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REVOLVING DOOR:
Lee Jones and Cole Davenport are switching anchor roles at CTV Regina. Jones – who is looking to spend more time with his family – will now anchor CTV News at Five, while Davenport anchors CTV News at Six. Jones has worked for CTV Saskatchewan for nearly 27 years and became co-anchor of CTV News at Six in 2018. He’ll also take on Assignment Editor duties going forward. Davenport joined CTV Regina as an intern in 2017.
Jay Durant has announced that he’s been caught up in layoffs at Corus Entertainment after more than 25 years as a reporter with Global BC. Durant’s reporting spanned features, sports and live events.
Casey-Jo Loos has joined SiriusXM as a Content Producer, Talk Programming, working on The Daily Goods with Liza Fromer and Jay Brody. Loos was formerly the afternoon host at 102.1 The Edge (CFNY-FM) Toronto, before getting caught up in a round of layoffs at Corus Radio in early 2025. Prior to that, she held on-air roles at CFOX Vancouver and FM96 (CFPL-FM) London.
Jesse Brown is fired! https://t.co/G2iloLg7Fz
— CANADALAND (@CANADALAND) October 8, 2026
Jesse Brown has announced that he’s made the decision to fire himself as host of Canadaland’s flagship podcast. After 13 years as Canadaland’s primary host, Brown is stepping away from the mic to double down on covering the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and the rise of antisemitism in Canada. Brown, who will remain Publisher and Editor, plans to replace himself by the end of October with three new hosts. Read more here.
Harrison Lowman, who has most recently been Managing Editor at The Hub, is joining Canadaland as Managing Editor. Luke Smith assumes the role of Managing Editor at The Hub. With the publication since 2021, Smith formerly served as Deputy Editor.
Chris Hanna has joined The Canadian Press (CP) as Ontario Bureau Chief. Hanna arrives from Yahoo! Canada, where he’d been a Senior Editor since 2019.
Jenifer Norwell is stepping into the role of Lead Producer at CBC Kamloops, following Rob Polson’s recent departure. Norwell has been with CBC for nearly two decades, and has been working in the Kamloops bureau since 2015, most recently as Coordinating Producer.
Karina Zapata is stepping away from CBC/Radio-Canada after five years. Zapata, who first joined CBC in 2021 as a Joan Donaldson Scholar, had been a reporter and editor with the Calgary bureau.
Simran Singh is returning from maternity leave to a new role at Daily Hive as Managing Editor. Singh has been a senior reporter with the publication since 2023, and more recently served as an Associate Editor.
Claudia Langlois has departed Bell Media after more than a decade. Langlois, who joined the company in 2016, most recently held the title of Executive Account Manager, National Digital Sales.
Brandon Daniel Brown aka DJ Immortal has joined The Beat CJRO 96.3 FM Carlsbad Springs, ON as its new Sales & Marketing Manager. A 2026 Algonquin College Radio Broadcasting graduate, Brown has been a host with the station since April.
Jim Coe has joined Lower Sackville, NS community station, The Blend CIOE 97.5 FM, as Sales and Revenue Manager. Coe was formerly the Manager of Advertising Sales for Seaside FM (CFEP-FM) in Eastern Passage for 24 years.
Barry Olinyk has joined Inland Audio Visual as Regional Sales Manager for Alberta, based in Edmonton. Olinyk, who formerly has held roles with Panasonic North America and Advance Electronics, transitioned into radio sales in 2019, initially with Corus Entertainment before joining Pattison Media in 2025.
Bob Kane has joined Acast Canada as a Senior Account Executive. Kane was most recently Canada Country Manager for Libsyn Ads. Prior to that, he served as VP of Sales for The Podcast Exchange (TPX) and was the former Senior Manager of Brand Partnerships for CBC.
Brandon Lane is the new Senior Manager of Children’s Programming at B.C.’s Knowledge Network. The longtime showrunner, writer and director takes over from the retiring Michele Paris. Most recently VP of Creative at Toronto’s Balloon House Productions, his background includes development and production roles at Nelvana, Corus Entertainment, and 9 Story.
RADIO & PODCAST:
The CRTC has approved an application from Torres Media, on behalf of Evanov Radio Group, to change the ownership and effective control of English-language commercial radio station Lite 106.7 (CHSV-FM) Hudson/Saint-Lazare, Que. for $300,000. The commission also approves Torres Media’s request for a new broadcasting licence to continue operation of the station.
The CRTC has approved Hope Channel Canada’s application to change ownership and effective control of English‑language commercial religious specialty FM stations CJRP‑FM Saint John and its transmitter CJRP‑FM‑1 Rothesay, and CKOE‑FM Moncton. HCC will acquire the assets of the stations from DARR FM Radio and Houssen Broadcasting, with a proposed transaction value of $120,00 ($80,000 for CJRP-FM and CJRP-FM-1, and $40,000 for CKOE-FM).
