Catch The First Wave of CTV's Summer 2015 Schedule

– CTV delivers all-new seasons of the wildly popular MASTERCHEF (May 20), SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (June 1), and MISTRESSES (June 18) –
– CTV is the destination for award shows and live events this summer with THE 2015 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS (May 17) and FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CANADA 2015™ (beginning June 6) –

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TORONTO, May 11, 2015 /CNW/ - Competing, cooking, cheating, and chuckling…CTV has something to offer everyone this summer, as Canada's most-watched network unveiled its first wave of Summer 2015 programming today. An all-new season of MASTERCHEF returns with a special two-hour premiere Wednesday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO. Season 6 serves up new ingredients as Christina Tosi (NYC's Milk Bar) joins the roster of judges alongside chefs Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot. With an average audience of 2.3 million last season, MASTERCHEF was one of Canada's Top 10 Competition Series of 2013-2014.

This summer, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (June 1) returns with special two-hour episodes each week and a new format in what is being dubbed as "Stage vs. Street" – pitting dancers trained in contemporary, ballet, jazz, and/or tap against hopefuls skilled in hip-hop, animation and breaking. Plus, Jennifer Esposito (BLUE BLOODS) and Rob Mayes (THE CLIENT LIST) join the cast of the provocative and thrilling drama MISTRESSES (June 18), which returns for its third season.

And CTV doesn't skip a beat delivering another star-studded celebration of music with THE 2015 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS, airing live Sunday, May 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times). Broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, THE 2015 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS is co-hosted by TV host and supermodel Chrissy Teigen and Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist and actor Ludacris. Live events continue all summer long, as CTV also delivers FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CANADA 2015™ matches (beginning June 6) – the largest women's sporting event in the world.

Additional Summer 2015 programming to be announced in the coming weeks.

** Media Note ** Download photos for CTV's Summer 2015 series at BellMediaPR.ca

A closer look at the Summer 2015 programming (Part 1):

All programming is subject to change, and all times ET/PT. Visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times.

THE 2015 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS
Sunday, May 17 at 8 p.m.
Available live and on demand on CTV.caand CTV GO
This year, THE 2015 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS opens with the world premiere of Taylor Swift's highly anticipated new music video for "Bad Blood" and features a first-ever performance on any award show by Van Halen, one of the greatest rock bands of all-time. Another award show performance first includes the highly anticipated performance by Britney Spears featuring Iggy Izalea with the worldwide television debut of her new single "Pretty Girls." In addition, the band Simple Minds will perform their hit single "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from the 1985 movie The Breakfast Club, which coincides with the 30^th anniversary of the iconic song reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band will be introduced to the stage by the film's star, Molly Ringwald.

Additional performers set to rock the stage at THE 2015 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS include upcoming MMVAs co-host Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, John Legend, Hozier, Nick Jonas, Mariah Carey, Fall Out Boy featuring Wiz Khalifa, Jussie Smollett and Bryshere "Yazz" Gray featuring British songstress Estelle. A mix of television, music, and film stars slated to present this year include 50 Cent, Laverne Cox, Celine Dion, the cast of ENTOURAGE (Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, Adrian Grenier), Taraji P. Henson, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, NE-YO, Rita Ora, Ellen Pompeo, and more.

Twelve-time Billboard Music Award winner Taylor Swift leads with 14 nominations in 13 categories closely followed by Sam Smith with 13 nominations in 13 categories. For a complete list of finalists, click here.

MASTERCHEF (Season 6) – *SPECIAL TWO-HOUR PREMIERE*
Wednesdays at 8 p.m., beginning May 20
Available live and on demand on CTV.ca and CTV GO
This season, host and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot welcome new judge Christina Tosi, renowned pastry chef, owner, and founder of New York City's Milk Bar, to MASTERCHEF. Season 6 will feature 40 home cooks from all walks of life – including an engineer, chiropractor, elementary music teacher, petroleum landman, fashion stylist, and a drummer – all with the hopes of turning their culinary dreams into a reality.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season 12) – *TWO-HOUR EPISODES*
Mondays at 8 p.m., beginning June 1
Available live and on demand on CTV.ca
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE keeps viewers amazed and inspired as talented dancers compete to be named America's Favorite Dancer. New this season, the dancers who advance will be placed into two teams: the Stage dancers, featuring those trained in styles such as contemporary, ballet, jazz or tap; and the Street dancers – hopefuls skilled in hip-hop, animation or breaking. As the auditions continue, judges Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, and Jason Derulo, along with each team's All-Star Mentor, eliminate dancers until only the Top 20 remain. When the competition goes live, the Top 20 will be challenged weekly to perform a variety of styles, working with world-renowned choreographers. In what is being dubbed as "Stage vs. Street" (10 Street Dancers vs. 10 Stage Dancers) this season, one dancer from each genre will be eliminated each week leading up to the season finale. Hosted by Cat Deeley.

FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CANADA 2015™
June 6 to July 5 on CTV, TSN and RDS
Available live and on demand on CTV.ca and CTV GO, TSN.ca and TSN GO, and RDS.ca and RDS GO
This summer, CTV, TSN, and RDS deliver live broadcast coverage of all 52 games from the FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CANADA 2015™. Currently ranked #8 in the world, Canada will face off against #16-ranked China PR in the tournament's opening match on Saturday, June 6 at 6 p.m. ET on CTV/RDS. Taking place in six cities across Canada (Edmonton, Moncton, Montréal, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Winnipeg), the FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CANADA 2015™ culminates with the Final on Sunday, July 5 at 6:30 p.m. ET on CTV/RDS in Vancouver. CTV and TSN's complete broadcast schedule for the FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CANADA 2015™ is available here.

MISTRESSES (Season 3) – *SPECIAL TWO-HOUR PREMIERE*
Thursdays at 9 p.m., beginning June 18
Available live and on demand on CTV.ca  and CTV GO
Returning for a third season, the provocative and thrilling drama MISTRESSES continues to focus on the scandalous lives of a sexy and sassy group of girlfriends – each on their own path to self-discovery. When it comes to love, these girlfriends find support and guidance with each other as they push the limits, test their boundaries and discover just how far they are prepared to go. They are willing to brave love's turbulent journey, as well as its excitement, secrecy and betrayal, all the while bound by the complex relationships they've created. New this season, Jennifer Esposito (BLUE BLOODS) joins the cast in the role of Calista Raines and Rob Mayes (THE CLIENT LIST) in the role of Marc. The series also stars Yunjin Kim (LOST), Rochelle Aytes (CRIMINAL MINDS), Jes Macallan (RED BAND SOCIETY), and Brett Tucker (Thor: The Dark World).

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About CTV
CTV is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 13 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. 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.

Source: Numeris (BBM Canada), Masterchef Season 5 (May 26-Sept 15, 2014); 2013-14 Broadcast Year (Sept 23, 2013 to Sept 14, 2014)\

SOURCE CTV