Revolving Door

John Roberts is part of a daytime programming shuffle at Fox News which will see the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Famer move from the White House to the anchor desk. The outgoing Chief White House Correspondent will host new afternoon show, America Reports, with Sandra Smith. “J.D. Roberts” is best known in Canada as one of the original MuchMusic personalities before moving into an anchoring role with Citytv.

Bradford How, who was a MuchMusic VJ from 2000-03 before joining VH1, has resurfaced as part of the anchor team for LIT Entertainment News. The looped celebrity news channel will be exclusive to NBC-Universal’s Peacock streaming service before rolling out to other platforms both in the U.S. and internationally. How, who hails from Winnipeg, has primarily been doing commercial acting work since 2008.

Candace Daniel is returning to Global News Toronto as the new co-anchor/producer of Global News Morning and the News at Noon, starting, Jan. 18. Daniel started at Global Toronto as an intern before being hired as an associate producer with Global National. She went on to hold weather and news anchor roles with Global Regina and most recently had been anchoring the evening news at CTV Barrie. 

Steve Guthrie has retired from CHEX-TV Peterborough after 42 years. After studying radio and TV arts in Welland, Guthrie started with CHEX as a photographer in 1979. Known for his deep knowledge of local history, the Global News station still plans to tap Guthrie as a contributor.

Danielle Smith has announced she’s leaving 770 CHQR Calgary and radio behind next month, saying that in “this hyper-sensitive social media environment” it’s become increasingly difficult to express honest opinions. Smith, who self-identifies as a Libertarian, is the former leader of Alberta’s Official Opposition, leading the Wildrose Party from 2009-14, before crossing the floor to join the governing Progressive Conservatives. Since shortly after her defeat in the 2015 election, she’s been hosting the midday talk show on CHQR. Read more here.

Barry Stewart has been named Programming Manager for the Evanov Radio Group, advising and assisting all stations, in cooperation with PDs and Brand Managers. Stewart has been with Evanov for the last nine years in various programming and consulting roles. Prior to that, he was with CHUM-FM for three decades, including 11 years as APD.

Bob Willette has accepted the position of Program Manager for Big FM (CFMK-FM) and Fresh FM (CKWS-FM) Kingston. Willette was most recently PD for Bell Media’s 102.9 K-LITE (CKLH-FM) Hamilton and 105.7 EZ Rock (CHRE-FM) St. Catharines. He started his radio career as a producer for Humble and Fred during their reign at 102.1 The Edge (CFNY-FM) Toronto.

Matthew DiMera, the Interim Editor-in-Chief of rabble.ca, has quit over concerns about systemic racism and unfair labour practices. DiMera, who is also the founder of soon-to-launch independent BIPOC journalism outlet The Resolve, wrote in a post on Indiegraf that a review of nearly 20 years of reporting at rabble found that of columnists published five times or more, approximately 91.8% were white authors. Prior to joining rabble in March 2019, DiMera was Managing Editor of Xtra. 

Francine Compton is joining CBC’s Indigenous Unit in Winnipeg as an assignment producer. Compton, who also serves as the president of the Native American Journalists Association, has been a producer with APTN for the last 12 years, most recently as Executive Producer, East.

Erin Hopkins has joined Peter Harrison on the new MOVE Radio (CIOO-FM) Halifax morning show. Harrison, who has been with the station since 1984, was the last man standing after former C100 morning show co-hosts JC Douglas and Melody Rose were caught up in layoffs in November. Hopkins was formerly the midday host on Virgin Radio (CJCH-FM) Halifax. In the meantime, JC Douglas has joined 89.9 The Wave (CHNS-FM) in afternoon drive.

Stacey Brotzel has surfaced as a fill-in host on 96.3 the Breeze (CKRA-FM) Edmonton. Brotzel, along with CTV Morning Live co-host Rob Brown, were released by CTV Edmonton last September.

Mike Yawney, the longtime technology contributor to Citytv’s Breakfast Television, has launched his own YouTube channel. The Gadget Guy will focus on Yawney’s love of tech and video games. Yawney, who is based in Calgary, was part of layoffs at Rogers Sports & Media this past November.

Anya Nazeravich is moving into a VJ position with Global News Winnipeg. A 2020 graduate of Red River College’s Creative Communications program, Nazeravich has been a news anchor with 680 CJOB for the past year.

Jon Woodward is leaving CTV News Vancouver for a new role with CTV Toronto. An award-winning investigative reporter, Woodward had been with CTV Vancouver since 2007. He’s also been a part-time instructor at Langara College and BCIT, teaching Data Journalism and Investigative Techniques.

Matt Fogarty has left the Creative department at Jim Pattison Broadcast Group after 13 years to transition to voice acting full-time. Based in the Island Radio division in Nanaimo, Fogarty had been Creative Director for the last nine years overseeing six stations. Since June, he’s been represented by the Atlas Talent Agency, in addition to working as a radio imaging voice for Benztown for the last two years.

Rob Patrick, better known as one half of the Pepper & Dylan morning show on Edmonton’s KiSS 91.7 (CHBN-FM) has returned to work after checking himself into rehab in November. Patrick, who also suffers with chronic depression among other mental health issues, told CityNews the pandemic heightened his dependence on alcoholism. The Pepper & Dylan Show celebrated its 15th anniversary this month.

Scott Brooks has left his role at Moose FM (CKFU-FM) Fort St. John to move back to his home province of Ontario. Brooks had been a news and sports reporter with the station and digital outlet energeticcity.ca since 2018.

Patrick Rogers has been named Chief Executive Officer of Music Canada. Rogers had previously been the Vice President, Corporate Affairs and served as interim co-CEO since June. Jackie Dean, who had also served as interim co-CEO, has been appointed President of CONNECT Music Licensing and will remain Chief Operating Officer of Music Canada.

David Gale has been elected as the new President of ACTRA Toronto, succeeding Theresa Tova. Gale previously served as VP, Communications, starting in 2010. Jocelyn Zucco has been elected to fill the executive position created by Gale’s election. 

Richard Goldsmith is joining Thunderbird Entertainment Group and Atomic Cartoons as the company forms a new Global Distribution and Consumer Products Division. Goldsmith will lead the new venture as President, overseeing worldwide content distribution and development of consumer products and experiences that expand audience engagement across all Thunderbird properties. Goldsmith’s background includes leadership roles in media distribution, licensing, merchandising and business development for major entertainment brands including The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company. Prior to joining Thunderbird, he was part of the senior management team at Cyber Group Studios.

John Hargrave is the new Vice President, Products at Cogeco Connexion. Hargrave has nearly 20 years of experience developing IT products and software. Prior to joining Cogeco, he was responsible for product management, software engineering, content-related operations and professional services for Zone·tv. He’s also worked with Ericsson Inc. as global head of product delivery and service and was General Manager of Global Solutions at Microsoft from 2005-13.