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Gloria Evans has been inducted into the Saskatchewan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. One-half of the morning show on Harvard Media’s 620 CKRM Regina for the past 15 years, Evans began her radio career at 620 CKCK in 1986 before spending several years building her career across Alberta. She returned to Saskatchewan and joined 620 CKRM in 2011.
Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation’s annual Radio Day in Sydney, NS set another record, raising more than $1.75M on Oct. 8. The 19th annual event broke records for a fifth year in a row, broadcast over 12 hours in partnership with Stingray Radio’s Hot 101.9 (CHRK-FM) and New Country 103.5 (CKCH-FM),
The CISN Country 103.9 Yards for Hope raised over $385,000 after 27 hours broadcasting live from the field at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium. Jack Sweeney and Matt DeBeurs from CISN in the Mornings surpassed their fundraising goal for Hope Mission, with support from Global Edmonton, 880 CHED, Chuck @ 92.5 (CKNG-FM), Country 105 (CKRY-FM) and QR (CHQR-AM) Calgary. Starting Oct. 8, Jack & Matt began broadcasting at one end zone of the football field, moving one yard for every thousand dollars donated. The event’s 11-year total is now over $3.4 million.
QR Calgary 770 (CHQR-FM) has launched new podcast, The Tartan Tie, featuring Mayor Jeromy Farkas in conversation the first week of every month. Hosted by Sarah Crosbie, the first episode addresses the Alberta referendum, among other topics.
Pro Bono Group has rolled out a new national PSA in support of Canadian food banks. “Family Dinner” can replace what broadcasters and podcasters are currently airing.
Broadcast Dialogue’s Canadian Radio Awards are open to submissions until Oct. 28. Check out all 16 categories at CanadianRadioAwards.com, including Leadership Excellence, Station of the Year, Young Broadcaster of the Year, Best Imaging & more.
SIGN OFFS:
Helen Branswell, 69, on Oct. 13 of cancer. Branswell, who originally hailed from Sherbrooke, Que., started freelancing for a small newspaper after graduating from St. Thomas University, which eventually led to a 30-year career with The Canadian Press (CP). Starting in 1986, Branswell first worked as a reporter-editor at CP’s Halifax bureau, then as a correspondent for CP in Calgary, covering local news, business, and sports, before going on to serve as a reporter and later editor with the Ottawa bureau from 1989 to 1995. She went on to do a five-year stint as a foreign correspondent, before returning to Toronto in 2000 and becoming focused on medical reporting during the SARS outbreak. She left CP in 2015 to join Boston-based STAT News, establishing herself as an expert with early insights into the COVID-19 pandemic. Branswell was frequently heard as an expert on CBC Radio, among other outlets. Among the accolades she received were the Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting and the George Polk Award for Public Service for her COVID reportage. She was also a Pulitzer Prize finalist and the recipient of an honorary degree from Carleton University.
Jean-Luc Mongrain, 75, on Oct. 11 of cancer. Mongrain started his 50-year journalism career in 1974 as a news reader at CJRS Sherbrooke. He soon began hosting and made his television debut in the 1980s, before moving to Montreal and the Télé-Métropole network, where he hosted the “Mongrain de sel” show for a decade. He went on to join TQS from 1999 to 2008, anchoring “Le Grand Journal,” before joining LCN, where he hosted a 90-minute mid-afternoon talk show until 2012. Mongrain made a return to radio in 2020, hosting the daily “Mongrain” on 98.5 FM. More recently, he hosted the podcast “Mongrain en balado,” interviewing prominent Quebec figures on social issues. Over the course of his career, he earned 18 Artis Awards, repeatedly honoured in the Personality of the Year and Best Presenter in News and Public Affairs categories.
Gord Hume, 76, on Oct. 6. Hume started his broadcasting career in 1967 as a city hall reporter at CKOM Saskatoon. He went on to work at CKPC Brantford; CKGL/CHYM-FM Kitchener; CJJD Hamilton, where he rose to the position of General Manager; and CKSL/CIQM-FM London, where he served as President and GM. Hume was elected to London City Council four times between 1997 and 2010, chairing the London Police Services Board, the London Public Library Board, London’s Creative City Task Force, and the Small Business Task Force, among other committees. He authored seven non-fiction books on local government, designing and building great cities, and improving the quality of life in communities. His career also included stints as a professor at Western University and instructor at Conestoga College. He was a frequent guest lecturer and columnist under the banner of his own consultancy, Hume Communications.
TV & FILM:
Citytv has announced the launch of Dateline Canada, the first international expansion of the NBC Dateline franchise. Set to premiere Thursday, Nov. 26 on Citytv and Citytv+ with a two-hour special, the inaugural episode will bring the Dateline brand’s signature long-form investigative treatment to the 1990 disappearance of University of Toronto student Elizabeth Bain. The Canadian franchise will be helmed by veteran journalist and Dateline Canada contributing correspondent Diana Swain. Read more here.
