601 Clearwater Park Road West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 659-4122
EXECUTIVES
Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO [15]
Chris Addeo, Marketing [16]
Jeff Quinn, Finance [17]
Douglas Holloway, Distribution [18]
ABOUT ION MEDIA NETWORKS
Ion Media Networks was founded in 1984 under the name “Paxson Communications”. It wasn’t until 2006 that the company rebranded itself into what is now known as Ion Media Networks. The company today focuses their efforts in three areas: general entertainment television, special interest television, and mobile television.
Ion is considered a pioneer when it comes to providing their audiences with special interest television. They are the first to have launched two 24/7 DTV channels: Qubo and Ion Life [1]. Qubo is a safe haven for young kids to access entertainment that is always “good fun”. Qubo claims to be one of the few networks that offer age-appropriate programming to the underserved age group of 5 to 8 year olds. Ion Life is a channel dedicated to those with healthy, active lifestyles. The various programming options on this channel look to inspire, entertain, and encourage people to live their best possible lives.
In addition to special interest television, Ion co-founded the industry movement to bring television to mobile devices. Ion is a founding member of Mobile Content Venture (MCV), along with NBCUniversal, Fox and leading broadcast station groups [2]. Their division of mobile television, Dyle, provides viewers with access to live, local broadcast television through compatible mobile devices in select markets.
General entertainment television is Ion’s most prominent media outlet. They are a leading, high quality U.S. network, constantly providing innovation and growth to the industry. They serve an adult audience ages 25-54, and have recently expanded their reach to 260 million Americans in over 100 million U.S. households [3]. Their viewership has doubled since rebranding to “Ion Television” in 2008, climbing from nowhere to inside the top 15 cable ratings [4]. Their slogan “Positively Entertaining” lives up to the bill with syndicated programming such as: Criminal Minds, Numbers, Cold Case, and their original series Flash Point, in addition to many others. Their programming also includes various movie titles.
THE BEGINNING OF THE CAMPAIGN
Ion Television’s lineup of fully syndicated programming makes it difficult to persuade marketers to advertise on their channel. It is presumably more attractive for marketers to reach out to one of Ion’s competitors such as CBS or Fox, and advertise where programming is more diverse. Ion isn’t holding an upfront in 2013 to gain advertising on their channels like ABC, A&E, truTV, and Bravo (to name a few) are holding [5]. Instead, Ion must develop unique and creative ways to reach their advertisers.
Announced on March 4, 2013, the rebranding of Ion television and their new multi-tiered B2B campaign, introducing the ‘Ionthusiasts’, is exactly the creative buzz the network needs [6]. To go along with the campaign, Ion television will be releasing their new network logo under their already established tagline “Positively Entertaining”.
OLD [19]
NEW [20]
INTRODUCING THE IONTHUSIASTS
The bulk of the campaign is centered on the “Ionthusiasts”. According to independent research studies conducted by the network, Ion leads all of cable in adult co-viewing in households watching TV together. The data shows Ion is number 1 in cable for hours watched per viewer, and 69% of these committed viewers are watching marathons on a routine basis. After digesting this data, Barker DZP, the New York-based agency that developed the creative decided, “Ion viewers are highly engaged and unique in their passion for the network’s programming, they make an appointment to watch this content live for several hours at a time, which is why ‘Ionthusiasts’ is such an appropriate descriptor” [7].
Barker DZP Advertising [21]
The campaign will carry media buys across many different platforms including spots in print and out-of-home; however, the most intricate are the online spots. The network chose Barker DZP’s approach because, “their campaign truly reflected the attributes of our viewers…we found the perfect moniker that fully represents the quality of our audience and their enthusiasm for the Ion Television brand” [8].
The Ionthusiasts have a separate website displaying the three fictional couples (the Ionthusiasts) based on Ion’s key demographics: adults 25-34, 35-44, and 45-54. Each couple has a “profile” explaining some key facts about the particular age demo. These facts include: why they watch Ion Television, the percentage of having kids, some hobbies they enjoy, and their personality traits [9].
Ion Demographics [22]
Each couple even has a little video so the advertisers can see each demographic in action.
