O’Leary will join Amanda Lang, who also left BNN recently, at the helm of the new show. Their new show will air weekday afternoons. “Amanda Lang left alone in a show with her liberal views is dangerous,” he joked to the Globe and Mail. “I have been hired on behalf of all Canadians who believe in the capitalist system to keep her in check.”

More seriously O’Leary told the paper “We built something together and I didn’t want to lose it – I like working with her.”

The new show is part of a massive overhaul of CBC News, that is being described internally as the news renewal project. Other changes as part of the project include a new politics show from Ottawa, hosted by Evan Solomon, a new prime-time Newsworld show hosted by Mark Kelly and integrating the news division to improve coordination and communication.  The changes are intended to make the news division more nimble, better coordinated with cbcnews.ca, and to improving and expanding local news.

In his new role Solomon will be taking over the anchor chair from Don Newman, who retired in June. The show will broadcast from 5 to 7 p.m. ET. Solomon previously hosted CBC News: Sunday, which broadcast its last episode last month.

Terry Milweski move to Ottawa should be interesting. Milewski is a pit bull of a reporter who has not always had cordial relationships with politicians. His reporting on 1997 APEC summit got him into hot water when Prime Minister Jean Chrétien accused him of bias. Milewski was later cleared of that charge by the CBC ombudsman who described him as an “aggressive and critical” journalist whose work served the public interest.

Other CBC staffers taking up new assignments include:
-Keith Boag is moving to Los Angeles as the new U.S. West Coast correspondent;
-Susan Bonner is moving to the Washington bureau;
-David Common is heading to New York City, after a stint in Paris.

The moves are partly driven by the news renewal process and partly by the retirements. Jennifer McGuire, general manager of CBC News, made the announcement on Wednesday.

The full press release is available after the jump. What do you think of the moves?

Beginning this fall Evan Solomon will host an expanded political show from Ottawa covering stories of policy, power and the people who make Canada run, both on the Hill and across the country. Evan brings a fresh perspective to coverage from the nation’s capital. The program launches this fall from 5-7 p.m. ET on CBC Newsworld.

Terry Milewski also moves to Ottawa as CBC News’ new senior correspondent in the political bureau. A seasoned reporter, Milewski will report on politics with the same fearless determination he brings to every story he covers.

As the Obama administration continues to dominate international political news, CBC News will also strengthen its presence in the United States with more on-the-ground reporting and in-depth reports from that country’s most influential cities.

Keith Boag becomes CBC News American West Coast correspondent based in Los Angeles covering the California region and beyond following five years as CBC News chief political correspondent in Ottawa.

Bringing her astute political sense to CBC News’ Washington bureau is Susan Bonner, who will join Neil MacDonald, Paul Hunter and Michael Colton. Together, they will bring CBC viewers some of the most important political stories coming out of the Obama administration.

David Common moves to a new position in New York City after a successful stint based in Paris covering stories all over Europe.

Adding to the breadth of CBC News’ political coverage is THE HOUSE with Kathleen Petty airing from Ottawa each Saturday at 9 a.m. (9:30 a.m. NT.) on CBC Radio One.

According to a note from Jennifer McGuire, “We heard from many people who are still working on pitches for Newsworld Primetime. So, we have decided to extend the deadline for those proposals to the end of [this] week. Send them to newsrenewal@cbc.ca no later than Friday February 20″

The meeting was held to update staff on the ongoing process.

Todd Spencer the Executive Director of News Content, said he sees breaking news being feed directly into Newsworld and cbc.ca. “Online and Newsworld will be the first place we break news,”  Spencer said.

There are also big changes envisioned at The National. Jonathan Whitten the executive producer, said The National will be extended to seven nights a week. Sunday and Saturday Report will be absorbed into the new format. These changes will not take effect for the better part of a year.

The project will also bolster World Report. The show will have more daily editions, and will add another weekend edition.

There were no layoffs or cutbacks announced as part of the project.

Jennifer McGuire, the interim publisher of CBC News, and who spearheaded the meeting yesterday said it was called to share and reveal “what we think is the best strategic direction for CBC News… It’s not about revealing the end stage,” McGuire said, it’s “to share our thinking, to fully engage in this process as it moves forward.”

So what do you think? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Video will pause for a bit at start. Surprise happens after Coyne’s comments.

Saying it’s moving to fulfill a commitment to local newsgathering announced nationally last year, CBC News will be doubling the number of newsgathering resources in Alberta by adding approximately 25 new assignments for television journalists based in Calgary and Edmonton to focus on local and national stories originating in Alberta.

