Canadian Idol schedule change: Sept. 17

Press release from CTV:

CTV Sets up Super Sunday as Canadian Idol Moves to New Timeslot for 90-Minute Season Finale, Sept. 17 on CTV

Melissa O’Neil confirmed to perform as Idol finale kicks off a blockbuster night on CTV

CTV announced today that it has scheduled the 90-minute season finale of Canadian Idol for Sunday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV (check local listings). The scheduling manoeuvre is positioned to deliver a winning audience for the premieres of The Amazing Race and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which will debut immediately following the announcement of Canada’s next Canadian Idol. It all adds up to a blockbuster night on CTV as the end of summer’s most-watched show kicks off the start of two of this fall’s most-anticipated series.

“We schedule to win and the Canadian Idol finale – one of the highlights of the year on Canadian television – will deliver audience momentum into the fall TV season,” said Susanne Boyce, CTV President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group.

Featuring the final competitive performances from the Top 2, the final Canadian Idol performance episode will continue to air live on Monday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. on CTV. The scheduling move allows the tension and excitement to build from the final voting night to the moment the results are announced a full six days later.

CTV also announced today that reigning Canadian Idol champ Melissa O’Neil will pass on the Idol crown after performing live during the 90-minute season finale. Additional performers and details regarding the Canadian Idol season finale will be announced soon.

In what promises to be an electric evening starting at 7 p.m. ET on CTV, viewers will learn the name of the next Canadian Idol before meeting the new teams of the tenth instalment of the Emmy Award-winning The Amazing Race at 8:30 p.m. ET. Then, Canadians will be the first in the world to be introduced to the highly anticipated new drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, starring Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford, at 10 p.m. ET.

Before that, it’s the biggest show of the season for Canada’s favourite television series, Canadian Idol. The special 90-minute results episode will see the Top 10 reunited as the eight eliminated competitors join the Top 2 to perform once again on the Canadian Idol stage. And in what has become a yearly tradition, the episode will also feature a live performance by last year’s Canadian Idol winner, Melissa O’Neil.

Since winning the Canadian Idol title last September, O’Neil has signed a recording deal with SONY BMG MUSIC (CANADA) INC, released her self-titled debut album and toured the country with Idol runner-up Rex Goudie. O’Neil’s album is approaching Platinum status as she begins co-writing her next album with several prominent music writers.

“We are so happy to have Melissa back on the Canadian Idol stage,” said Executive Producer, John Brunton. “Melissa is a great role model for this year’s competitors as she has demonstrated absolute class while making her mark in the Canadian music industry this past year.”