Don Cherry has been fired by Sportsnet. Cherry, 85, has been hosting intermission segment Coach’s Corner during Hockey Night in Canada (HNIC) broadcasts since 1982. His release follows a rant during the Nov. 9 Coach’s Corner in which he referred to new immigrants as “you people” in expressing his disappointment that more Canadians aren’t wearing the poppy in remembrance of veterans. The segment resulted in so many complaints to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council that the broadcast watchdog’s system was overwhelmed and it announced it could no longer process any more. As far as what might replace Coach’s Corner going forward, Andrew Garas, Director of Communications for Sportsnet, told Broadcast Dialogue in an email that the network “is still considering options” for the first HNIC intermission segment. Read the full story here.
Denis Dubois has been appointed Vice President, Original Content at Quebecor Content. He will be responsible for program development across Quebecor’s platforms, including TVA Network, its specialty channels, Club illico, and their digital platforms. Dubois previously worked on positioning and promotion of TVA Group’s specialty channels from 2008 to 2013. Most recently, he’s been the general manager of programming at Télé-Québec. He’ll take up his new role Nov. 25.
Nicolas Martineau is stepping away from TVA Sports. Martineau, a former boxer, has been an editor and journalist with the network for the past six years. Watch his signoff video here.
Newstalk 1010 (CFRB-AM) contributor Christie Blatchford is undergoing treatment for cancer. Blatchford, who is heard on round tables on Moore in the Morning and The Rush, is also a longtime columnist with The National Post. The station is collecting well wishes for Blatchford here.
Teri Hart has been let go Breakfast Television Toronto. Hart has been with Rogers since 2015 as a reporter and senior producer, after 18 years in similar roles at Bell Media.
Justin Bourne has joined Sportsnet 590 The Fan (CJCL-AM) as a full-time contributor to Hockey Central. Bourne, a former American Hockey League player, has been a senior NHL writer with The Athletic for the past two years and previously worked with theScore.
Paul Thomas and Grace Howley have been appointed to the shared role of Assistant General Manager for Zoomer Radio (CFZM-FM) and The New Classical FM (CFMZ-FM). Thomas will also take on program director duties for both stations and Howley the role of VP, Sales, Zoomer Media Radio. Thomas started at The New Classical FM 12 years ago as a commercial and imaging producer and also assisted with production of theZoomer, VisionTV’s flagship current affairs series. He was subsequently promoted to Music Director, and later Program Director. Howley has previously held roles including Senior Media Advisor and Director of Sales from 2015-19.
Gene Stevens has returned to Zoomer Radio as Music Director. Stevens was the original Program Director at AM 740 from the station’s launch in 2001 through 2011, following its acquisition by Moses Znaimer and ZoomerMedia. Stevens retired from management in 2011, but has continued to host Sunday afternoon show ‘Vintage Favourites.’
Ryan Lidemark is leaving Corus Vancouver all-traffic station AM 730 (CHMJ-AM) to join Rogers’ News 1130 (CKWX-AM). Lidemark has been with Corus since 2014, co-hosting and producing the AM 730 morning drive show. Starting next month, he’ll take on the role of morning drive traffic anchor at News 1130.
Adriana Nicolucci is the newest member of the Global News online video breaking news team. Nicolucci comes to Global from CBC where she worked as an online video editor on both short and long-term projects as well as breaking news.
Rob Snow has parted ways with Newstalk 580 CFRA Ottawa. Snow was the host of midday show “News & Views with Rob Snow.” He had been a voice on the station for more than 15 years.
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