Dean & Steph [23]
Next, there is a “Learn About Ion” tab that contains a sizzle reel of their top shows [10]. However, the site goes even more in depth with an interactive section, allowing advertisers and marketers to drill down even deeper into the types of people that watch Ion Television. In order to receive a username to partake in the interactive part of the site, you must be an employee of a media planning & buying agency, advertising agency, or an advertiser [11]. Once you receive a username, you can play an interactive game that follows one of the Ionthusiasts families through their day. At each stoppage you make a decision to progress the family further along; this is useful to an advertiser because an “Ionthusiasts Fact”, which gives the player even more intricate details about the exact viewer, supports each decision you end up making. As you can see in the picture, the fact explains, through an MRI Spring 2012 Study, that Ionthusiasts are pet owners, suggesting the answer to the question is to travel to the pet store [12].
Interactive game [24]
These Ionthusiasts Facts clue marketers and advertisers into the minute details of each demographic, creating opportunities for super specified advertising to develop. For example, if Pet Smart knows that Ion has a very dedicated viewing audience, and that same dedicated audience owns pets, purchasing a media buy on this channel would be ideal for both parties. In addition to gaining insight on viewers, the marketers that play the game can earn points that go towards prizes such as iPads, vacations, and gift cards.
THE ION LONGUE
Ion Lounge [25]
Ion Media Networks did not neglect their dedicated fans through their campaign and rebrand. They developed an offshoot from the Ion Television website called the “Ion Lounge” [13]. It is a fun, colorful, and interactive site for fans to get their Ion fix long after their favorite show is over. The Ion Lounge allows you to play games and answer trivia about the shows. Each time you complete a game or answer a question right, you earn points that can later be traded in for prizes. These prizes do not compare to the Ionthusiasts prizes the marketers can win, but rather act as a token of fan-hood for the network with items such as t-shirts, tumblers, and drawstring bags. In addition, fans can create their very own “Ion Lounge” and upload it to the gallery where others can view the creation. It’s simple, but a great way to keep the viewers active with the brand.
Ion Longue homepage [27]
Lounge example [26]
It takes a creative genius such as those working at Barker DZP to develop such an ambitious and unique plan for attracting advertisers, but it seems as though Ion certainly has a good thing in the works thus far. It is still early in the campaign, but I’m sure they are going to be very happy with the results when it comes to an end.
ION Media Networks was founded in 1984 as Paxson Communication in Clearwater Florida. Owning multiple radio stations and a few ABC and NBC network affiliate stations, Paxson Communication eventually became Florida’s largest radio group. In 1994, Paxson acquired 55 percent of American Network Group for $2.5 million. As American Network Group was a publicly held company, Paxson itself became a public company, and by doing this avoided the costs inherent with an initial public offering (IPO). This also gave Paxon access to public capitol to help the company grow through more acquisitions. In 1998 the company decided to build it’s own independent television company, and PAX TV (Later to be known as the PAX network) was born. 1994 was a big year for Paxson, this was the year they also acquired their first television stations, WPBF-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida, WTLK-TV in Atlanta and Rome, Georgia, and WYVN-TV in Martinsburg, West Virginia. By the end of 1997, Paxson had grown so large that it owned more then 60 stations and covered 60 percent of all US households, and had revenues that exceeded $88 million after selling it’s radio division to Clear Channel Communications for $693 million in cash. However, operating loss had also grown to $22 million, a major difference from the $4 million of 1996. This was just the beginning of Paxson’s financial problems, for by 1998, Paxson’s operating capitol had shrunk to $1.8 million and it’s net loss had risen to $137.9 million, while total revenue was only $134.7 million. By the year 2007 after lengthy legal battles with NBC Universal, the company’s founder Bud Paxon sold his shares of the company and retired. Branden Burgess replaced him as President and C.E.O. and the company was renamed ION Media Networks Inc.
History of Financial and Legal problems
1999 Paxson reports a negative cash flow of $102.6 million with a long term debt of $382 million.
September 1999: NBC buys 32% share in Paxon for $415 million. Effectively bailing Paxson out and to Paxon’s consternation, becoming effectively an equal partner rather than a minor shareholder.
December 4, 2001: Paxon files and arbitration to block NBC’s acquisition of Telemondo.
September 2002: Paxon arbitration against NBC was denied.
November 13, 2003: NBC requests redemption of it’s $549.2 million investment in Paxon.
August 2004: NBC Universal files lawsuit against Paxon.
