David Cochrane has been named the new host of CBC News Network’s flagship daily political program, Power & Politics.
A longtime replacement host on the show and senior reporter with CBC’s Parliamentary Bureau, Cochrane moves into the role of permanent host, effective immediately.
“Power & Politics is the place where politicians are challenged to defend and explain the decisions that impact Canadians. In an increasingly polarized environment, David is the perfect choice to direct a civil, fair and balanced conversation,” said Brodie Fenlon, Editor in Chief, CBC News, in an announcement from the public broadcaster. “Armed with facts and a human touch, he will bring people from different viewpoints and regions to the national conversation.”
Airing Monday to Friday at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT, 5:30 p.m. NT), Cochrane fills the seat vacated by Vassy Kapelos in November when she joined CTV News as Chief Political Correspondent and host of CTV News Channel’s daily political program, Power Play, and the weekly, Question Period. Kapelos is also helming iHeartRadio network program, The Vassy Kapelos Show, which airs on Bell Media news/talk stations across the country.
Originally from St. John’s, NL, Cochrane spent two decades covering politics in Newfoundland and Labrador before joining the CBC Parliamentary Bureau in 2016. He’s reported from 11 countries across four continents and played a lead role in CBC’s 2019 and 2021 federal election coverage.
“Political reporting is at the heart of public broadcasting. I’ve watched and appeared on this show since its original incarnation as Politics with Don Newman and all the incredible hosts since then. It’s an absolute honour to be asked to take the host chair at this time and build on that legacy,” said Cochrane.
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