W5 Launches Historic 50th Season, October 3 on CTV

Season Premiere Features Hard-Hitting Investigative Reports: the Devastating Impact of Online Porn on Young Minds, and an In-Depth Look at Deadly Use of Fentanyl

TORONTO (September 24, 2015) – CTV’s W5 ushers in its unprecedented 50^th season with pair of hard-hitting investigations that are the decades-long hallmark of Canada’s most-watched investigative documentary series. Premiering Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV GO, and CTVNews.ca, W5 investigates the devastating impact that readily accessible, hard-core online pornography is having on the minds and lives of young Canadian boys in “GENERATION XXX”. The stunning report has Senior Reporter Victor Malarek documenting one family’s struggle to help their pre-teen son break his all-consuming addiction to internet porn.  In the evening’s second story, W5 examines the illegal use of fentanyl, a pain-killing drug reported to be 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. In a relatively short time on the black market, trade in Fentanyl has already claimed hundreds of lives across the country, and the numbers are rising daily. In “KILL PILL”, Co-Host and Correspondent Kevin Newman meets devastated families, a young man fighting his addiction, and police and medical professionals – all scrambling to deal with this burgeoning epidemic. L-R: Kevin Newman, Lisa LaFlamme, Lloyd Robertson, Tom Kennedy, Sandie Rinaldo, and Victor Malarek **Media Note** Download artwork for W5 at BellMediaPR.ca North America’s longest-running investigative journalism series, W5 celebrates its 50^th anniversary throughout the 2015-2016 broadcast season with special events and programming looking back at the program’s remarkable 50-year history. And throughout the season, week after week, W5 will continue to deliver on its commitment to tackle tough, provocative issues making headlines at home and around the world. Viewers can stay abreast of W5’s “Golden Anniversary” events and programming by visiting CTVNews.ca/W5. W5’s 50^th season follows another banner year which saw the program perform as Canada’s most-watched news documentary program on Saturday nights. The 49^th season reached more than 2 million unique viewers in Canada per episode, building on its year-over-year upward trend in growth in overall viewers, as well as in key demos. Numeris confirms that during the 2014-2015 season, W5 achieved record average weekly reach over its previous three-year performance among the Adult 18-49 and Adult 25-54 demos, with increases of 21% and 19%, respectively. Launched in 1966 to deliver tough, relevant stories guided by fair and responsible reporting, W5 was a forerunner and direct inspiration to CBS’ acclaimed 60 MINUTES.  Since its inception, W5 has delivered stories by prominent journalists who have hosted the program, with the support of top-notch colleagues behind the camera including the best team of producers, researchers, cameramen, editors, and sound recordists in the business. W5 moves into its 50th season of entertaining, informing, and educating Canadians upholding its commitment to first-rate investigative journalism and powered by its unparalleled team: Host and Chief Correspondent, Lloyd Robertson, along with Kevin Newman, Victor Malarek, and Tom Kennedy, CTV’s Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme, and Sandie Rinaldo. Among the countless prestigious awards and accolades received by W5, the program was awarded the Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards. Traditionally honouring the work of individuals, it was the first time the Gordon Sinclair Award was given to a television series. W5 also airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET and Sundays at 5 p.m. ET on CTV Two, and at 7 p.m. ET on CTV News Channel. W5 can also be seen on Investigation Discovery on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET, and Wednesdays at 12 noon ET; on demand at CTVNews.ca/W5, on the CTV NEWS GO app, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners, such as Bell Fibe TV (visit CTV.ca for local listings).

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