 and THE SOCIAL’s Melissa Grelo, and THE SOCIAL and ETALK’s Traci Melchor, THE 109^th SANTA CLAUS PARADE had its highest audience since 2004. **Media Note** – Download photos from THE 109^TH SANTA CLAUS PARADE at BellMediaPR.ca. Ranking as the #1 non-prime entertainment program of the day with total viewers and in all key demos, THE 109^TH SANTA CLAUS PARADE was also #2 for the day behind only THE AMAZING RACE in the key market of Toronto with total viewers and the A25-54 demo. In Toronto, the parade also saw double digit growth over last year, up 22% with total viewers and 18% with A25-54. The parade also saw growth in all key markets in the A25-54 demo.

Encore presentations of THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE air Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. ET on CTV Two (visit CTV.ca/SantaClausParade to confirm local broadcast times). Viewers can watch the parade and exclusive holiday greetings on demand at CTV.ca/SantaClausParade and the CTV GO App.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: CTV: Twitter:   @CTV_Television @CTV_PR @TOSanta – Official Parade Twitter account @KenShawCTV – Ken Shaw @melissagrelo – Melissa Grelo @StayFabulous – Traci Melchor Facebook: facebook.com/ctv facebook.com/TOSantaParade About CTV CTV is Canada’s #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network’s website at CTV.ca.

– CTV –

Source: BBM Canada, overnight vs. final data Audiences prior to August 31, 2009 based on BBM Nielsen Media Research Mark II meters. For more information, please contact: Matthew Almeida, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.2629 or matthew.almeida@bellmedia.ca Christy Sullivan, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.3624 or Christy.sullivan@bellmedia.ca