TORONTO – Bell Media affirmed today that CTV Two, its rebranded /A\ network, will air on August 29th
Immediately accessible to nearly 90% of English viewers from coast-to-coast, the stations include CTV Two Vancouver/Victoria, CTV Two Alberta, CTV Two Toronto/Barrie, CTV Two London, CTV Two Windsor, CTV Two Ottawa, and CTV Two Atlantic. The CTV Two schedule will feature some of Canada’s “most-watched series as well as local CTV News programming in most markets,” says CTV in a statement. CTV Two will transmit in High Definition beginning Aug. 31.
The launch of CTV Two will also see the expansion of the CTV News brand on August 29 in Vancouver/Victoria, Toronto/Barrie, London and Windsor. “While still retaining their editorial independence,” the former /A\ News broadcasts will fall under the umbrella of the CTV News brand. The local CTV News broadcasts will feature the CTV brand in the on-air graphics featured in the newscasts, while new sets will debut as well.
The local morning shows on CTV Two Ottawa and CTV Two Atlantic will be renamed CTV Morning Live, to be consistent with the name of new morning shows launching in western markets on CTV this fall. CTV Two Alberta, formerly known as Access, “will retain its mandate as the educational broadcaster for the province of Alberta, with 50% of its schedule dedicated to commercial-free educational programming,” says the press release.
CTV Two’s fall entertainment lineup schedule looks to be dominated by popular U.S. network programming that includes The X Factor, premiering Sept. 22, as well as Two And A Half Men, Criminal Minds, CSI: Miami, Law & Order: SVU, The Vampire Diaries, Nikita, America’s Next Top Model, Mike & Molly, Anderson, and The Ellen Degeneres Show.
For the first time, CTV Two Vancouver/Victoria, CTV Two Toronto/Barrie, CTV Two London, CTV Two Windsor and CTV Two Ottawa will transmit over the air and via major television distributors in high definition, as of Wednesday, Aug. 31.
The local CTV Two stations are currently undergoing a re-branding effort that will see the CTV brand surface on everything from vehicles and building signage to stationary and merchandise. The new local CTV Two stations will use the CTV brand in their ongoing community investment initiatives, providing a more powerful extension of support into the communities they serve.
Marking the synergy between the CTV and CTV Two brands, the new CTV Two schedule will receive significant promotional support across CTV’s main schedule in some of television’s biggest programs. A comprehensive external promotional campaign, including local radio, print and outdoor advertising, will also roll out in the coming weeks.