November 7, 2005: In and agreement with NBC Universal, Lowell Paxon leaves the company and sells his shares to NBC Universal. He is replaced with Brandon Burgess.
November 2007: ION Networks is taken to trial by Positive Ions Inc. for trademark infringement. ION Networks loses and is forced to pay Positive Ions $1.7 million.
May 19, 2009: ION Media Networks files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with $2.7 billion of debt.
December 2009: Emerges from bankruptcy as a privately owned company under the ownership of its bondholders and secured lenders.
Today
Currently, ION Media Networks is one of the largest privately owned television networks in the country, with over 60 television stations in North America. Under Brandon Burgess’ direction, ION Media Networks has rewritten it’s policies to follow four main objectives:
Innovation
By fostering an environment which gives it’s employees the freedom to explore new ideas, while also helping them stay focused to the task at hand, ION Media Networks is able to create new opportunities as opposed to rehashing the same ideas over and over.
Diversity
Understanding that sometimes the greatest ideas come from differing viewpoints, ION Media Networks takes great pride in hiring a diverse group of employees. Their motto being that multiple inputs often yield the most valuable outputs.
Empowerment
By providing the tools and support needed to succeed, Ion Media Networks empowers their employees to take the necessary steps to accomplish their goals.
Accountability
ION Media Networks fully stands behind all of it’s employees. Holding themselves accountable not only to their audience, but to themselves as well. Each employee shares in the companies success as well as the burden of their failures.
One of the fastest growing television networks in the nation, ION Television focuses on syndicated network shows as well as introducing new original programming and special event programming. A leader in the Adult 25-54 and Women 25-54 demographics, ION Television reaches more than 100 million US households. Starting in October of 2012, ION Television adopted an 108-hour network programming schedule, providing general entertainment programming from 11am – 3am Mondays – Fridays, 1pm – 3am Saturdays and Sundays. All other times are filled with religious programming or infomercials.
Specifically targeting children in the 5 – 8 age range, Qubo offers quality children’s programming 24/7. Available via over-the-air coverage, cable, satellite and telco, Qubo has won multiple awards from both the FCC and the US government in recognition of it’s dedication to improving children’s health and reducing childhood obesity. Qubo was also recognized by the US government as one of the most trustworthy sources of children’s television. Qubo is a joint venture between Ion Media Networks, NBC Universal, Corus Entertainment’sNelvana, Scholastic Corporation and DreamWorks Classics.
Focusing on adult viewers, ION Life is dedicated to helping people live healthier, more active lives. Featuring programs featuring: home design, wellness, healthy and active living, adventure and community engagement, ION Life is is focused on celebrating life’s positive adventures. Available via over-the-air coverage, cable, satellite, and telco. The Network was going to be named iHealth prior to Ion Televisions name change.
The mobile branch of ION Media Networks, Dyle Mobile TV allows viewers to watch broadcast television shows right on their mobile Android and IOS devices. Partnering with major broadcasters ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox among others, the application also allows viewers access to live local and national news as well as sports and entertainment. Although currently limited in coverage, future expansion is expected soon. You can check availability in your area on their coverage map.
Recent News
June
ION Television debuts WWE Main Event.
August
ION Television acquires off-Network rights to Numb3rs
ION Television acquires Law & Order: Criminal Intent
September
Flashpoint debuts Season 5
October
ION Media Networks announces agreement with DirecTV
David B. Smith, President & CEO – Photo courtesy of Nicholas Griner, Baltimore Business Journal
Sinclair Broadcasting Group is a telecommunications company located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. Founded as Chesapeake Television Corporation in 1971 by Julian Sinclair Smith, its station ownership started in Balitmore (WBFF), Pittsburgh (WPTT/WPMY) and Columbus (WTTE). In 1985, the remaining stocks of the business were bought out by Smith’s four sons and its name was changed to Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Since 1988, David B. Smith has served as President & CEO while the remaining brothers hold executive positions as well. Their leadership brought the company to a new level, expanding both its audience reach and content variety. In 1995, the company became publicly traded on NASDAQ with the symbol SBGI [1][2].
Sinclair Broadcasting was a pioneer of local marketing agreements in the early 1990’s. Though many stations are owned and operated by Sinclair, others are affiliated through LMA’s. Sinclair’s stations are affiliated with major networks like Fox, NBC, CBS, and ABC. Also, this company was one of the first to experiment with “prepackaged” news programs, produced by the news organization, News Central [3].
