CTV Partners With Fox Studios For New Canadian Drama Series

CTV Partners With Fox Studios For New Canadian Drama Series

CTV is DEFYING GRAVITY: Canadian Broadcaster Partners with Fox Television Studios and Omni Film for New Drama Series

- Canadian/U.S. co-venture between Fox Television Studios and Omni Film Productions -

- CTV and SPACE to broadcast new sci-fi drama with the BBC and Germany's ProSieben -

- Vancouver-based series created by GREY'S ANATOMY's James Parriott and executive produced by DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES' Michael Edelstein -

- Ron Livingston signed on to star -

TORONTO, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- CTV, along with Vancouver's Omni Film Productions Limited and Fox Television Studios, jointly announced today they will partner on a new, one-hour Canadian drama series, DEFYING GRAVITY. Executive produced by series creator and award-winning writer/producer James Parriott (GREY'S ANATOMY, UGLY BETTY) and Michael Edelstein (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES), DEFYING GRAVITY is a Canadian/U.S. co-venture that will air in Canada on CTV and SPACE, in the United Kingdom on BBC and in Germany on ProSieben. Starring Ron Livingston (BAND OF BROTHERS, Office Space), production begins on 13, one-hour episodes in Vancouver, British Columbia in early 2009. Casting is currently underway for a Canadian female lead to join Livingston. Canadian television director David Straiton (HOUSE, LIFE) has signed on to direct the series' first episode.

DEFYING GRAVITY is a sexy, provocative relationship drama set in the very near future against the background of our solar system, in which eight astronauts from five countries (four women and four men) undertake a mysterious six-year international space mission covering eight billion miles. With the eyes of the world upon them - everything they do is monitored, and every emotion they feel, scrutinized - they soon discover that their real assignment is not at all what they thought.

"We are thrilled to join forces with James Parriott and Michael Edelstein, renowned for some of television's most engaging, award-winning ensemble dramas," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. "Along with Fox Television Studios and Omni Film Productions and our partners at BBC and ProSieben, we can't wait to see how the drama unfolds a billion miles from Earth."

David Madden, executive vice president, programming, Fox Television Studios, said, "We are honored to be producing this series with enormous talents like James Parriott, the showrunner behind GREY'S ANATOMY and UGLY BETTY, and one of the finest writers in television today; and Michael Edelstein, who was a driving force behind DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. It's a tribute to James' script that we have been able to attract an actor like Ron Livingston, who not only made a permanent imprint in film comedy with Office Space, but who was so memorable in SEX AND THE CITY and so moving in telefilms like BAND OF BROTHERS and our own 44 MINUTES. This series dramatizes man's first venture beyond the orbit of the moon - it's romantic, daring, and deeply exciting, and we expect it to be a skyrocket."

"Omni Film is tremendously excited to lift off on this historic journey," affirmed Canadian Executive Producer Brian Hamilton for Omni Film Productions. "DEFYING GRAVITY is a unique programming event which will appeal to fans of relationship dramas like GREY'S ANATOMY, and passionate sci-fi aficionados as well."

DEFYING GRAVITY was created by award-winning, Emmy-nominated writer/producer James Parriott (executive producer on GREY'S ANATOMY and UGLY BETTY). Parriott and Emmy-nominated producer Michael Edelstein (executive producer on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) are executive producers, along with Omni's Brian Hamilton and Michael Chechik. Ron French (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) is the producer. DEFYING GRAVITY is produced by Fox Television Studios and Omni Film Productions (producers of CTV's critically-acclaimed series ROBSON ARMS) in association with CTV.

ABOUT CTV
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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. CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada's premier multi-media company which owns CTV Inc. and The Globe and Mail. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country, and leading national specialty channels. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

ABOUT SPACE
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SPACE is Canada's national science fiction, speculation, and fantasy channel. Offering the finest in genre programming, viewers need not look further for their fix of the paranormal, edgy, scary, creepy, and fun! SPACE is truly the boutique station for all those who dare to challenge their imagination (www.spacecast.com). SPACE is owned by CTV Limited, a division of CTVglobemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company.

ABOUT FOX TELEVISION STUDIOS
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Fox Television Studios develops and produces scripted and non-scripted programming for major U.S. broadcast and cable networks, and international broadcasters. The studio's scripted programming slate includes THE SHIELD, starring Emmy(R) award-winner Michael Chiklis; BURN NOTICE on USA Network; SAVING GRACE on TNT, starring Academy Award(R)-winner and Emmy nominee Holly Hunter; MENTAL, produced in conjunction with Fox International Channels, and starring Chris Vance and Emmy award-winner Annabella Sciorra; and PERSONS UNKNOWN, from Academy Award-winning writer Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) who is executive-producing with Heather McQuarrie, and Executive Producer Remi Aubuchon. The series is produced in Mexico in conjunction with the broadcaster Televisa. The studio's alternative roster includes the late-night TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN, now in its third season on FOX; and the hit reality show, THE GIRLS NEXT DOOR, on E!

ABOUT OMNI FILM PRODUCTIONS LIMITED
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Omni Film Productions Limited is one of Canada's most respected television production companies, producing top quality programming in a wide variety of genres. Since 1979 Omni has produced over 175 hours of television dramas, documentaries, factual and lifestyle series and children's programming resulting in over 75 national and international awards. Omni's series include ROBSON ARMS and ALICE, I THINK (both for CTV and The Comedy Network), BUFFALO AIR, THIS SPACE FOR RENT, EDGEMONT, STUNTDAWGS, MAKE SOME NOISE, THE ODYSSEY, CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD, ANCIENT CLUES, QUIET PLACES, HEALTHY HOME, HI-TECH CULTURE and most recently the mini-series DRAGON BOYS.

Source: CTV INC.

CONTACT: Jim Quan, CTV Inc., (416) 332-5311 or jquan@ctv.ca; Steve
Harmaty, Omni Film Productions, (604) 681-6543 x103 or stephen@omnifilm.com;
Leslie Oren, Fox Television Studios, (310) 445-3118 or
leslie@babygrande-inc.com

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