Sláinte! CP24 Signs Exclusive Three-Year Broadcast Deal with Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

To tweet this release:

TORONTO (Oct. 24, 2013) – CP24 announced today a multi-year renewal of its broadcast sponsorship with the St. Patrick’s Parade Society of Toronto. Extending the partnership that commenced in 2010, CP24 is committed to delivering exclusive live coverage of the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade from 2014 through 2016. The new three-year agreement places CP24 at the centre of Toronto’s premier “emerald” event, delivering comprehensive, up-to-the-minute parade coverage from along the parade route.

”CP24 is proud to be the official broadcaster of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, bringing this joyous occasion into the homes of Torontonians,” said Joanne MacDonald, Vice-President, CTV News and General Manager, CP24. “CP24 is committed to the communities we serve, and our renewal of this sponsorship in addition to ongoing partnerships with many of Toronto’s premiere cultural events all year long underscores our proud commitment.”

“The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade can be counted among the top St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in North America, with some 500,000 people who lined the streets of downtown Toronto in 2013,” said Alan Louthe, Chairman, Toronto St. Patrick’s Parade Society. “We are excited to keep getting bigger and better, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with CP24 and allow even more people to enjoy the festivities through live television coverage of the parade.”

Last year’s parade featured 70 marching sections and 28 bands. This year’s parade promises to be even bigger with new additions such as dancers from the Native Canadian Centre and marchers from Scouts Canada. The 2014 celebrations are also expected to attract a large group of out-of-town spectators, as anyone with the last name Murphy is invited to Toronto to take part in a “reunion of the Murphy Clan.”

The 27^th annual Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade happens Sunday, March 16, 2014. Coverage extends to CP24.com, CP24’s online destination for coverage of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, where Torontonians can share their inner Irish with the world by uploading photos, videos, and comments.

For more information, visit www.cp24.com or www.topatrick.com

About CP24

CP24 is Toronto’s source for breaking news. Available on multiple platforms including television, web, and mobile, CP24 is the GTA’s #1 destination for news, weather and traffic. CP24 is the most-followed newsroom in Canada via its Twitter handle @CP24. CP24 also delivers information on the move with the CP24 traffic app. CP24 has been honoured numerous times by the Radio-Television News Directors Association Awards (RTNDA), including, most recently, the Gordon Sinclair Award in 2010 and the Use of New Media Award in 2009. CP24 is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. 

About Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a celebration of St. Patrick, Ireland and Canada, which incorporates Toronto’s various cultural groups. The annual parade draws approximately 500,000 spectators to the parade route. The parade has been organized by the Toronto St. Patrick’s Parade Society (SPPS) since 1988. The 2014 Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday, March 16, 2014 with the procession starting from Bloor and St. George (near old U of T Varsity Stadium). The Parade will continue along Bloor Street down Yonge and finish on Queen Street at Nathan Philips Square.

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For more information, contact:

Julie MacFarlane, Bell Media, 416.384.4623 or julie.macfarlane@bellmedia.ca

Patricia Garcia, Bell Media, 416.384.2645 or patricia.garcia@bellmedia.ca

Sinead Brown, St. Patrick’s Society of Toronto, 647.224.9173 or sineadbrown@topatrick.com