- Production on 13 new episodes from Shaftesbury to commence in early
2014 -
- Season 4 ranked among the Top 15 most-watched programs in Canada -
To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/1aaGjsB
CANNES, France, Oct. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - CTV announced today a 13-episode
fifth season order for its hit original drama series THE LISTENER, bringing the series total to 65 episodes. Produced for CTV by
Shaftesbury in association with Fox International Channels, and
distributed by Shine International, the one-hour drama stars Craig
Olejnik as mind-reading crime-solver Toby Logan. The announcement was
made at MIPCOM, the world's annual entertainment content market in
France, with cast members Craig Olejnik and Lauren Lee Smith in
attendance.
During its fourth season on CTV, THE LISTENER continued to drive million-plus audiences, including a series-high 1.4
million viewers, and ranked among the Top 15 most-watched programs in
Canada this past summer. Season 4 also saw A25-54 growth in Toronto,
Vancouver, and Calgary over Season 3.
"Millions of Canadians spoke throughout the Season 4 broadcast this
summer on CTV, and we've listened" said Phil King, President, CTV
Programming and Sports. "THE LISTENER resonates with viewers across the country and we're very happy to work
with Shaftesbury on another season."
"THE LISTENER offers a compelling mix of investigation, heart, and humour that
continues to draw impressive audiences in Canada and around the world,"
said Christina Jennings, Chairman & CEO, Shaftesbury. "We are thrilled
that CTV has ordered another season, and that Fox International and
Shine are also on board once again."
** Media Note ** Download photos from THE LISTENER at www.BellMediaPR.ca
Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik) is "The Listener", a telepath who works as a
special consultant with the elite Integrated Investigative Bureau
(IIB), facing both professional and personal challenges as he uses his
mind-reading skills to solve a variety of difficult and dangerous
crimes alongside Sergeant Michelle McCluskey (Lauren Lee Smith, CSI;
THE L WORD). Now a more seasoned investigator, and faced with a hostile
boss, Toby will become more proactive and eventually come into conflict
with the goals and procedures of the IIB organization. Meanwhile,
Michelle is determined to have it all, working to balance her demanding
career and the challenges of first-time parenthood with husband Adam
(Kris Holden-Reid; LOST GIRL). And Toby's investigative journalist
girlfriend, Tia Tremblay (Melanie Scrofano; HAVEN) will begin to delve
into the secrets of Toby's past, eventually exposing truths which might
threaten to turn his world upside down. The ensemble cast of THE LISTENER includes Craig Olejnik as Toby Logan; Lauren Lee Smith as IIB Sergeant
Michelle McCluskey; Ennis Esmer (DIRTY SINGLES) as Toby's best friend
and director of emergency services Oz Bey; Rainbow Sun Francks
(STARGATE ATLANTIS) as IIB security and technical expert Corporal Dev
Clark; Peter Stebbings (THE BORGIAS) as IIB head Alvin Klein; and Tara
Spencer-Nairn (CORNER GAS) as Sandy, Oz's girlfriend and St. Luke
Hospital triage nurse. One of Canada's top-rated homegrown dramas, THE LISTENER is broadcast on CTV and Bravo in Canada and on Fox International
Channels internationally, and distributed by Shine International. The
series has been licensed in 120 countries and 33 languages worldwide.
THE LISTENER is produced by Shaftesbury in association with CTV and Fox International
Channels. The series is executive produced by Christina
Jennings and Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury, and Peter Mohan (LOST
GIRL, THE BRIDGE), who serves as showrunner. Sharon Tal Yguado is
Executive Producer for Fox International Channels. Tom Hastings and
Rebecca DiPasquale are production executives for Bell Media. Trish
Williams is Director, Independent Production, Bell Media and Corrie Coe
is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike
Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks, Bell
Media. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports. THE LISTENER is produced with the financial participation of The Canada Media Fund,
The Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit and The Ontario Film and
Television Tax Credit.
About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada's most-watched and
most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian
independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings
success stories SAVING HOPE, THE LISTENER, and MOTIVE, the #1 new
Canadian series of the 2012/13 season. Recent original productions
include relationship comedy SATISFACTION; THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the
record-breaking Canadian-produced, complementary version of the hit
international series, and new cop drama PLAYED. To premiere in the
2013/14 season are multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, and hit
international format MASTERCHEF CANADA. Among the scripted series on
Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated
hit DEGRASSI, the recently renewed ORPHAN BLACK, CSA-winning CALL ME
FITZ, upcoming dramas BITTEN and 19-2, and new dramedy series SENSITIVE
SKIN. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to reality series
PANIC BUTTON and BRAVE NEW GIRLS, game shows MATCH GAME and POP QUIZ,
and factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among
others. So far in 2013, Bell Media has ordered 23 original Canadian
series and put 52 projects into development.
About Shaftesbury
With offices in Toronto and Los Angeles, Shaftesbury is an award-winning
producer and distributor of original content for television and
multiple platforms in more than 120 countries. Shaftesbury's slate
includes four seasons of The Listener for CTV and Fox International Channels; seven seasons of Murdoch Mysteries for Citytv, UKTV, ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment and CBC; the global
hit kids' series Life with Derek; and compelling documentaries including Why Men Cheat. Shaftesbury's groundbreaking digital media division, Smokebomb
Entertainment, creates convergent experiences for television and
original digital content including the comedy series Backpackers for CTV and CW Seed; tween series Totally Amp'd and Unlikely Heroes for YTV.com; 3D science fiction series State of Syn and the International Emmy-nominated Murdoch Mysteries: The Curse of the Lost Pharaohs. Visit us online at http://www.shaftesbury.ca and http://www.smokebomb.ca.
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.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter:
@CTV_Television
@CTV_PR
THE LISTENER:
Twitter:
@listenertv
Craig Olejnik: @craigolejnik
Ennis Esmer: @heyennisshutup
Lauren Lee Smith: @L_L_S
Rainbow Sun Francks: @RainbowFrancks
Tara Spencer-Nairn: @TSpencerNairn
SOURCE CTV
