#STANDUP WITH FAMILY CHANNEL FOR BULLYING AWARENESS WEEK

FOLLOW @FAMILY_CHANNEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SPECIAL MESSAGES FROM NETWORK STARS AND LIVE UPDATES FROM THE #STANDUP! RALLY TOUR

BULLYING AWARENESS WEEK RUNS FROM NOVEMBER 18-24

Toronto, 15 November 2018 – This Sunday, Family Channel is kicking off its annual Bullying Awareness Week with an extensive social media campaign and weeklong programming event designed to inspire youth to stand up to bullying and be kind to others. From Sunday, November 18 to Saturday, November 24, fans can tune in to the network to see their favourite stars open up about their own bullying experiences and follow @Family_Channel on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live updates from the Stand UP! rally tour. Viewers are encouraged to show their support by posting to social media with #StandUP and tagging a friend who’s always got their back.

Earlier this year, Family Channel held an online contest asking students how their community stands up to bullying. Of all the entries, three elementary schools were selected to take part in the Stand UP! rally tour hosted by network stars Josh Bogert (Miles, Backstage) and Alexandra Chaves (Piper, The Next Step). This year’s winning schools are:

  • Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School; Toronto, Ontario
  • Canyon Meadows School; Calgary, Alberta
  • Oliver School; Edmonton, Alberta

Each rally will include: a discussion about kindness led by a representative from the national research organization PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network); a presentation on leadership and inclusion from the Recess Guardians, who are joining the rally tour for the first time; a dance choreography session taught by Alexandra Chaves, and a musical performance from Josh Bogert. Fans can participate in Bullying Awareness Week and the rally tour by following @Family_Channel on social media for live Q&As and special Instagram takeovers.

Throughout the week, Family will debut new short form content featuring cast members from The Next Step and Backstage sharing their own experiences with bullying and offering advice. Themed episodes about friendship and kindness from series such as The Next Step, LEGO Friends, Alvinnn!!! and The Chipmunk and Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir will air also on the network as well as Family OnDemand and the Family Channel App, which has its own Stand UP! playlist.

Those interested in learning more about Family Channel’s annual Bullying Awareness Week campaign can visit Family.ca/StandUp. The website offers brand new resources including tip sheets and activities for parents, teachers and students on the importance of kindness and how to stand up for others.

Family Channel co-founded Bullying Awareness Week in 2003 and developed the Stand UP! campaign in association with PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network), a national network of Canadian researchers, community organizations and governments committed to ending bullying and promoting positive relationships.

About PREVNet
Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet) is a national network comprised of 122 leading Canadian research scientists and their students from 27 universities, and 62 national youth-serving organizations. Launched in 2006 with the Networks of Centres of Excellence, PREVNet’s mission is to stop bullying in Canada and to promote safe and healthy relationships for all Canadian children and youth. Led by Scientific Co-Directors, Dr. Debra Pepler of York University and Dr. Wendy Craig of Queen’s University, this national knowledge mobilization network is the first of its kind in Canada, providing an unprecedented opportunity for social-cultural change. For more information, please visit www.prevnet.ca.

Family Channel offers the best in family television entertainment in a premium, high-definition, multiplatform environment. Dedicated to celebrating family life and providing a daily vacation for Canadian families, Family airs a unique mix of top-rated Canadian and acquired series, movies and specials. Family Channel subscribers have access to the Family Channel App, Family OnDemand and Family Online at no additional cost, to see hit movies and series when they want them, where they want them. Visit us at Family.ca.

About DHX Television
DHX Television is comprised of Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family Jr. and Télémagino, and is part of DHX Media Ltd., a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. Dedicated to celebrating family fun, DHX Television delivers best-in-class programming through premium subscriptions and its original production mandate, and creates and produces captivating in-market events that appeal to Canadian families. DHX Television is home to world-renowned series including The Next Step, Degrassi: Next Class and Teletubbies. DHX Media Ltd. has offices globally, and is traded on the NASDAQ and Toronto Stock Exchange.

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For additional information, please contact:
Joanna Landsberg
Communications Manager – DHX Television
joanna.landsberg@dhxmedia.com
416.977.7458