And Now for Something Completely Different: Bell Media Secures Exclusive Rights to Monty Python Collection for "Project Latte" Streaming Service

– First curated collection announced for "Project Latte" features every episode of MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS –
– Just-released concert film Monty Python Live (mostly) - One Down Five to Go among more than 25 hours of additional Python content –

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TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2014 /CNW/ – As John Cleese's new memoir Say, Anything hits bookstores and a new recording of this summer's Monty Python Live concerts is released, Bell Media announced today its new video streaming service is the exclusive home to the world's most influential absurdist comedy troupe of all time, Monty Python. The announcement is the first of several curated collections announced for Bell Media's new subscription video on-demand product, currently code-named "Project Latte" (nudge, nudge; wink, wink), and scheduled to launch soon.

The exclusive deal with Eagle Rock Entertainment includes every single episode of MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS (1969-1974), dead parrots and all. Adding up to more than 25 additional hours of Monty Python programming, the collection also includes all associated documentaries, specials, and more, including live performances and sketch highlights, as well as additional undisclosed fan-favourite content that will live only in the curated Monty Python collection on the service.

"Project Latte" will also feature the just-released and big-buzz Monty Python Live (mostly) - One Down Five to Go, documenting the group's first live performances in three decades this summer at London's O₂ Arena. The announcement comes as Python co-founder John Cleese releases his acclaimed memoir So, Anyway… from Doubleday Canada.

"Ni!," said The Knights Who Say Ni. "Ni! Ni!"

**Media Note** Photography available online at BellMediaPR.ca.

"Monty Python is one of the world's greatest television treasures," said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, Bell Media. "And with this exclusive, curated collection that can only be found on Project Latte, we are honoured to bring Monty Python to generations of new viewers while allowing current fans to rediscover them all over again."

Often referred to as "the Beatles of comedy", Monty Python evolved from a sketch comedy TV series into a cultural phenomenon manifest in feature films, live stage shows, albums, games, books and a Broadway musical. Comprised of members Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, the troupe became famous following the BBC TV series MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS and renowned for classic sketches including "Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", "Ministry of Silly Walks", "The Spanish Inquisition", and "Cheese Shop" – all featured on "Project Latte".

The Monty Python Collection on "Project Latte" also features:

• Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (1972) – Python's two one-hour specials for German TV.
• Monty Python: Live at the Hollywood Bowl – The 1982 concert film directed by Terry Hughes.
• Monty Python Live at Aspen – The one-hour reunion special from the 1998 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.
• Parrot Sketch Not Included: 20 Years of Monty Python ­­– Hosted by Steve Martin, the 90-minute 1989 special in honour of the 20^th anniversary of FLYING CIRCUS.
• Before The Flying Circus (2000) ­­- The one-hour documentary about the Pythons' formative years as apprentice writers and performers.
• Monty Python's Personal Best (2006) – Six, one-hour specials each dedicated to a Python and representing their favourite work.
• Monty Python Conquers America – The 2008 one-hour documentary in which American writers and comedians recount how Python influenced their careers.
• Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut) – The six-part, 2009 TV documentary series that retells the entire Python phenomenon start to finish.
• The Meaning of Monty Python: The Meaning of Life in 2013 – Featuring new sketches, a one-hour special honouring the 30^th anniversary of the release of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.
• Additional Easter egg content curated especially for Python fans.

In October, Bell Media announced a new video streaming service devoted exclusively to the best content on television, code-named "Project Latte". The service will feature thousands of hours of content representing TV's top premium brands. Additional details about "Project Latte" - including its final name - will be announced in the weeks to come.

About "Project Latte":

Created for TV lovers and devoted exclusively to television, "Project Latte" is Canada's premium subscription on-demand video service, providing the most robust lineup of superior television content in the country. From TV's most-acclaimed dramas and beloved comedies to documentaries, music, and factual programming, "Project Latte" will feature more than 10,000 hours of premium non-kids TV programming, with more than 350 unique TV titles. Designed to complement traditional television and available to all TV providers, to date "Project Latte" will be offered via set-top box to TELUS Optik TV, Bell Fibe TV, and Bell Aliant FibreOP TV subscribers at launch. The service will also be available via mobile apps, the web, game consoles, and smart TVs. "Project Latte" is from Bell Media, Canada's premier multi-media company.

About Bell Media:

With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's #1 television network; 35 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada's most-watched specialty channels in English and French; and four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 106 licensed radio stations in 54 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada's most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies with a network of more than 9,500 advertising faces in Québec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites; delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including CTV GO, TMN GO, and TSN GO; holds an equity stake in digital startup Hubub; is partners in Cirque du Soleil Media, a joint venture with Cirque du Soleil; and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.

SOURCE Bell Media