CBC News today previewed the much anticipated transformation of its news programming, just days before its official unveiling for CBC audiences on Monday, October 26.
The new CBC News is the result of comprehensive research asking Canadians what they want from their public broadcaster. The result: an updated CBC, designed to keep Canadians informed across all platforms and modernized with a new look and sound for The National, Newsworld and World Report.
The National with Peter Mansbridge is transformed with an expanded roster of correspondents – among the most trusted, experienced journalists in Canada. CBC Newsworld has a new schedule, format and a new name – CBC News Network (CBC NN). CBC Radio’s World Report launches with a new format and new host, veteran foreign correspondent Peter Armstrong. And in locations across Canada a brand new late night local newscast will air on CBC Television.
“These are the most significant changes ever undertaken by CBC News,” said Richard Stursberg, Executive Vice President, English Services, CBC/Radio-Canada. “The new CBC News is the result of the single, biggest audience research project ever undertaken by CBC – Canadians told us what they wanted and we listened.”
CBC’s research also found people want more control over what, when and how they access CBC News. The new programming will engage people across all CBC platforms so they feel more empowered and well informed while making the news more personally relevant.
“The people we surveyed said they want a more transparent and ‘open’ CBC so we’re bringing the news closer to our audiences, in our presentation and by allowing audiences access to the news gathering process,” said Jennifer McGuire, general manager and editor-in-chief, CBC News. “We are excited to showcase not just a ‘new and improved’ CBC News, but a revitalized CBC News that will keep Canadians engaged and well-informed with timely accessible information across all platforms: television, radio and online.”
At the heart of the change to CBC News programming is an integrated approach to news gathering with a multi-platform assignment desk called The Hub. The Hub will assign and direct all reporting resources (radio, tv, online) including content units arts such as entertainment, health, business, sports, and environment. Two other units, investigative and consumer, are managed by CBC flagship programs, the fifth estate and Marketplace respectively.
Here are some details about the new CBC News:
THE NATIONAL
· Hosted by Peter Mansbridge, CBC News Chief Correspondent
· Peter Mansbridge joined by 14 correspondents
· Adrienne Arsenault (based in London)
· Neil MacDonald (Washington)
· Nahlah Ayed (Montreal)
· Terry Milewski (Ottawa)
· Wendy Mesley (with a provocative new program segment)
· Amanda Lang (Senior Business correspondent)
· Gillian Findlay (Investigative correspondent)
· Rex Murphy (returning with his unique point-of-view)
· Susan Ormiston (Toronto)
· Mellissa Fung (Toronto)
· Reg Sherrin (Winnipeg)
· Kim Brunhuber (Calgary)
· Duncan McCue (Vancouver)
· Krista Erickson (Consumer Affairs correspondent)
· New format – including a new feature several times a week with Wendy Mesley seeking answers to the provocative question of the day
· In addition to an enhanced program website, The National will have on-demand and mobile versions available by 6 p.m. ET, which will also soon be customizable and available in different languages
· Seven nights a week
· Monday-Sunday 10 p.m. (10:30 NT) on CBC-TV
· Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on CBC-TV
· CBC News Network at 9 and 11 p.m. ET/PT and Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT
· Program wraps with local news coverage
CBC NEWS NETWORK
· Formerly CBC Newsworld
· Seven days a week, 24 hours a day
· Dayside on the network is known as CBC News Now, showcasing the best of CBC journalism with more live coverage from CBC bureaus across Canada and around the world
· CBC News Now with Heather Hiscox from 6-9 a.m. ET
· CBC News Now with Anne-Marie Mediwake from 9-11 a.m. ET
· CBC News Now with Suhana Meharchand from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET
· CBC News Now with Carole MacNeil from 2-4:30 p.m. ET
· The Lang & O’Leary Exchange
· Hosted by Amanda Lang, joined by Kevin O’Leary
· Monday-Friday, 4:30-5 p.m. ET
· CBC NN’s new business show bringing the day’s breaking business news, complemented by astute analysis, lively debates and key interviews
· Power & Politics with Evan Solomon
· Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m. ET
· CBC NN’s new political show from Ottawa covering stories of policy, power and the people who make Canada run, both on the Hill and across the country
· Connect with Mark Kelley
· Hosted by Mark Kelley
· Joining Mark will be Reshmi Nair, formerly with CFTO-TV (CTV) in Toronto
· Monday-Friday, 7-9 p.m. ET (repeats at midnight PT)
· CBC NN’s new news talk show covering breaking events in Canada and around the world – the show takes a personal perspective on the news and looks at stories through people
· Weekend daytime programming has the same emphasis on live coverage on breaking news stories
· Weekend anchors are Nancy Wilson, Dianne Buckner and Jacquie Perrin
CHECK OUT THE NEW SCHEDULE HERE!
CBC NEWS WORLD REPORT, CBC Radio One
· Hosted by Peter Armstrong
· Monday-Friday at 5, 6, 7 and 8 a.m. ET
· Saturday at 6, 7, 8 and 9 a.m. ET
· An additional national report has been added for a total of four 10-minute live morning newscasts that cover breaking news and updates and developing stories in Canada and around the world
CBC LOCAL NEWS
* On August 31 supper hours were expanded to 90 minutes
* The local news footprint is expanding with more online coverage and more local radio newscasts – an update at 6:30 p.m. and a newscast at 7 p.m. on CBC Radio One
* CBC News Late Night – a 10 minute newscast following The National will begin on October 26
CBCNews.ca
* A new political portal will launch on October 26 and will include blogging by Kady O’Malley, and others including well-known veteran Ottawa journalist Don Newman
* A new website for The National also launches on October 26 and will offer viewers additional opportunities to get the program online