Run Terry Run, the feature-length documentary on the Canadian hero’s 1980 Marathon of Hope, had the biggest opening theatrical weekend for an English-language Canadian documentary in over a decade. The film grossed a staggering $116K at the Canadian box office over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, following its opening on Friday, Oct. 9 on over 150 screens – the biggest opening for a non-concert documentary since Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 in 2004. Read more here.
Asian Television Network (ATN) has acquired the Canadian broadcast rights to the National Cricket League GT20 (NCLGT20). The NCLGT20 features some of the biggest names in international cricket, combining established cricket legends with leading international and emerging talent in a fast-paced T20 format. All 18 NCLGT20 matches will be available live across Canada on ATN Cricket Plus, CBN, and ATN Sports.
Jared Keeso’s I Kill The Bear, a new, six-part Crave Original comedy series about a family of Franco-Ontarian film set bear wranglers, drops with two episodes weekly, beginning Friday, Nov. 6. Keeso is joined onscreen by an ensemble cast including: Adrian Holmes (19-2, Bel-Air), MMA star Georges St-Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Jonathan Torrens (Trailer Park Boys), Sarah-Maude Beauchesne (Bellefleur), Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Scott Thompson (Kids in the Hall), Dylan Playfair (LETTERKENNY), Eliana Jones (SHORESY), Frederick Roy (SHORESY), and Megha Sandhu (Painkiller).
Blue Ant Media is building on its expansion into scripted content with the acquisition of licensing rights to The Ambassador, a new scripted series starring Samantha Bee (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee). Produced by Amaze Film & Television and commissioned by CBC, the 10-episode, half-hour series is set to premiere in 2027 and now available to international buyers for pre-sale at MIPCOM. The workplace comedy is set at a scrappy Canadian embassy in Bulgaria.
ONLINE & DIGITAL MEDIA:
Sports Page BC has officially launched, a new platform covering sports across British Columbia that aims to revive the legacy of the iconic TV sports program. Helmed by longtime sportscaster Scott Rintoul, the platform’s name embodies the spirit of the long-running Sports Page that aired on CKVU-TV (now Citytv) Vancouver from 1977 to 2001 and then continued on Victoria’s CHEK-TV until the fall of 2005. Read more here.
FEATURE: Welcome our newest contributor Kylee Winn, whose inaugural column lays out a road map for “Bridging the Gap Between Radio and Digital.” Read more here.
REGULATORY, TELECOM & MEDIA:
Anthropic and its Canadian subsidiary are the subject of a sweeping legal action filed in Ontario Superior Court against the AI developer, alleging ongoing unauthorized scraping of copyrighted journalism. The lawsuit, filed Oct. 6, sees the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Metroland Media, Postmedia Network and PNI Maritimes LP, as well as The Canadian Press, come together seeking potentially billions in damages. The suit accuses Anthropic of engaging in the systematic harvesting and misappropriation of millions of works to train and operate its commercial artificial intelligence models, including flagship assistant “Claude” without permission, licensing agreements, or financial compensation in violation of the Copyright Act. Read more here.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) has commissioned new research showing health care and affordability lead a list of community concerns that Canadians want to see more reporting on. Conducted by Canada Pulse Insights, the September survey found that 88% are interested in news about their local community, but 53% say at least two of the three local issues that matter to them most don’t receive enough coverage. Read more here.
Rick Harp is receiving an Honorary Doctorate of laws from the University of Winnipeg. Harp first caught the radio bug at Carleton University campus station, CKCU-FM, kicking off a more than 25-year broadcast career that included national and regional stints at CBC Radio, APTN and NCI-FM. A former Artistic/Managing Director of the Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival, he currently serves as co-founder and president of the INDIGENA Creative Group and is the host of the Media Indigena podcast.
BROADCAST TECH & ENGINEERING:
Bionics Founder and CEO Dan McQuillan told the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE) that broadcasters struggling under tight budgets and rapid audience shifts must move beyond traditional hardware setups and adopt a dynamic “software mindset” to navigate the AI revolution. Delivering the opening keynote at WABE’s 76th Media and Entertainment Technology Conference in Vancouver, McQuillan challenged the room to fundamentally rethink how facilities are built and operated. Read more here. More WABE coverage to come.
Nyx Hemera Technologies, a Quebec-based company specializing in intelligent lighting control and management systems for critical infrastructure, has acquired Comlab Telecommunications and its Davicom division. Nyx Hemera says the complementary technologies will enable them to expand their engineering and product development capabilities, opening up future markets. Nyx Hemera and Comlab/Davicom will continue to operate separately, maintaining and developing their respective product lines.
Triton Digital has announced the integration of Datonics audience data, giving publishers access to a broad range of third-party audience segments for more precise targeting through the Triton Ad Platform (TAP). The integration brings Datonics’ wide-ranging audience taxonomy, including demographics, automotive, CPG purchase behavior, and other audience attributes into Triton’s ad tech. Datonics segments are available now in 12 countries, including Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
