THE SOCIAL Marks Major Milestone with Season 5 Launch, Today – Tuesday, September 5 on CTV

Watch the Season 5 trailer here TORONTO (September 5, 2017) – The daily dish from CTV’s most buzzworthy round-table chat, THE SOCIAL (@TheSocialCTV), kicks off its milestone fifth season today – Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. ET on CTV and the CTV GO app, with another jam-packed, pop-culture filled season of discussion and debate on the hottest, trending current events, lifestyle and entertainment topics. A key player in CTV’s #1 daytime lineup, Season 4 of THE SOCIAL reached an average of 4 million viewers weekly on CTV, CTV Two, and E!, and had its highest A25-54 average audiences in four seasons. Hosted by moderator Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo), relationship expert Cynthia Loyst (@cynthialoyst), Canada’s foremost gossip blogger Lainey Lui (@LaineyGossip), and newest addition to the team, veteran journalist Marci Ien (@MarciIen), along with Correspondent Jess Allen (@jessieraeallen), THE SOCIAL remains the daily destination for loyal fans from coast-to-coast-to-coast to join the conversation and get fresh perspectives on topics that resonate with Canadians. Season 5 of THE SOCIAL continues to provide unfiltered discussions from everything about back-to-school shopping and red carpet recaps to relationship and parenting advice.

(L-R) THE SOCIAL co-hosts Melissa Grelo, Lainey Lui, Marci Ien, and Cynthia Loyst

**Media Note** Download photography of the cast of THE SOCIAL at BellMediaPR.ca “Reaching the fifth season of a show is a true benchmark,” said Nanci MacLean, Vice-President, Bell Media Studios. “We are so thankful for our loyal fans and are excited to deliver a fresh season of honest, no-hold-barred conversation on more topics and issues that matter to them most.” Over the past five years, THE SOCIAL has delivered 355 packaged shows, 894 live shows, 10 specials (including HOWIE MANDEL: A BELL LET’S TALK SPECIAL and A JANN ARDEN CHRISTMAS AT THE SOCIAL), all adding up to a whopping 1,260 shows produced. With an all-new season ready to unfold, THE SOCIAL production team takes a look back on their favourite Season 4 moments:

1. Salad-gate.“Jess and Lainey had a very heated exchange about whether or not a salad constitutes a legitimate, full meal. It was so intense, Jess walked off stage! Of course it was all in good fun but many viewers were genuinely worried that Jess and Lainey had damaged their relationship!  Afterwards we posted a video of the two of them enjoying a salad together – ending the ‘salad-gate’ scandal once and for all.”  (Aired April 7, 2017)
2. Jason Momoa. “Cynthia didn’t realize how often she references Jason Momoa in a sexual context on the show, so the producers took the opportunity during his appearance on THE SOCIAL to let her – and him! – know. We cut together all the salacious, sexual things she’s ever said about him and played it live on-air during the interview. Cynthia was mortified! Jason was hilariously embarrassed and totally flattered at the same time – definitely a memorable moment.” (Aired November 4, 2016)
3. Dirty Dancing. “In honour of DIRTY DANCING: 30^TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL airing on CTV, Melissa and a professional dancer recreated the lift that Baby and Johnny perform in the original movie. It was actually perfect!! We were all so proud of her!” (Aired May 24, 2017)
4. Ashley Graham. “The ladies had a hilarious time with this supermodel – including fishing her microphone out of her cleavage! It was a great, candid conversation – SOCIAL style!” (Aired July 14, 2017)
5. Sterling K. Brown. “The smooth star of CTV hit show THIS IS US gave Jess Allen a lesson in sexy dancing that she will never forget! We thought she was going to faint…” (Aired November 18, 2016)

THE SOCIAL airs live weekdays at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. AT) on CTV. Episodes also air at 2 p.m. ET on CTV Two, 6 p.m. ET, and at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., and 2 p.m. ET on E! the day following their broadcast premieres. THE SOCIAL is also available live on CTV GO (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times), as well as on demand across CTV’s digital platforms including CTV.ca and TheSocial.ca. SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Twitter: @CTV_PR @CTV_Television @TheSocialCTV @melissagrelo @cynthialoyst @LaineyGossip  @MarciIen @jessieraeallen Facebook: facebook.com/ctv facebook.com/TheSocial Instagram: BellMediaPR TheSocialCTV