CTV Signs US Distributor for Hit Canadian Sitcom Corner Gas

- Arthur Hasson's Multi-Platform Distribution Company to distribute Canada's No. 1 Comedy -

TORONTO, May 23 - After three year's of dominating the sitcom landscape north of the border, Corner Gas, Canada's Number 1 comedy series, is now available for broadcast in the United States. The announcement was made by CTV, Canada's top-ranked network, who today signed Arthur Hasson's Multi-Platform Distribution Company (MPDC) to market the smash hit comedy series in the United States. Since it was launched in January, 2004, Corner Gas has become a broadcasting phenomenon, outperforming all U.S. sitcoms in Canada and becoming the only Canadian scripted series on Canada's Top 20 list of programs. MPDC will begin shopping Corner Gas beginning immediately.

(xx) Media Note (xx) Download photos from Corner Gas at http://www.ctvmedia.ca.

A critical and audience favourite, Corner Gas is an ensemble comedy series about a bunch of nobodies who get up to a whole lot of nothing in the fictional prairie town of Dog River, Saskatchewan. Nominated for an International Emmy Award in 2004, Corner Gas won the 2005 Gemini Award (Canada's version of the Emmy Awards) for Best Comedy Series. Corner Gas is the most-watched comedy series (Canadian or American) on Canadian television among Adults 25-54, besting not only The Simpsons and Family Guy but My Name is Earl, Everybody Hates Chris and The War at Home as well.

"For the first time in a generation, the highest-rated sitcom of primetime schedules (in Canada) is a Canadian show, not American," wrote the Hollywood Reporter last year. The series has achieved audience growth in each of its three seasons among key demos.(xx) With production about to begin on the series' fourth season, 50 half-hour episodes are now available.

"I have been watching CTV win with hits like CSI, Law & Order: SVU, American Idol, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy for the past several years," said Hasson. "I really stood up and noticed when Corner Gas - a comedy - broke through. The fact that it is a home grown show and not an American show was startling."

With Canadian primetime schedules dominated by American programming, the success of Corner Gas in Canada is a true achievement. Indeed, the series went head to head with Prison Break this season and came out on top. Every single original telecast of Corner Gas has achieved over one million viewers in Canada, a record feat in Canadian broadcasting.

"Corner Gas is perfectly cast, smart and funny," said Susanne Boyce, CTV President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group. "It's a series that stands among the best programs on television, period. Because Canadian TV habits mirror those in the United States, this property has tremendous potential in the U.S."

Hasson adds: "The show is both familiar and fresh. Once you see a few episodes it is easy to see why it is so successful. Like the great sitcoms we all know, the characters of Corner Gas are immediately relatable and likeable."

CONTINUED: For the complete release, please visit http://www.ctvmedia.ca.

SOURCE CTV Inc.