August 8, 2006

Rob James is the Next to Go from Canadian Idol

-- Chantal Kreviazuk guest stars on next week’s “Unplugged” episodes --

Toronto, ON (August 8, 2006) – Winnipeg’s first and only Top 10 competitor has been eliminated from Canadian Idol. Songwriter/producer Rob James, 28, received the fewest votes following last night’s nationwide poll, it was revealed live tonight on CTV. In all, 2.6 million votes were cast following last night’s live tribute to Classic Rock. James was the oldest competitor remaining in the competition. Now, six remain as the hunt for Canada’s next Canadian Idol intensifies.

** Media Note ** - Photography from tonight’s show as well as an all-new photo of the remaining six Canadian Idol finalists can be found online at the Canadian Idol Media Centre at www.idolpix.ca. Additionally, audio clips from tonight’s show can be downloaded at www.idolpix.ca.

Peaking at 2.25 million viewers, Monday’s Canadian Idol episode was watched by 1.95 million viewers, up 10 per cent compared to last week among the key A18-34 demo and up 9 per cent compared to last week among A18-49. Canadian Idol remains not only the most-watched talent competition on television among all major demos, including total viewers (2+), A18-34, A18-49 and A25-54, but remains the most-watched program currently on television, period.*

On tonight’s live results episode, the Canadian Idol Top 7 opened the show with a group performance of “Babe” with former STYX singer Dennis DeYoung as well as “Give a Little Bit” with Roger Hodgson, formerly of Supertramp. Later in the show, Hodgson played piano and guitar while performing “Dreamer,” “The Logical Song” and “Breakfast in America.” DeYoung followed, performing “Lady,” “Mr. Roboto” and “Come Sail Away.”

Then it was down to business when host Ben Mulroney revealed the names of the two competitors who received the fewest votes last night: Winnipeg’s James, as well as Steffi DiDomenicantonio, 17, from Orleans, ON. Despite never placing in the bottom group of performers in any Top 10 show before, James was ultimately eliminated and DiDomenicantonio was spared yet again. James closed the show with a reprise of his Monday night performance of Grand Funk Railroad’s “(She’s) Some Kind of Wonderful.”

DiDomenticantonio returns next week to perform in the world’s first Idol “Unplugged” episodes, featuring guest star Chantal Kreviazuk. The Canadian singer/songwriter workshops with the remaining six Canadian Idol competitors on Monday, August 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV (check local listings). Then, on Tuesday, August 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, Kreviazuk performs live on an all-new stage from CTV’s intimate Masonic Temple studios.

In addition to DiDomenicantonio, the remaining finalists are: Eva Avila, 19, Gatineau, QC; Ashley Coulter, 23, Emeryville, ON; Chad Doucette, 18, East Chezzetcook, NS; Tyler Lewis, 20, Rockglen, SK; and Craig Sharpe, 16, Upper Island Cover, NL.

Tickets to Canadian Idol’s live performance and results shows are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by telephone (check local listings). Tickets go on sale at 12 noon on the Tuesday prior to the next week’s shows and sell out quickly. Rush tickets are also available to the most enthusiastic fans showing up at the John Bassett Theatre two hours before show time. Visit idol.ctv.ca for more information.

Canadian Idol was created by Simon Fuller and is produced in association with CTV by Insight Productions. John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby are Executive Producers. Mark Lysakowski is Supervising Producer. Senior Producer is Sue Brophey. Mary Sexton is Regional Producer. Jane Rimer is Executive Consultant for FremantleMedia. Rick Lewchuk is CTV’s Senior Vice-President, Program Planning and Promotion. Ed Robinson is CTV’s Senior Vice-President, Comedy, Variety and Talk. Susanne Boyce is CTV President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group.

FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FremantleMedia has production offices in over 20 countries worldwide, providing local sales and production support for its international TV brands such as Idols and the world’s longest running game show, The Price is Right.

The company’s licensing operation, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, exploits FremantleMedia’s many strong brands across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. Fremantle International Distribution, the company’s international distribution division licenses over 19,000 hours of programming to 150 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is the content arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. For further information please see FremantleMedia’s website www.fremantlemedia.com.

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. CTV owns 21 conventional television stations across Canada and has interests in 16 specialty channels, including the number-one Canadian specialty channel, TSN. CTV is owned by CTVglobemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

- CTV -

*Canadian Idol performance episodes, compared to all other TV performance episodes and Canadian Idol results episodes, compared to all other TV results episodes, July 10 – August 1, 2006 (BBM).

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