CTV Media Site

August 16, 2012

CTV NEWS Grows 31% Throughout London 2012

– CTV News’ national and local newscasts see double-digit increases in audiences –
– Young adult news audiences increase by 50% or more –
– Supper-hour newscasts up dramatically in metered markets; Vancouver more than doubles its A25-54 rating –

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Toronto, ON (August 16, 2012) – CTV NEWS enjoyed a golden halo during the London 2012 Olympic Games, widening its lead as Canada’s most-watched news organization. Broadcasting from London throughout the Games, CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LISA LAFLAMME and CTV EVENING NEWS broadcasts across the country saw double-digit increases in average audiences versus their summer averages. CTV NATIONAL NEWS increased its audience by 31%, and saw a remarkable spike of 73% among young adults (A18-34), more than eight times that of CBC's THE NATIONAL* in the same demographic.

With Canadians cheering on hometown heroes at the Games, CTV’s supper-hour weekday newscasts across the country were up 25% in total viewers and 50% among young adults (A18-34) versus their summer averages. Leading the way for growth among metered markets was CTV British Columbia’s evening newscast, up 130% among young adults (A18-34) and more than doubling its A25-54 rating (+107%). In Alberta, CTV Calgary and CTV Edmonton news ratings also spiked with 77% and 43% increases in the young adult demo (A18-34), respectively. And in Toronto, Canada’s #1 local newscast also did high jumps in total viewers (+40%) and adult viewers (A18-49, +60%).

“Canadians consistently choose CTV News as their source for news during historic events,” said Wendy Freeman, President, CTV News. “We served viewers throughout the Olympic Games with the same quality journalism that viewers expect from CTV News every day.”

CTV, Canada’s Olympic Network, is also Canada's largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada’s most-watched television network and lead broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games. 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 www.ctv.ca

Source: BBM Canada (Summer: 5/28/12-7/22/12)
*Part 1, Weekday telecasts

- CTV -

For more information:
Renee Dupuis, Bell Media, 416.384.3154 or renee.dupuis@bellmedia.ca