Family Channel Continues Bullying Awareness Campaign With Launch of Annual Stand UP!

Continuing its commitment to raise awareness surrounding one of the most important issues affecting youth today, Family Channel is pleased to announce its annual Bullying Awareness Week campaign will be returning for its 15th year this November. From Monday, November 20 - Friday, November 24, bullying-related content will populate the network with themed episodes and movies, and special messages from Family Channel stars airing across multiple platforms. Beginning today, kids and TEACHERS can visit Family.ca to download resources and activities, and enter for the chance to win a Stand UP! Rally at their school, hosted by The Next Step stars Briar Nolet and Myles Erlick.

"After 15 years, it's incredible to see how our Family Channel stars, as well as our wonderful collaborators at PREVNet and TELUS WISE, remain committed to raising awareness about bullying behaviour and providing our viewers with effective resources to help them stand up," said Joe Tedesco, Senior Vice President and General Manager, DHX Television. "Bullying remains as important of an issue now as it did when we first launched the campaign, and we are thrilled to have two of our biggest stars Myles Erlick and Briar Nolet on board to host this year's rally tour."

An integral part of the Bullying Awareness Week campaign, Family Channel is taking the message of bullying prevention on the road, bringing Stand UP! rallies to selected schools across Canada. Hosted by The Next Step's Briar Nolet (Richelle) and Myles Erlick (Noah), each rally will feature a screening of bullying-themed content from Backstage, an interactive discussion led by a PREVNet representative and a special dance performance. In honour of its 15th anniversary, Family will also be giving away 10 secondary prizes for the classroom. Kids can enter to win by visiting Family.ca and explaining how their school stands up to bullying. The CONTEST is currently open and runs until 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 1.

This year's Bullying Awareness Week runs from Monday, November 20 to Friday, November 24. Family Channel has teamed up with TELUS WISE (Wise Internet and Smartphone Education) for the second year in a row, this time to create short-form content that addresses digital safety with cast members from the fan-favourite series, The Next Step. Each short features the stars providing tips and discussing relevant topics, such as how to stand up to cyberbullying, using discretion when posting pictures to social media sites and exercising precaution when spending time online. The shorts will air on Family leading up to and throughout Bullying Awareness Week, airing alongside other bullying prevention-themed programming and footage from the rallies.

Those interested in learning more about Family Channel's 15th annual Bullying Awareness Week campaign can visit Family.ca/StandUp. In addition to CONTEST details, the webpage offers bullying-themed episodes from Family's top series, footage from last year's Stand UP! Rally Tour, and downloadable resources including tip sheets and activities for students, parents and teachers, prepared by PREVNet in both French and English.

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 130 leading Canadian research scientists and their students from 27 universities, and 61 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.

About TELUS WISE Endorsed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and offered free of charge, TELUS WISE (Wise Internet & Smartphone Education) engages Canadians of all ages in a discussion about Internet and smartphone safety to help keep ourselves, our families and communities safe from online criminal activity such as financial fraud and cyberbullying. The program includes Internet & Smartphone safety workshops for elementary aged children, through to seniors, as well as a wealth of online resources, available at telus.com/wise.

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 composed 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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