CTV, Fox International Channels, and Shaftesbury Announce Start of Production on Season 3 of THE LISTENER

- ION Television acquires THE LISTENER for U.S. broadcast -

- Guest star appearances lined up for Season 3 include Fefe Dobson, Rossif Sutherland, Kristin Lehman, Wes Williams, and more -

Toronto, ON (October 4, 2011) - Shaftesbury, in association with CTV and Fox International Channels, today announced that production is underway on Season 3 of the original drama series THE LISTENER. It was also announced that U.S. entertainment network ION Television has acquired the first two seasons of the series for broadcast in 2012 with the option for future seasons. Starring Craig Olejnik as mind-reading paramedic Toby Logan, THE LISTENER is broadcast on CTV and Bravo! in Canada, and internationally by Fox International Channels in 120 countries and 33 languages.

Season 3 of the 13 episode, one-hour series is currently shooting in and around Toronto until February 2012, with guest stars to include Kristin Lehman (THE KILLING), Rossif Sutherland (I'm Yours), Ian Tracey (HELL ON WHEELS), Canadian rapper, record producer and actor Wes Williams (CRA$H & BURN), JUNO Award-nominee Fefe Dobson, and more.

"THE LISTENER's audience keeps growing season-over-season as strong characters mix an element of drama with comedic banter," said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Productions, Bell Media. "It's great television of which we're incredibly proud."

"With its unique blend of drama, investigation, action and humour, THE LISTENER is an internationally successful franchise that offers a fresh take on the one-hour procedural," said Christina Jennings, Chairman and CEO, Shaftesbury. "We're looking forward to bringing new episodes of the series to Canadian and international viewers in partnership with CTV and Fox International Channels, and to introducing the series to new audiences in the U.S. with ION Television."

Averaging 1.03 million viewers on CTV, THE LISTENER saw an impressive 13% growth among total viewers in Season 2. Following on the heels of Season 2's dramatic finale, Season 3 finds Toby (Olejnik) having apparently renounced the use of his paranormal gift and severing ties with Sgt. McCluskey, after the strain of using his abilities starts to take a toll on his health. But he is unexpectedly thrust back into the world of the IIB when he finds himself in the middle of a bank heist being pulled off by a desperate team of robbers (Rossif Sutherland, I'm Yours and Ian Tracey, INTELLIGENCE). It will take all of Toby's skills, both as a paramedic and a mind reader, to keep him and his fellow hostages alive.

Following this high-tension opening, Toby finds himself challenged on all fronts, especially in his personal relationships. Meanwhile, Toby's best friend and paramedic partner, Oz (Ennis Esmer, Young People F**king), moves into the apartment next door to Toby, and works up the courage to make a commitment to St. Luke Hospital triage nurse Sandy (Tara Spencer-Nairn).

The ensemble cast of THE LISTENER includes Craig Olejnik (The Timekeeper) as Toby Logan; Gemini-nominated Lauren Lee Smith (CSI; THE L WORD) as IIB Sergeant Michelle McCluskey; Ennis Esmer (Young People F**king) as paramedic Oz Bey; Rainbow Sun Francks (STARGATE ATLANTIS) as Corp. Dev Clark, McCluskey's computer maven partner; Peter Stebbings (MADISON) as Alvin Klein, the IIB's brilliant in-house legal expert; Myl�ne Dinh-Robic (STARGATE ATLANTIS) as Dr. Olivia Fawcett, Toby's confidante and colleague at St. Luke Hospital; Tara Spencer-Nairn (CORNER GAS) as Sandy, St. Luke Hospital's triage nurse who runs the floor with military precision; and Arnold Pinnock (COMBAT HOSPITAL) as EMS supervisor George Ryder.

U.S. entertainment network ION Television has acquired the first two seasons of THE LISTENER from Shaftesbury Sales Company for broadcast in 2012. The deal was finalized by Shine International, which distributes THE LISTENER internationally.

THE LISTENER is produced by Shaftesbury in association with CTV and Fox International Channels. The series is executive produced by Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury, and Karen Troubetzkoy (18 TO LIFE) and Peter Mohan (LOST GIRL, THE BRIDGE), who serves as Season 3 showrunner. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Robin Johnston and Rebecca Dipasquale are production executives for Bell Media. Sharon Tal Yguado is Executive Producer for Fox International Channels. THE LISTENER is produced with the financial participation of The Canada Media Fund, The Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit and The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit.

Viewers who want to catch-up on the first two seasons of THE LISTENER can watch episodes online at CTV.ca.

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 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 ctv.ca

About Shaftesbury

Founded in 1987, Shaftesbury is an award-winning creator, producer and distributor of original content for television and multiple platforms, with programming available in more than 120 countries worldwide. Recent productions include three seasons of The Listener for CTV and Fox International Channels; five seasons of Murdoch Mysteries for Citytv, UKTV and ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment; and two seasons of Good Dog, an irreverent comedy from acclaimed writer and producer Ken Finkleman (The Newsroom) for HBO Canada. Shaftesbury's slate of programming for kids and families includes the global hit series Life with Derek and the movie follow-up to the series, Vacation with Derek. Shaftesbury's divisions include Shaftesbury U.S., located in Los Angeles and focused on development for the U.S. market; Shaftesbury Factual, dedicated to non-fiction storytelling across a broad spectrum of genres; Smokebomb Entertainment, Shaftesbury's digital media branch responsible for the development and production of original multiplatform series and companion web experiences; and Shaftesbury Sales Company, which manages international sales and distribution for the company's content. www.shaftesbury.ca

About FOX International Channels

FOX International Channels (FIC) is News Corporation's international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 183 wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, factual, sports and movie channels across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, in 35 languages. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high-definition extensions, reach over 300 million subscribing households (875 million cumulative) worldwide. We also operate a global online advertising unit, .FOX (pronounced "dot-fox") specialized in online video and display, and four TV production houses. In operation since: August 14, 1993.

About ION Television

ION Television is a leading U.S. general entertainment network, combining high-quality programming and dependable broadcast distribution with an attitude of innovation and growth normally associated with a cable channel. Its "Positively Entertaining" network brand positioning features a formula of proven series, an expansive catalog of blockbuster movies and a commitment to introduce new original programming. Since its recent launch in 2008, ION's reach has grown to 99 million households and has become one of the top-15 TV rated U.S. networks in record time. For more information, visit www.iontelevision.com