Series Premiere of THE BRIDGE Wins Time Slot and Locks Up One Million Viewers on CTV

The series premiere of the new CTV original series THE BRIDGE debuted #1 in its 9 p.m. timeslot in Canada Friday night on CTV, with one million viewers. THE BRIDGE becomes the most-watched series premiere for a Canadian drama this season, based on preliminary overnight data.* The audience peaked at 1.25 million viewers, with nearly 3.5 million Canadians tuning in to some part of the two-hour premiere. In Toronto, THE BRIDGE was the #1 series of the day with Viewers 2+ and Adults 25-54.

THE BRIDGE retained 87% of its 8 p.m. lead in, GHOST WHISPERER, which garnered 1.15 million viewers on CTV and CBS. Saturday’s encore broadcast on CTV attracted 364,000 viewers. Watch it online now at CTV.ca.

THE BRIDGE won both the 9 and 10 p.m. ET timeslots against SHARK TANK (ABC/Global; 536,000; 9-10 p.m.) and NUMB3RS (CBS/Global; 788,000; 10-11 p.m.) and delivered two-and-a-half times more viewers than the series premiere of WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE (NBC/City, 8-9 p.m. 398,000).

THE BRIDGE is the third CTV original series to premiere with a million or more viewers in the same week following the debuts of HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR, both with 1.9 million viewers.

In this week’s episode if THE BRIDGE, entitled “The Fat Lady Sings the Blues” (Friday, March 12 at 10 p.m. ET on CTV) Frank (Aaron Douglas) is forced to hit the streets and play by the bad guys’ rules after a retired narcotics cop is found murdered.

CTV’s HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR Debut with 1.9 Million Viewers Each

• Two new homegrown comedies win timeslots against HOUSE and THE BACHELOR
• Inaugural CTV.ca live online chats a great success with almost 700 comments submitted
• HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR latest to join CTV’s online line-up at CTV.ca

CTV’s newest homegrown comedies, HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR, premiered to 1.9 million viewers each last night, becoming the most-watched premieres of any scripted Canadian series this season. The two new series won the 8 – 9 p.m. ET timeslot against both HOUSE (Global/FOX, 1.3 million) and the season finale of THE BACHELOR (City/ABC, 1.3 million, 8-9 p.m.). Head-to-head, HICCUPS delivered 240% more viewers than 18 TO LIFE (CBC; 558,000) at 8 p.m. ET, while DAN FOR MAYOR delivered 374% more viewers than LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE (CBC; 404,000) at 8:30 p.m. ET.

HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR delivered a big lead-in to their counterparts in CTV’s Monday night comedy block, with both TWO AND A HALF MEN and BIG BANG THEORY winning the night with 2.3 million viewers each at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET.

Last night, CTV.ca hosted the site’s first ever live online chat during a premiere broadcast. HICCUPS star Nancy Robertson and DAN FOR MAYOR star Fred Ewanuick interacted with fans through the premiere of their respective shows. Both stars answered questions directly from fans, and responded to comments about their new shows, careers, Team Canada Men’s Hockey, and the legacy of CORNER GAS. Announced only days before broadcast, viewers responded with amazing enthusiasm, submitting almost 700 questions and comments.

Both HICCUPS Live Chat with Nancy Robertson and DAN FOR MAYOR Live Chat with Fred Ewanuick remain available for replay, and both premieres will be available on CTV.ca beginning Sunday, March 7, following encore broadcasts of HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR on Saturday, March 6 at 8 and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on The Comedy Network.

The laughs continue next week when HICCUPS and DAN FOR MAYOR return with new episodes, Monday, March 8 at 8 and 8:30 p.m. ET.

On HICCUPS, Stan comes to Millie’s aid when she gets in trouble with her condo council. At Haddison House, Joyce promises to look at some of Taylor’s clients if he promises to find someone to fix her dying plants.

On DAN FOR MAYOR, a tragic public transport accident leaves Dan thinking he is a shoe-in for the position of Mayor. But Dan is shocked to learn that the late Mayor is still ahead in the polls. Dan is also beginning to realize that the people close to him, like his campaign manager (and best friend) Jeff, don’t believe he’s qualified for the job.

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