Veteran CBC Radio staple Michael Enright announced today that he’ll be stepping down from CBC Radio One’s The Sunday Edition at the end of this season on June 28.
Enright, 77, has hosted the three-hour program of conversation, documentaries and music for its entire 20 year-broadcast run. The public broadcaster says it plans to redevelop the show for the Sunday morning time slot with a new host. Enright, meanwhile, will be behind a new, one-hour show.
“Hosting the The Sunday Edition for 20 years has been the greatest experience and challenge in my career as a journalist which dates from 1962,” said Enright, in a release. “I have been so lucky in interviewing some of the great figures of our time, travelling the world to bring home exciting stories but most importantly, creating a binding relationship with thousands of listeners.”
“We’ve been fortunate to have Michael share his unique voice and expertise as the host of The Sunday Edition among other flagship programs over the years. Listeners have always responded to his quick wit and insightful interviewing style. I can’t wait to hear what he has to say next,” added Cathy Perry, Executive Director of Current Affairs. “In these extraordinary times, radio has never been more important to Canadians. We look forward to working with Michael to develop his new program, and add fresh perspective and energy to Sunday mornings with an updated show.”
Enright, arguably one of CBC’s most recognizable voices, has had a more than five-decade career in Canadian media. He grew up in Downtown Toronto and eventually dropped out of Catholic all-boys school St. Michael’s College (including one year at the seminary in Dunkirk, New York, contemplating a career in the priesthood). After taking a University of Toronto extension course, Enright landed a job at a weekly newspaper in Brampton. Stints in Kitchener-Waterloo and a Welsh television station followed, and by age 25, he was The Globe and Mail’s Washington bureau chief. He first joined CBC Radio in 1974 as host of weekday show This Country in the Morning. Succeeding the popular Peter Gzowski in the role, he was fired after just one year and continued his career in print journalism with Time, Quest, Maclean’s, and the Toronto Star.
Enright eventually returned to CBC and in 1985 became managing editor of CBC Radio news, and then co-host of As It Happens in 1987. He’s also served as CBC Radio’s senior journalist during high-profile news events, including 9/11, the Gulf War, Canadian and U.S. elections, and travelled to Israel as it marked the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state, among other big stories.
He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2012.
Update:
CBC announced on June 8 that Piya Chattopadhyay will succeed Enright as host of CBC Radio One’s revamped Sunday morning show, starting this fall.
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