Sinclair has a diverse array of holdings outside telecommunications as well. Ring of Honor Wrestling is just one of their many subsidiaries. They air the content they produce in certain markets and upload some episodes to YouTube.
Here is Ring Of Honor Episode 54 from October 11, 2012:
Recent Acquisitions and News
A buying spree in 2011 and early 2012 added the assets of Four Points Media Group, the Freedom Communications stations group, and six stations from Newport Television [4][5][6]. Sinclair Broadcast Group now operates the largest number of local television stations in the United States.
Their most recent acquisitions closed December 1, 2012 and include stations in new and previously established markets. In addition to increasing the audience reach of Sinclair 3%, these purchases also increased the number of affiliated stations in Sinclair’s portfolio. Some of the stations now owned by Sinclair are WTTA (MNT) Tampa, KBTV (FOX) Beaumont, WKRC (CBS) Cincinnati, WOAI (NBC) San Antonio, WHP (CBS) Harrisburg, WPMI (NBC) and WJTC (IND) Mobile, KSAS (FOX) Wichita, and WHAM (ABC) Rochester.
See all of Sinclair’s holdings and their information here.
Sinclair’s Markets – Map courtesy of Sinclair Broadcast Group
The failure of New Central and Sinclair’s profile as a “profit first, journalism second” broadcaster prompted the company to shift its focus to quality news in local markets. Sinclair’s recent acquisitions included many local news stations, atypical purchases for the company, but smart because of their powerful local presence. Sinclair has even joined the National Association of Broadcasters, a sign that they’re willingness to participate in Washington alongside competitors [7].
Hurricane Sandy had a large impact on many viewers in Sinclair’s markets, creating an opportunity for the company to serve its local constituents. During the storm, Sinclair provided non-stop coverage by “simulcasting” the news programs online. This allowed those without power to access it using mobiles phones and tablets. Online streaming and other technology platforms are being considered at Sinclair Group. Chief tech executive Del Parks spoke for the company claiming that the multiscreen experience is, “a very personal thing for our news operations.” Simulcasting was also used this fall in local office campaigns within certain Sinclair markets by streaming town hall debates on their website [8].
On November 13, 2012 it was announced that Sinclair Broadcasting would be partnering with Datasphere, a technology company aimed at small business solutions in major media and reaching the hyperlocal market. Sinclair’s television station websites will be retrofitted with Datasphere’s event calendars for local event lists in each market. An example of this calendar can be seen on WBFF Baltimore’s event website. This will be used alongside a whole new technology platform at Sinclair Group. It is a full-sized service that connects local small businesses to media companies for advertising needs. Datasphere’s services will be introduced into 21 markets including Austin, Baltimore, Columbus, Dayton, Nashville and San Antonio [9].
Sinclair attends many industry conferences. Their next conference is the JP Morgan Global HYLFC in Miami Beach, February 25-27, 2013.
FinancialOverview
Sinclair’s income statement for December 2, 2012 shows the stock price settling at $11.03; this is still low compared to their period of $14.00+ shares back in 2003-2004. This company has battled through the economic recession, however, showing staggering growth in returns over a three year period. In fact, they’ve quadrupled the 3 year return percentage of their competitor Belo Corporation from 2009 to 2012 [10].
SBGI Total Returns Comparison
Chart courtesy of www.ycharts.com
Three year returns are a significant figure for a long-term shareholder of this company. High returns indicate a growing business. Sinclair has rebounded from the recession and continues to show steady growth.
High third quarter revenues this year were reported following Hurricane Sandy’s aftermath. The 44% increase from $181 million to $260 million was attributed to political advertising associated with the campaign season and a spike in automotive advertising on Sinclair’s stations. After reaching retransmission agreements with networks like Comcast and Dish, Sinclair found that higher retransmissions revenues also contributed to the figure [11][12].
Hear or watch the rebroadcast of the 3rd quarter 2012 earnings results here.
February 6, 2013 – Fourth Quarter 2012 Earnings Report
May 1, 2013 – First Quarter 2013 Earnings Report
June 16, 2013 – Annual Shareholders Meeting
August 7, 2013 – Second Quarter 2013 Earnings Report
November 6, 2013 – Third Quarter 2013 Earnings Report
Controversies
Sinclair Broadcasting, though successful and respected in the industry, is not immune to scrutiny by its competition and the public eye. The company is known for blatantly taking sides on social and political issues including political campaigns. A conservative bias can be noticed in the programming Sinclair chooses to air around election time. Even so, they deny any partisanship and claim to only be informing and engaging the public.
