E! to Return to Canada

TORONTO: E! Entertainment Television is going back on the air in Canada, thanks to an agreement between CTV and Comcast International Media Group (CIMG).

Formerly known as Star!, the new Canadian E! channel launches November 29 and will be immediately available in more than 6.2 million Canadian households. The service will have a new commitment to create original Canadian programming. E! in Canada will present 50-percent Canadian programming throughout the broadcast year, including 40 percent in prime time. The channel will have exclusive access to current programming on E!, including hits such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Chelsea Lately, The Soup and more. The agreement also calls for exclusive access to E!’s variety of digital media assets in Canada, covering mobile and VOD. A Canadian-managed website will feature both E! and original digital content, allowing for integration of Canadian ad sales.

“E! is a specialty brand for a specialty service. It’s a hot network that has seen dramatic year-over-year ratings growth,” said Susanne Boyce, the president of creative, content and channels at CTV. “The time is right to refresh our own entertainment channel so it can achieve its potential for viewers and advertisers. E! is a dynamic complement to what we’ve built with ETALK, Canada’s number one entertainment source.”

“We’re delighted to bring E! back to audiences in Canada as we enter this new partnership with CTV,” added Duccio Donati, the executive VP of CIMG. “E!’s signature content has been a long-time favourite with TV viewers in the market and the network’s robust lineup of entertainment news programming, hit reality series and red carpet coverage, complement the channel’s localized programming, as part of an E! branded 24/7 channel.”