Bell Media Celebrates World Television Day, Thursday

- Cross-platform coverage of #WorldTVDay highlights TV's powerful impact on audiences worldwide -

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TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - The shooting of JFK. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Who shot JR? The series finale of CORNER GAS. The Challenger disaster. Men's and Women's Olympic hockey gold. Television moments uniting viewers in awe, joy, and sorrow, and sharing feelings of enlightenment and sheer entertainment. Bell Media proudly celebrates the 17^th Annual World Television Day on Thursday, Nov. 21, with comprehensive, cross-platform coverage highlighting the undeniably powerful impact of television in enriching our collective consciousness and cultural fabric.

An initiative set in place by the United Nations in 1996, #WorldTVDay recognizes the role of television in helping shape modern democracy, freedom of expression, and cultural diversity.

Bell Media extends its commitment to serving Canadian audiences on World Television Day by joining the synchronized efforts of broadcasters around the world raising public awareness around the key role of television. All day Thursday, Bell Media's diverse range of television properties will air the official World Television Day public service announcement, shining the spotlight on the role of TV in shaping modern society and emphasizing its crucial contribution to entertainment as well as international politics, the economy, and education.

"The role of television far eclipses the notion of providing fodder for water cooler conversations - TV is woven into every aspect of life and culture," said Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media. "From arts and entertainment, music and science, to history, sports, documentaries, and news, television is a binding force that brings people together, and ultimately serves as a beacon for freedom of expression and cultural diversity. We are gratefully honoured to play a role in this transcendent medium and deliver on our mandate to entertain, inform, inspire, and engage our audiences."

Cross-platform highlights of the day's festivities kick off first thing in the morning with segments on CANADA AM, CP24, and BNN, and continues throughout the day on CTV News Channel, CTV NEWS TORONTO, THE SOCIAL, ETALK, MTV NEWS, E!, TheLoop.ca, Discovery, INNERSPACE, and The Movie Network.

Highlights from Bell Media's extensive roster of programming in support of World Television Day on Thursday, Nov. 21 includes:

INNERSPACE - 6 p.m. ET on SPACE
INNERSPACE hosts Ajay Fry and Morgan Hoffman discuss how television contributed to genre fandemonium.

DAILY PLANET - 7 p.m. ET on Discovery
DAILY PLANET co-hosts Dan Riskin and Ziya Tong celebrate World Television Day with a special segment looking at the "Top 10 Greatest Televised Science Moments" that have inspired viewers and changed the world, including Neil Armstrong's 1969 walk on the moon, Felix Baumgartner's world record 39 km skydive from the edge of space, and the eerie first ROV images from Titanic on the ocean floor.

The Loop.ca - 'Showbiz' TV section will include an explainer of what World Television Day is, and will lend social media support on both TheLoop.ca and TV Guide Canada.

The Movie Network - MOVIE ENTERTAINMENT's Teri Hart offers up Teri's POV on the Movie Entertainment page, with a personal look at the enormous impact of television from an entertainment perspective.

World Television Day boldly underscores Bell Media's commitment to delivering broadcast content to educate, engage, inform and inspire Canadians from coast-to-coast.

About Bell Media
With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's #1 television network; 34 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada's most-watched specialty channels in English and French; four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran; and is managing shareholder of premium pay-per-view service Viewers Choice Canada. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 107 licensed radio stations in 55 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada's most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites, delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including TMN GO and Bravo GO, and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company.

SOURCE: CTV