Photo courtesy of cbs12.com
The 2012 Presidential Campaign was another opportunity for Sinclair to garner the profits of political advertising at the cost of their audience’s scheduled news programming. The decision to preempt regular programs in order to air the “ABC 6 Election Special – VOTE 2012” didn’t sit well with supporters of Obama [13]. The special was aired in markets all located in battleground states.
A writer for The Baltimore Sun wrote in an article that, “the only thing that was lower than the attack-ad-dominated style of campaigning by both sides was the performance of an increasingly superficial and partisan press,” [14][15]. Sinclair has since rejected the criticism, claiming that the specials were focused on the issues and not so much the candidates, and that the markets where they were aired had more “news value.” [16]
In a dispute with Dish Network this past August, Sinclair was ready to black out 74 of its stations carried by Dish when they wouldn’t accept a new retransmission agreement. A public exchange of words between the two companies resulted in high tensions and little motivation for Sinclair to bargain with the distributor. Dish claimed that Sinclair was charging more than any other broadcaster, resulting in higher subscription fees for customers. Sinclair, however, views retransmission fees as an important resource for the company. A multi-year consent agreement was finally reached after several weeks. Sinclair has become increasingly aggressive towards television providers and retransmission fees. Similar disputes between Mediacom, Time Warner, and Comcast all ended with agreements favoring Sinclair [17].
601 Clearwater Park Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL, 33401 United States
(561) 659-4122
About
Originally founded as Paxson Communications in 1991, ION Media Networks was officially established in 2006 and has since made great lengths in all of its key areas including: general entertainment television, special interest television, and mobile television. ION is a leading American television provider and brings their content to nearly 260 million Americans. They deliver their entertainment “through innovation, offering quality content, new formats and innovative packages that are affordable and accessible to all consumers” [5]. At its helm is CEO and Chairman Brandon Burgess along with Chris Addeo in Marketing, Douglas Holloway in Distribution, and Jeff Quinn in Finance. Under the ION Media Networks Inc. flagship is ION Television, Qubo, and ION Life.
Photo Courtesy of Ion Media Networks [1]
Photo Courtesy of Ion Media Networks [5]
Holdings
Under the networks’ “Positively Entertaining” brand, ION Television offers an array of blockbuster movie titles, hit shows in syndication, and more recently, a jump into original content. The network reaches more than 1oo million US Homes and boasts it is “the only entertainment network with double-digit growth” [11]. It is available through all major distribution companies and is one of the fastest growing networks in America.
Qubo, ION’s “Good Fun” children’s network provides a safe space for childhood and adult viewing. It functions to provide content for preschoolers to tweens and tries to promote good role models and values in order to create more constructive members of society. It has also received numerous awards for its healthy programming and fight against childhood obesity. It has been recognized as the “Gold Standard” in kid’s television by the FCC and was also voted as “one of the more trustworthy sources for children’s programming” by the U.S. Government Accountability Office [12].
ION’s final special interest television venture is ION Life, a lifestyle channel that is
Photo courtesy of Ion Media Networks
committed to offering programming that promotes healthy and active individuals. Its programs focus on such topics as relationships, inspirational stories, adventure, and home design. It is available 24/7 and is distributed over-the-air and through cable and satellite providers.
Financials
In May of 2009, ION Media Networks hit a serious road block. Under the deal of a restructuring agreement with a group of debt holders whom promised they would make its debt into equity, the network filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. With more than a billion dollars in liabilities and ten million in assets, ION rebuilt with a 150 million dollar funding commitment. However, by October of 2010, ION had resurrected from the ashes of bankruptcy. “Per Nielsen ratings data, ION Television averaged 1.12 million viewers in the third quarter of 2010, an improvement of 94 percent versus the year-ago period” [1]. This spur in growth is most attributed to the networks’ acquisition of shows such as Criminal Minds and Without a Trace and “from October 2009 through September 2010, ION has
Douglas Holloway – President of Multichannel Distribution Photo courtesy of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications [15]
grown its overall sales prime deliveries 72 percent to 1.01 million viewers, while improving 74 percent among adults 25-54 (450,000), and nearly doubling its delivery of viewers 18-49 (392,000 versus 205,000 in the year-ago period)“ [1]. Although ION is a private company and therefore does not publish their financial reports to the public, in a talk earlier this month, ION’s President of Multichannel Distribution confirmed that the company is continuing on its up-hill climb.
