CTV's Corner Gas Secures U.S. Distribution Deal With Superstation WGN

Nov. 24, 2006

Goes International with Sale to 26 More Countries

-- Corner Gas: Coming soon to 70 million U.S. homes and in countries across 5 continents including Australia, Iraq, Finland and more --

The series will be available in nearly 70 million U.S. homes beginning in 2007. The deal was secured by Arthur Hasson's Multi-Platform Distribution Company (MPDC), which began shopping Canada's #1 comedy and most-watched Canadian series in May, 2006.

With today's announcement, Corner Gas follows in the footsteps of several CTV original series which have gone on to premiere in the US. The list includes Comedy Inc., Comedy Now!, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Instant Star and Whistler.

The two-year, 88-episode deal provides exclusive rights to the series in cable and broadcast.

Superstation WGN is the national flagship of Chicago-based Tribune Broadcasting Company and is available coast-to-coast in the United States to nearly 70 million homes via cable and satellite. Known for its diverse, family-friendly and young adult programming, Superstation WGN's powerful lineup includes Sex and the City, 24, America's Funniest Home Videos, American Idol Rewind, The Cosby Show and Home Improvement.

CTV also announced that Corner Gas has now been licensed internationally to broadcasters serving 26 countries - across 5 continents in all - countries including Australia, Iraq, Finland, Morocco and more. UK-based Minotaur International Ltd. brokered these international deals for CTV. A complete list of countries now licensing Corner Gas is detailed below.

"We're thrilled at the opportunity to share Corner Gas with the U.S. and so many other international markets," said Susanne Boyce, CTV's President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group. "Canadians by the millions are uniquely aware of this program's endearing universal appeal, something that will resonate with audiences anywhere. Congratulations to the talented cast, crew and creative forces behind the series on another benchmark achievement."

"I'm very excited about both the international and the U.S. deals," said Corner Gas creator/star/director/writer and executive producer Brent Butt. "We get so much American programming up here in Canada, it's nice to be able to give a little something back. Something besides Celine Dion, I mean."

"This sitcom is very well written and the ensemble cast is very funny!" said Bill Shaw VP/President, Superstation WGN. "Corner Gas will be a perfect fit for Superstation WGN. It will surely be a hit once the audience in the U.S. is exposed to the series and it can only be found here, on us."

"Superstation WGN was smart in not only recognizing this program's huge hit status, but also the benchmarks that marked its assent; its writing, characters and acting. Corner Gas will work perfectly with the other strong comedies WGN has in their lineup," said MPDC's Hasson.

Corner Gas Around the World

North America

Canada (on originating Network CTV)

USA (on Superstation WGN)

International

Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Chad, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

A critical and audience favourite, Corner Gas is an ensemble comedy series chronicling the adventures of a bunch of nobodies in the middle of nowhere who get up to a whole lot of nothing in the fictional prairie town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, Canada. Nominated for an International Emmy Award in 2004, Corner Gas has won the 2005 and 2006 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, besting not only The Simpsons and Family Guy but My Name is Earl, The Office, American Dad and The War at Home as well. Every single original telecast of Corner Gas has achieved over one million viewers in Canada, a record feat in Canadian broadcasting.

Corner Gas has also spawned a multi-million dollar merchandise line, available online at www.cornergas.com and at over 250 retailers across Canada. Tales from Dog River, a companion book to the hit series, recently debuted at No. 2 on the Canadian bestseller list. Meanwhile, the DVD release of Corner Gas: Season 3 is currently in the Top 10 on Canada's DVD sales charts.

Boasting an award-winning creative team, Corner Gas features directors David Storey, Robert de Lint, Jeff Beesley, Mark Farrell and Brent Butt. Paul Mather is Supervising Producer and Writer. Mark Farrell is Consulting Producer and Writer. Kevin White is Executive Story Editor and Writer, Andrew Carr and Rob Sheridan are Story Editors and Writers. The series was developed for television by Brent Butt, Mark Farrell, David Storey and Virginia Thompson. Executive Producers are Brent Butt, David Storey and Virginia Thompson.

Corner Gas is produced in association with CTV by Prairie Pants Productions, comprised of Virginia Thompson (Incredible Story Studio, renegadepress.com) of V�rit� Films and 335 Productions, a partnership of Brent Butt and David Storey (Blackfly, The Se�n Cullen Show). Louise Clarke is CTV's Director, Western Independent Production. Brent Haynes is Director of Programming for The Comedy Network. Ed Robinson is Senior-Vice President, Comedy and Variety Programming, CTV Inc. Susanne Boyce is President, CTV Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group.

Visit the Corner Gas website at www.cornergas.com.

About CTV

CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast, CTV National News With Lloyd Robertson, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTV owns 21 conventional television stations across Canada and has interests in 16 specialty channels, including the number-one Canadian specialty channel, TSN. CTV is owned by Bell Globemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

About WGN

Superstation WGN, part of Tribune Broadcasting Company, is a nationally distributed cable network with broad-based, family programming consisting of cable exclusives, first-run programs, blockbuster movies and sports, available in 70 million homes. For more program information or additional information visit www.superstationwgn.com.