Sign Offs

John Beveridge

John Beveridge, 89, on June 15. After working for the Canadian High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand, Beveridge started his career in broadcasting with the CBC in 1959. He went on to join CJOH-TV Ottawa where he was hired just 10 days before the station went on-air in 1961. He started as film librarian, staying with the station for 33 years through successive promotions to Program Manager, and later Vice-President of Programming. He retired in 1995. Beveridge was an active participant in Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) committee work prior to his retirement.

Doug Ackhurst

Doug Ackhurst, 77, peacefully at home on June 24, following a seven-year battle with metastatic melanoma. Ackhurst started his broadcast career in 1961 at CFOX 1470 “Lakeshore Family Radio”, working for Gord Sinclair Jr. He quickly rose to become Program Director, then Manager. He then joined the new Northern Broadcasting, owned by Jack Schoone, and worked as manager of CFCH and CKAT, overseeing the Timmins stations for over nine years. When Telemedia took over, he was moved to Toronto to run CJCL, where he instituted “Music of your Life” and later “All Sports.” After eight years, he moved to CFOR Orillia and CKMP Midland and was responsible for switching them to FM under the KICX brand. He also had responsibility for Bracebridge, Timmins and Stratford. From Orillia, he moved to Sudbury for two years, managing CIGM and CJRQ. He then returned to Toronto to run The Fan 590 for more than six years until Telemedia was sold to Rogers in 2002. He retired as Vice President and General Manager. Ackhurst served on many boards over the years, including FACTOR and the Ontario Association of Broadcasters (OAB). He was proud that his grandson Matthew Maynard followed him into broadcasting (Algonquin College 2019) and is currently employed by AMI.

Broadcast Dialogue
Broadcast Dialogue
Broadcast Dialogue is Canada’s broadcast industry publication of record. The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is distributed by controlled circulation every Thursday. Broadcast Dialogue content may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of the publisher.

The Weekly Briefing - Subscribe Now – Free!

It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.

Events / Conferences