Bell and RDS open the doors to the Montréal Canadiens' locker room in new multiplatform docu-reality series 24CH

Habs fans will now enjoy exclusive access to their team on television, Internet, superphones and tablets

MONTREAL, Jan. 16, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today unveiled the brand new docu-reality series highly anticipated by Habs fans: 24CH, an RDS production initiative featuring unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Montréal Canadiens. Whether on game or practice days, whether in Montréal or on the road, Bell lets fans into the world of the Club de hockey Canadien, with this unique content, no matter where they are, and on the screen of their choice.

"Bell is proud to put its multiplatform expertise to work for Habs fans," explained Nicolas Poitras, Vice-President, Residential Services Marketing at Bell. "Our relationship with the Montréal Canadiens, combined with the talents of RDS, will allow fans to use television, the Internet, superphone or tablet to get the inside track on their favourite team, either at home or on the road."

For the first time in its history, the Canadiens organization is opening up the team's locker room to the public. Thanks to a special RDS crew that will follow the Habs throughout the season, fans will get a unique look at what goes on behind closed locker room doors.

"We have been partners with the Canadiens for many years and creating this project is a dream come true for us and the fans," said Gerry Frappier, President and General Manager of RDS. "This is a special moment in RDS history, and our team is definitely going to produce a docu-reality series as never seen before on French sports television."

Starting with the first game of the season, Bell will present an inaugural 60 second mobile clip. Weekly videos will be shown on Canadiens.com and the TV series will be aired on RDS.

"This initiative was made possible thanks to Bell's state-of-the-art technology and its many platforms, as well as RDS's know-how and expertise when it comes to TV production. Our entire organisation, and more specifically our players, welcome this unique opportunity to share their everyday life with our fans. For the first time in team history, Canadiens' fans will go behind the scenes with their favourite hockey team. We believe this experience will further enhance the interest of our fans as they will literally be a part of the team", said Kevin Gilmore, Executive Vice President and COO, Club de hockey Canadien.

Content gathered by the RDS team will be aired regularly until the end of the 2013 season:

24CH Flash will provide 48 highlight clips, one per game day, presented via the Montréal Canadiens app. Bell Mobility clients will have 24 hour advance access to the 24CH Flash clips in the Bell Premiere Zone section on the app. Bell Fibe TV clients will have access as well to the 24CH Flash clips through the TSN Xtra app in English as well as the RDS Extra app.

24CH Hebdo will provide exclusive excerpts of the video content on the Canadiens.com site every week.

24CH La série will be broadcast on RDS starting with a special one hour launch show on January 26, followed by six 30 minute episodes throughout the regular season. An English version will also air on TSN2.

About Bell
Headquartered in Montréal since its founding in 1880, Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca.

Bell is committed to promoting Canadian mental health through the Bell Let's Talk anti-stigma campaign and unprecedented financial support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

About RDS
Le Réseau des sports (RDS) is a French-language sports network offering a comprehensive, world-class programming line-up. Since its inception in 1989, RDS has developed an unparalleled programming grid featuring major events and properties that include the exclusive broadcast rights to the Montreal Canadiens and other NHL hockey games, the Stanley Cup playoffs and finals, MLS and Montreal Impact, CFL and NFL football, the Grey Cup and the Super Bowl, Tour de France, F1 and NASCAR racing, MLB baseball including the World Series, over 30 PGA Tour golf tournaments (including 4 Majors), ATP tennis and all Grand Slams, FIFA World Cup from 2015 to 2022, Euro 2016, Barclays Premier League as well as the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, Skate Canada and Canada Cup of curling. RDS is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more details on RDS, please visit RDS.ca.

SOURCE: Bell Canada