CTV.ca | November 18, 2008 | For Immediate Release

Toronto, ON (November 18, 2008) - World renowned comic sensation Russell Peters is trading in his cowboy boots for a snowboard and is heading to Vancouver to host The 2009 JUNO Awards broadcast, CTV and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) confirmed today. Revealed on eTalk tonight, the announcement was made on the heels of Peters' recent Gemini Award win for Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series for his hosting performance at The 2008 JUNO Awards. The 2009 JUNO Awards will air Sunday, March 29 on CTV from General Motors Place in Vancouver.

Peters returns to the JUNO stage in Vancouver after hosting The 2008 JUNO Awards in Calgary last April. Proving to be an edgy and hilarious host, Peters shared laughs with the presenters and performers and even danced with Jully Black during her closing number. Over the past year, Peters continued to tour around the globe, hosted the nine-episode series COMIC WITHOUT BORDERS for Showtime, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and released his latest DVD, Red, White And Brown in Canada on September 30 distributed by Warner Music Canada.

"I had a great time hosting the 2008 show," said Peters. "Let this love affair continue - coming home's never felt so good."

**Media Note** - Download photos of Russell Peters at ctvmedia.ca.

"Russell knocked one out of the park when he hosted the JUNO Awards for us last year," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. "After the response from viewers, we knew that we had to get him back for a night that is sure to surprise and entertain."

"The JUNO Awards are thrilled to have Russell Peters return to host the show in 2009," said Melanie Berry, President of CARAS and an Executive Producer of the broadcast. "With such success in Calgary, I can't wait to see what he's got up his sleeve for Vancouver."

Peters returns to the network that broadcast his 2003 CTV COMEDY NOW! special, which propelled him into an international phenomenon when it was posted anonymously on the Internet and made its way around the globe. The Brampton, ON, native now sells out theatres and arenas around the world including the U.S., England, Australia, Singapore and Dubai. Peters recently put tickets for his February 14th, 2009 show at London's O2 Arena on-sale, selling an unprecedented 9,000 tickets in one day.

In 2007, he was the first North American comic to tour India. In 2007, Peters became the first comedian to sell out Toronto's Air Canada Centre, performing to over 30,000 fans over two nights. Peters has also performed for sold-out audiences at the Sydney Opera House, LA's Nokia Theatre, and became one of only a handful of comedians to sell-out the world famous Madison Square Garden, where he taped his current DVD, Red, White and Brown. Red, White and Brown has sold over 35,000 copies since its release.

Peters has been doing stand-up comedy for 20 years, and has built an impressive body of work. In 2009, Russell will tour with his 20th Anniversary Tour, which will feature not only his greatest hits remixed but all-new material as well. Peters has won one Gemini Award and has been nominated for four. His TV appearances include two, one-hour COMEDY NOW! specials on CTV and The Comedy Network as well as CBC's COMICS! He had a recurring role in the Gemini-nominated Canadian sitcom LORD HAVE MERCY! Peters remains busy in Los Angeles developing new television projects and two new series, including 'Russell Peters Presents' for Showtime. His YouTube videos have been viewed by over 20 million individual viewers.

Broadcast in High-Definition and 5.1 Surround Sound, The 2009 JUNO Awards, Canada's Music Awards, will be broadcast for the eighth year in a row on CTV on Sunday, March 29 from General Motors Place in Vancouver. Previous hosts of The JUNO Awards include Russell Peters in Calgary (2008), Nelly Furtado in Saskatoon (2007), Pamela Anderson in Halifax (2006), Brent Butt in Winnipeg (2005), Alanis Morissette in Edmonton (2004), Shania Twain in Ottawa (2003) and Barenaked Ladies in St. John's (2002).

The 2009 JUNO Awards is produced by Insight Productions in association with CTV and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). Executive producers are John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby for Insight Productions, and Melanie Berry and Stephen Stohn for CARAS. Louise Wood is Producer and Donna Luke is Line Producer. Ed Robinson is Executive Vice-President Programming, CTV. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.

Broadcast sponsors of The 2009 JUNO Awards are Garnier, Pepsi, Pontiac and Rogers.

Sponsors of The 2009 JUNO Awards include FACTOR, Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage's "Canada Music Fund," The Province of British Columbia, The City of Vancouver, Music BC and Radio Starmaker Fund.

About CARAS:

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L'academie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l'enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music and recording industries and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. The main focus of CARAS is the exploration and development of opportunities to showcase and promote Canadian artists and music through vehicles such as The JUNO Awards. For more information on the 38th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' (CARAS) please visit our websites at www.carasonline.ca and www.junoawards.ca.

About CTV:

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. CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada's premier multi-media company which owns CTV Inc. and The Globe and Mail. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country, and leading national specialty channels. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

Web Links:

CTV's JUNO Awards website: www.junos.ctv.ca

Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca

CARAS website: www.carasonline.ca

Official Russell Peters website: www.russellpeters.com