Olympic Games Launch Pad: New CTV Original Series HICCUPS, DAN FOR MAYOR, and THE BRIDGE Get Post-Olympic Games Premieres

- Brent Butt, Nancy Robertson and Fred Ewanuick return in HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR, March 1 -

- Aaron Douglas heats up Friday Nights in new police drama THE BRIDGE, March 5 -

Toronto, ON (February 2, 2010) - CTV announced today it has strategically scheduled three new Original Canadian series to debut next month, immediately following the conclusion of the VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES. The three series will benefit from weeks of promotion during what is to be one of the most-watched television events of the year.

First, CTV's hit Monday night comedy block expands to two hours on March 1, the day following the close of Vancouver 2010. At 8 p.m. ET, Brent Butt is back in HICCUPS, starring CORNER GAS' co-star Nancy Robertson as children's author Millie Upton. Then, at 8:30 p.m. ET, CORNER GAS alumnus Fred Ewanuick stars as a hapless electoral candidate in DAN FOR MAYOR. Both comedies join Top 10, smash-hit, laugh-makers TWO AND A HALF MEN and THE BIG BANG THEORY, which follow at 9 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET, respectively.

Later that week it's the much-anticipated premiere of CTV's newest one-hour original drama series, THE BRIDGE. Starring BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Aaron Douglas, THE BRIDGE is an authentic and unique twist on the police procedural told through the lens of a charismatic police union leader. The series debuts Friday, March 5 at 9 p.m. ET with a special two-hour series premiere before moving to its regular Fridays at 10 p.m. ET timeslot beginning March 12 on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

Episodes of HICCUPS, DAN FOR MAYOR and THE BRIDGE will also be available on demand in HD on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca following their television broadcast. HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR also air Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning March 6 on The Comedy Network and will also be available for purchase from popular download sites.

HICCUPS

Set in Vancouver, the hilarious Nancy Robertson (CORNER GAS) stars as Millie Upton, a children's author with anger management issues and other emotional �hiccups�, who seeks guidance from less-than-qualified life coach Stan Dirko. Playing Dirko is the mastermind behind CTV's hit comedy CORNER GAS, Brent Butt, who also acts as creator, writer, executive producer and director. It's a case of the lost leading the lost, with the best of intentions and very little chance of success. HICCUPS series regulars include Laura Soltis (THE GUARD), David Ingram (SMALLVILLE), Emily Perkins (Ginger Snaps) and Paula Rivera (FLASHPOINT).

DAN FOR MAYOR

Dan's (CORNER GAS star Fred Ewanuick) life has been fairly uneventful until he is faced with the unexpected career change of running for mayor of his hometown. He lives and works in the fictional city of Wessex, Ontario, has the same friends since grade school, his most prized possession is a vintage Ms. Pac-Man game, and his last serious relationship was with a girl who is now engaged to someone else. DAN FOR MAYOR follows Dan's journey of self-discovery as he, his ex-girlfriend, Claire (Mary Ashton, DEGRASSI GOES HOLLYWOOD), and best friend, Jeff (Paul Bates, Welcome to Mooseport), figure out Dan's new-found political career, deal with the unexpected and prove that experience isn't everything. DAN FOR MAYOR also stars Ben Ayres (VAMPIRE DIARIES); Suzanne Coy (HEARTLAND); Agam Darshi (SANCTUARY); Laurie Murdoch (FLASHPOINT); David Ferry (THIS IS WONDERLAND); and Lara Jean Chorostecki (DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION).

THE BRIDGE

After the rank and file unanimously vote tough and dedicated street cop Frank Leo (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Aaron Douglas) into office as the police union's dynamic leader, he begins his quest to put street cops first and clean up the force from the ground up as he battles criminals on the street, police department brass and corruption in the ranks. But the old boys' network running the police force and the city's self-serving politicians are not about to sit idly by while a former street cop makes up his own rules. Frank walks the thin blue line as he battles criminals on the streets, corruption in the ranks and the politically motivated department brass, letting nothing stop him from fulfilling his unwavering vow that when cops are in trouble, he will be there to protect the protectors. THE BRIDGE also stars Paul Popowich (ANGELA'S EYES, I ME WED); Inga Cadranel (RENT-A-GOALIE, MVP); Frank Cassini (Vice, INTELLIGENCE); Theresa Joy (ALL THE GOOD ONES ARE MARRIED, Sixty Days); Ona Grauer (STARGATE SG-1 and STARGATE ATLANTIS); Michael Murphy (Away from Her, X-Men: The Last Stand); and Stuart Margolin (THE ROCKFORD FILES, TOM STONE).

About CTV

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. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country and owns or has interests in leading national specialty channels, featuring news, sports, factual, arts, entertainment, music, youth and fashion programming. CTV Inc. is owned by CTVglobemedia Inc.Canada's premier multi-media company, which also owns Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. CTV is the official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad. More information about CTV may be found on the network's website at www.ctv.ca.