Originally published in the Dec. 7, 2023 edition of The Weekly Briefing
Daryn Jones and Deepa Prashad have been named the new morning co-hosts at 99.9 Virgin Radio (CKFM-FM) Toronto. The pair formally succeed the former morning show team of Adam Wylde and Jax Irwin who announced in May they were stepping away from the station. Jones arrives from Rogers Sports & Media’s KiSS 92.5 (CKIS-FM) Toronto where he’s been hosting afternoon drive since 2018, while Prashad hails from within the Bell Media family as a Formula 1 content creator for TSN, who has been filling in on the morning show alongside Chris Kelly and producer Leah Abrahams. Read more here.
Ben Wagner, the radio play-by-play voice of the Toronto Blue Jays since 2018, has been released by Rogers Sports & Media. Wagner, who succeeded Jerry Howarth in the role, had been calling road games from a Toronto studio since 2019. Prior to Sportsnet, Wagner worked for 11 seasons as the voice of the Buffalo Bisons, the Jays’ triple-A affiliate.
Jordan Schwartz, Executive Producer of Global News’ The Morning Show, is now Head of Global News Morning Programming. Corus Entertainment says he’ll continue to oversee The Morning Show and work with all local Global News Morning leads and specialty channels “to create editorial excellence, better cross promotion, sales integrations, multi-platform content and audience growth throughout the network’s entire morning news programming line-up.” Schwartz has been with Global since 2019. He previously held the title of Vice-President of In-house Production at Rogers Sports & Media and SVP and GM, Entertainment Group at Bell Media, in addition to working as a producer on NBC’s Today Show.
Espe Currie is headed to Global Calgary to take on the role of Executive Producer. Currie has most recently held the title of Supervising Producer at CityNews Vancouver where she’s worked off and on since interning as a Humber College Broadcast Journalism student in 2014.
Rita Celli is retiring after a 32-year career with CBC. Celli began her career at CBC Radio in her hometown of Sudbury. The longtime host of CBC Radio’s Ontario Today, she has helmed the province-wide noon hour call-in show for 15 years. Prior to Ontario Today, she held a number of positions on both radio and television, including anchoring CBC Ottawa’s supper hour news.
Kim Sullivan has returned to Global News following parental leave, contributing weather for the late night newscasts in Toronto, Montreal, Peterborough, Kingston and Halifax. She was formerly the weather specialist for Global News Morning.
Martin MacMahon is CTV Vancouver’s newest reporter. MacMahon has been at CityNews Vancouver since 2014, currently as a Senior Reporter. Prior to that, he was a reporter and anchor at 980 CKNW. His first day with CTV is Dec. 18.
Tahmina Aziz has departed CTV News Vancouver where she’s been a multi-skilled journalist for the last two years. Aziz, who previously worked with CHEK News Victoria and CBC in Windsor and Toronto, is returning home to Ontario.
Hannah Lepine has announced her departure from CHEK News Victoria. Lepine had been with CHEK since 2021 as a multimedia journalist and had served as weekend anchor for the last two years.
Emily Haws has joined CPAC as a producer. Haws arrives from CBC where she’s most recently been working as a reporter and editor in Nunavut. Prior to that, she was an associate chase producer with the Ottawa bureau and reported for The Hill Times.
Tori Marlan has joined the Investigative Journalism Foundation (IJF) as a reporter. Marlan arrives from Victoria’s Capital Daily where she’s been an investigative reporter for the last four years. Prior to that, she was a staff writer for the alternative, not-for-profit Chicago Reader for 13 years.
Jeremy White has announced that Dec. 22 will mark his final show on Energy 95.3 (CING-FM) Hamilton. White has been hosting the 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. time slot since 2021. He’ll continue to stay on with Corus Radio as a casual announcer. White will also continue to be heard on 105.5 JYY New Hampshire and his weekly podcast, The Jeremy White Show.
Krys Stewart has announced her departure from broadcasting saying she’s no longer a good fit “for what radio has become.” Most recently “mutually parting ways” with Pattison Media’s 98.3 CIFM Kamloops’ Best Rock, Stewart previously worked with CJAY 92 Calgary for seven years and prior to that Rawlco Radio’s stations in Saskatoon and North Battleford. In a Facebook video, Stewart expressed her longstanding frustration with program directors telling her to “tone it down.” She’s now working full-time in animal welfare.
J.C. Coutts is the new Program Manager at Blackburn Media’s AM 920 (CKNX-AM) and 101.7 The One (CKNX-FM) in Wingham. Most recently the morning show host on Shoreline Classic FM (CIYN-FM) Kincardine, Coutts previously did a stint as PD for 101.7 The One in 2010-11.
