CTV Mourns the Death of Legendary Canadian Sports Broadcaster Johnny Esaw

CTV Mourns the Death of Legendary Canadian Sports Broadcaster Johnny Esaw


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TORONTO, April 7, 2013 /CNW/ - CTV extends its deepest condolences to
the family, friends, and colleagues of legendary Canadian sports
broadcaster Johnny Esaw.  Esaw passed away yesterday in Toronto at the
age of 87.



"All of us at CTV and Bell Media are deeply saddened by the passing of
Johnny Esaw, a true legend in sports broadcasting.  Throughout his
career, Johnny was a pioneer in his field and a relentless champion of
Canadian amateur sports.  His contributions to the CFL, figure skating,
and the Olympic Games in Canada rank with those of the finest sports
broadcast leaders in the country.  Although Johnny retired from CTV in
1990, his impact and legacy still resonate with us at CTV, TSN, and RDS
today.  He will be truly missed," said Phil King, President, CTV
Programming and Sports, Bell Media.



"I knew Johnny my entire professional career.  Long before TSN and
Sportsnet, as President of CTV Sports, he established himself as a true
pioneer of sports television in Canada and beyond.  He was our version
of Roone Arledge.  His support of figure skating is unsurpassed and his
innovation in coverage of the sport, both as executive producer and
commentator, is legendary around the world.  I also remember Johnny for
the many careers that he launched and the industry leaders that he
created.  He had the rare combination of being a brilliant business man
and incredibly creative.  To me he was a mentor and an icon.  Canada
and the sports world today mourn the loss of a great man," said Rick
Brace, President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production, Bell Media,
and former President, TSN.



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 10 years
in a row. 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.


SOURCE CTV

CTV

CONTACT: Greg McIsaac, (w) 416.384.5180, (c) 416.458.3591, greg.mcisaac@bellmedia.ca


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