There’s word Bell Media has made a handful of cuts at its Halifax radio stations, as the fallout from staff reductions at Rogers Sports & Media in the Maritime city this week reveal at least half a dozen staff at News 95.7 (CJNI-FM) are gone.
JC Douglas and Melody Rose, two of three co-hosts on the C100 (CIOO-FM) morning show, were released Wednesday as the station made an early shift to all-Christmas music. Douglas has been a staple in the market for 30 years and was formerly the long-serving program director at Stingray’s Q104 (CFRQ-FM). He’d been with Bell Media since 2015, while Rose joined the morning show in late 2016. Bell Media has also confirmed the morning man at iHeartRadio station CJ104 (CJCJ-FM) Woodstock, NB has been eliminated. Ed Shaw had been with the station since 2018 and hosting the show solo since February of this year.
At Rogers’ Halifax newstalk station News 95.7, at least six staff were pink-slipped Tuesday, including talk show hosts Sheldon MacLeod and Todd Veinotte, morning editor Steve MacArthur, anchors Skye Bryden-Blom and Steve Gow, and morning reporter David Heintzman. MacLeod’s last show will air Nov. 27, while Veinotte will continue to host for the next two weekends.
I too am part of this “small percentage.” Although I’ll never consider my passion for my career or my love for listeners as small. I’m so grateful for my time on the air in #Halifax. Thank you for listening. My last day is Nov 27th. Much love – Skye
pic.twitter.com/xfZscr9iq1
— Skye Bryden-Blom (@skyebrydenblom) November 18, 2020
Hello friends, family, and followers. As many are already aware the lay off axe was swung with wild abandon at #Rogers and unfortunately I was one of the cuts made @NEWS957. There are many thoughts and feelings to be shared, but I will restrain myself.
— Dave Heintzman (@daveheintzman) November 18, 2020
They join what’s believed to be 100 staff cut from the media division in this round of layoffs, as Rogers Sports & Media moves to cancel the Citytv Breakfast Television morning shows in their current form in Vancouver and Calgary to make way for a new national version of the show.
Citytv in Vancouver lost at least five staff, including on-air personalities Mary Cranston, Greg Harper, Thor Diakow, shooter/editor Christian Adler, and producer John Streit, as well as meteorologist Russ Lacate, who did double duty on News 1130 (CKWX-AM). On the radio side, News 1130 lost at least four staff, in addition to the cancellation of the JACK 96.9 (CJAX-FM) morning show. Read more here.
Wow. What an incredible 2.5 years! I feel so privileged to have worked with some of the most kind, HILARIOUS and talented group of people I’ve come to know. I knew this wasn’t going to last forever so I made sure to cherish every moment. Thanks for belly laughs
#btvancouver pic.twitter.com/poUQQtGIXK
— Mary Cranston (@mary_cranston) November 18, 2020
Feeling grateful today for the experience of a lifetime. 20+ years in broadcasting working with the most amazing, kind, funny, generous people, all of whom became my family away from home. I love you guys and I’ll really miss you. It was a good run, #NoRagrets
— Russ Lacate (@NEWS1130Weather) November 18, 2020
Have you been impacted by a radio or TV layoff? Reach out to Broadcast Dialogue and let us know at submissions@broadcastdialogue.com.
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