-- Series-high audience of 2.6 million tune in last night as record
    2.4 million votes recorded --

TORONTO, Aug. 26 2003 -- Jenny Gear has become the next competitor to be
eliminated from Canadian Idol, it was announced live on CTV tonight. The
Newfoundland songstress, 21, received the least amount of votes from a record
2.4 million cast last night following yesterday's live performance episode,
the most watched Canadian Idol episode yet, with a chart-topping 2.6 million
viewers (2+)(*).

    Four Idols remain as Canada's favourite television series gathers
momentum for its blockbuster finale in three weeks: Gary Beals, 20, Dartmouth,
NS; Audrey de Montigny, 18, Ste. Julienne, QC; Billy Klippert, 25, Calgary, AB
and Ryan Malcolm, 23, Kingston, ON. Canadian Idol concludes Tuesday, Sept. 16
with a two-hour grand finale from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT (check local listings).

    EDITOR'S NOTE - All-new high-resolution photography of the remaining four
Canadian Idol finalists, taken after tonight's show, is available at the
Canadian Idol Media Centre at www.ctvmedia.ca. Temporary User
ID:
"august_guest." Temporary Password: "orangecounty."

    In Monday's episode, the five competitors performed the hits of Sir Elton
John live, in front of a boisterous, sold-out crowd at Toronto's John Bassett
Theatre. Gear's performance of "Rocket Man" and Malcolm's performance of
"Believe" received the weakest response from voters, landing them in the
Bottom Two. Gear received a rousing send-off from tonight's crowd when she
performed Sarah MacLachlan's "Possession."

    Tonight's episode also featured a behind-the-scenes look at the recording
of the first Canadian Idol CD. Released today, "Canadian Idol Greatest
Moments," from BMG Canada Inc. / ViK.recordings, features the Canadian Idol
Top 11 performing full-length, studio-recorded versions of the songs that
vaulted them into the finals.

    In next week's episode, the four remaining competitors perform love songs
inspired by their visit with Canadian diva Céline Dion in Las Vegas later this
week. The four Idols travel to Vegas Thursday for a little fun in the sun,
culminating in a meeting with Dion on Friday following a performance of the
chanteuse's new production "A New Day" at Caesar's Palace.

    Tickets to Canadian Idol's final live performance and results shows go on
sale next Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. ET at all Ticketmaster outlets, online
at www.ticketmaster.ca or by telephone (check local
listings).

    (CONTINUED... For the complete release, please visit www.ctvmedia.ca).

    (*)Source: All audiences numbers quoted reflect national average-minute
audiences as provided by Nielsen Media Research.




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For further information: Scott Henderson, CTV Inc., (416) 332-5305,
shenderson@ctv.ca; Mike Cosentino, CTV Inc., (416) 332-5048,
mcosentino@ctv.ca