Corus Entertainment has announced what it’s terming “enhancements” to its Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and business operating structure that sees Troy Reeb promoted to Executive Vice-President of Broadcast Networks; Colin Bohm upped to EVP Content and Corporate Strategy; and Greg McLelland, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer, taking on an expanded role to include marketing and Corus’ Social Digital Agency (so.da). Other members of the Corus ELT and their respective roles remain unchanged with John Gossling continuing as EVP and Chief Financial Officer; Cheryl Fullerton, EVP People and Communications; Dale Hancocks, EVP and General Counsel; and Shawn Kelly, EVP Technology. Read the full story here.
Jeff McArthur and Alan Carter will join Global News Radio 640 Toronto (CFMJ-AM) as part of a lineup refresh, starting Mar. 4, that will include the debut of a simulcast of Global Toronto’s Global News at 6, anchored by Carter and Farah Nasser. The revamped lineup sees Carter take over the noon to 1 p.m. weekday slot, formerly held by Tasha Kheiriddin. Kheiriddin, who is also an author and political analyst, had been hosting the noon – 2 p.m. show for the last three years. She’ll continue as a Global contributor, but her last day on-air will be Mar. 1. McArthur will host from 1 – 3 p.m. Both he and Carter will continue their respective hosting roles on Global TV. As part of the lineup overhaul, Kelly Cutrara’s show expands as she moves to the mid-morning timeslot (9 a.m. – noon), John Oakley’s show shifts one-hour earlier (3 p.m. – 6 p.m.), and Alex Pierson’s show expands by 30 minutes (6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET). Read the full story here.
Ashley Docking will succeed Elliot Price as co-host on Sportsnet 590 The Fan’s Starting Lineup, alongside Greg Brady and Hugh Burrill, beginning Feb. 28. Docking began her career as a community reporter for the Edmonton Oilers hockey club before taking on roles including sideline reporter for NBA TV Canada, NFL digital correspondent for the FNTSY Sports Network, and sports anchor for CHCH-TV Hamilton. She’s been hosting Sportsnet Tonight on The Fan since late 2017. Price, who had been with The Fan since Feb. 2017, was released by the station in late January, without explanation.
Bob Mills is moving on from Power 104 (CKLZ-FM) Kelowna. After anchoring the Power morning show for the last 12 years, Mills’ final day on-air will be Friday May 10, following a week long celebration of his 48 years in radio. Mills started his career at CBC Vancouver in 1972, followed by stints at CKGF Grand Forks and CKOO Oliver/Osoyoos, before making the leap into management at CKSP Summerland. Mills went on to help launch Magic FM (CJMG-FM) Penticton in 1985 and two years later Z99 (CIZZ-FM) Red Deer, while serving as PD of sister station CKGY-FM. He also served as PD at CJAY 92 Calgary and CFOX Vancouver, before landing at CKLZ/CKOV in 2002. Mills was PD from 2002-17, and joined the morning show in 2007.
Kieran Wilkie will join Bob Johnstone on mornings at Power 104, starting in May. Wilkie, who got his start as an intern at CKLZ in the mid-2000s, has most recently been with Vista Radio holding down mornings on 98.9 The Goat (CFCP-FM) Courtenay and middays on 95.7 Coast FM (CFPW-FM) Powell River.
Ron Charles is retiring after 30 years with CBC News. Charles joined the public broadcaster in 1989 and has primarily held roles with the network in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
Aaron Ferguson is the new morning host at Vista Radio’s 94.1 Moose FM (CKNR-FM) Algoma-Manitoulin, following the retirement of longtime host Bob Alexander in January. A 2018 Conestoga College Broadcasting graduate, and originally from nearby Massey, Ferguson previously did a short stint with CHNO-FM and CIGM-FM in Sudbury.
John Rooney will serve as president of the Youth Media Alliance (YMA) English-language Awards of Excellence jury. The best of TV and digital productions for youth will be honoured on May 29 at CBC’s Glenn-Gould Studio in Toronto. An independent consultant, Rooney has a vast history within kids television in Canada, starting in the late 90s with YTV and the Corus Kids & Family brands. He went on to help launch the Cartoon Network in Canada. Entries for the 2019 YMA Awards will be accepted until Mar. 1.
Pénélope McQuade will replace Catherine Perrin as host of Médium large on Radio-Canada, starting next season. Perrin, who has been hosting the daily, mid-morning radio show for eight seasons, announced her departure in early December. She’s alluded on-air that she’ll re-surface on another radio project.
ET Canada host Cheryl Hickey has been unveiled as the national brand ambassador for the John Frieda brand. As brand ambassador, Hickey will star in four ET Canada-produced style videos, showcasing John Frieda products. The campaign will also be promoted at Shoppers Drug Mart, both in stories nationally and online.
Patrick White is joining Jeux.ca, the Quebec website specializing in video games, esports and board games, as a partner for editorial content and development. White will be a minority shareholder, alongside founder and director Vincent Chevalier, a majority shareholder. With White’s arrival, Jeux.ca volunteer contributors will be paid going forward. White established HuffPost Québec in 2011 after working with CTV National News, Reuters, The Canadian Press (CP) French service, Journal de Québec (where he served as news director), and French online portal Canoe.ca, in addition to CKRL-FM and CHYZ-FM. Since leaving HuffPost in Oct. 2018, he has been appearing as a news commentator and lecturing in journalism at UQAM.
Mike McFarland is the new afternoon drive host on Jewel 105 (CKHY-FM) Halifax, starting today (Feb. 28). McFarland had been with the station’s previous incarnation Live 105 since late 2017. Evanov announced Denyse Sibley as the station’s new morning show host earlier this month.
Not A Subscriber? Subscribe Now – Free!
Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 25 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.
The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.
Let’s get started right now.