In the News
ION is also a leader in developing the future of mobile television and “co-founded the industry initiative to develop Mobile DTV technology in record time” [5]. This initiative, the Mobile Content Venture, or MVC for short, was also headed by NBCUniversal and Fox. In order to “mobolize” this project, these broadcasters plan to use the Dyle mobile TV service. Dyle mobile TV is working to turn Android and iOS devices into portable televisions and will allow customers to view local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Quobo, Telemundo, and Univision. However, this program is not yet covered in all markets. In a presentation this month at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, ION’s President of Multichannel Distribution, Douglas Holloway, expressed qualms about Dyle’s business model, which at the moment will be entirely based on advertising. Holloway also expressed his concerns about his company’s failure to move at a fast enough rate with the expanding mobile TV platform. He said that creating their own distributable platforms are at the moment nearly impossible. This is mainly due to the fact that ION television is entirely syndication based.
Continuing to strengthen its syndicated content, ION Television announced its acquisition of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” in early August of 2012. This off-networking licensing agreement has given the network the rights to all 10 seasons including all 195 episodes [7]. Similarly, in the same month, ION also acquired the off-net rights to all six seasons of the CBS procedural drama “Numb3rs,” which fits in perfectly with the networks’ crime drama line up [14].
In late September, ION Television announced what would be their most successful programming of the fall season. On October 3rd, the network premiered the first match of the new WWE Main Event series. The new show was promoted with several promo ads, “featuring the WWE Superstars and Divas of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown” [9]. The series will premiere live events that are filmed across the country, including an international matchup in Europe. Since its debut, WWE Main Event has been a serious contender in television ratings. Up against a presidential debate on its premiere night, this program, according to Nielson, “garnered the highest male audience in the last year with the most Men 18-49 (422,000), Men 25-54 (444,000), and Men 2+ (876,000)” and was also the #4 program on television among Men 18-49. [9]. This beat not only the male audience watching the presidential debate, but it also beat out ESPN and ESPN2 on the last MLB regular season game. CEO Brandon Burgess describes, “’Fans of the WWE are passionate and seem to have a knack for finding their favorite Superstars wherever they live. Needless to say, we are particularly pleased that WWE has found a new home on ION Television, and we congratulate our new partner in the success of the premiere’” [9]. Vince McMahon , CEO and Chairman of WWE, responded, “’We expect our fans will make WWE Main Event the number one show on the network as they have done for WWE programs with all of our other TV partners’”[9].
On October 9, it was announced that ION had created a new and much longer-term partnership with DIRECTV, a leader in digital entertainment service providers. This has extended ION Television’s contract with the provider for many years to come. Also, for the first time, the network will be offered in high-definition on DIRECTV and will also be available nationwide, from East Coast to West Coast.
Another piece of programming proving to be a serious asset for the network this fall is its “nail-biting cop drama,” Flashpoint. Back in late January of 2011, ION Television made a deal with CBS Television for the “rights to all existing episodes and future production of the popular police drama”[10]. In this deal, they were given the rights to produce the fifth season of the drama and all subsequent seasons that may occur, which celebrates the networks’ first experience in creating its own original content. On October 16 of this year, the fifth (and final) season of the original crime drama premiered on the ION Television network. The season will include thirteen, one-hour episodes produced by Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment in association with CTV and ION Television. According to a Canadian television website, the show is “averaging 1.7 million viewers, up 13% from last fall’s season average” [13].
![Ion Media Networks [14]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2013/04/ION_Media_Networks_873968058.jpg)
![Barker DZP Advertising [21]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2013/04/BarkerDZP.jpg){kind=small}
![Ion Demographics [21]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2013/04/Ion-Demographics.jpg)
![Dean & Steph [23]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2013/04/Dean-Steph.png)
![Interactive game [24]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2013/04/the-game.png)
![Ion Lounge [25]](https://bejone03.expressions.syr.edu/trf235/files/2013/04/lounge-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