At the same time, however, the CBC said it would move to Toronto the two hours of programming for CBC Newsworld, which are currently being produced in Calgary.

Actually, no, the CBC didn’t actually say it would “move” the programming from Calgary. The news release actually said it would “reconfigure to Toronto.” Wha?! “Reconfiguring” is the new corp-speak for “move?”

I guess it’s the same as executives not being able to ever say a show was “cancelled,” when, in fact, it was. The closest they seem to come up with is “Moved off the schedule.”

Really, who the hell is writing this stuff?!

A Toronto viewer who goes by the name qsharp spotted this unusual caption on CBC Newsworld. I suppose sometimes words just aren’t enough…

I notice that hours after the story broke, we were still displaying the Breaking News banner on our coverage — even when no new information was available and all we were doing was resetting the story at the top and bottom of the clocks.

Compare that to cbcnews.ca which has moved on from Breaking News to Developing Story — a slug that seems more accurate.

Back in the day, “breaking news” meant literally that — we had JUST broke into our regular programming to bring people urgent information. Nowadays, especially on the American cable news networks, that “breaking news” banner can last all day on the same story.

Have we lost touch with what Breaking News means? Or do you think it’s a good idea to leave that slug there on important stories?

But, for the first time in this country, Canadians had their own dedicated 24-hour news channel. Designed for “on-the-go viewers,” Newsworld offered frequent news updates and magazine style programming.

The network had an exhilarating if not perfect debut as shown in this television report from CBC Archives.

In short, there are a number of new channels who want to be in the basic-cable lineup. And those that are there, including CBC Newsworld, would like to stay put, thankyouverymuch.

The feds are preparing to rewrite the list of channels included with basic cable, in preparation for the switch to digital in 2010, a move that could open the door for a number of new channels, but threatens to shut out others if they are unable to argue for their continued inclusion on cable’s A-list.

 

New channels looking to break in include Canada One TV, which emphasizes multicultural programming; the Métis Michif Television Network; The Accessible Channel, all in described video; and All Points Bulletin, about public service and law enforcement.

 

If successful, the new channels will reach some eight million Canadian homes and make millions in subscription fees paid by cable and satellite operators. The Métis channel is looking to charge $0.15 per monthly subscriber, for example, while Canada One, a venture backed by broadcast exec Paul de Silva and producers Alfons Adetuyi and Amos Adetuyi, among others, is seeking a hefty $0.50.

The Commission is also considering a change of ownership at The Documentary Channel, in which CBC will take over control of the channel from Corus Entertainment.

It will be replaced Monday with a full hour of regionally produced news programming, but only the main CBC TV network. Each show will be locally hosted and produced. Newsworld will launch a new international newscast called Around the World, followed by a half hour of CBC News: Today.

Consumers of television news looking for obvious signs of bias should listen for the subtle sounds of propaganda in the music played during nightly newscasts, new research shows.
     Carleton University’s James Deaville studied the background music used by CBC Newsworld and CNN in the news coverage following the 9/11 attacks, and found a decidedly more gentle sound north of the border.
     ”It had a martial component, but it moved towards a softer sound,” the music professor said in an interview.
     ”I think CNN was both trying to play on the tragedy and the fear, to say that this isn’t over yet and it’s an ongoing thing.
     ”It had a strong tone of revenge in the music. With the CBC, you just didn’t get that. Maybe it was too Canadian. It wasn’t advocating a rash response. It was an attempt to step back.”

• Best News Information Series: the fifth estate

• Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series: This Hour Has 22 Minutes)
• Best History Documentary Program: Breaking Point
• Best Biography Documentary Program: Braindamadj’d…Take II (CBC Newsworld)
• Best Talk Series: The Hour
• Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series: The Morgan Waters Show
• Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series: Street Cents
• Best Host or Interviewer in a General/Human Interest or Talk Program or
  Series: George Stroumboulopoulos, The Hour

• Best Music, Variety Program or Series: Songwriters’ Circle
• Best Picture Editing in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or
  Series: Rick Mercer Report

Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program or Sportscast: Ron MacLean, CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada

Full awards list here.

]]> http://www.insidethecbc.com/cbc-leading-in-early-gemini-awards/feed/ 2 http://www.insidethecbc.com/canadas-next-top-model-interviewer/ http://www.insidethecbc.com/canadas-next-top-model-interviewer/#comments Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:47:04 +0000 Paul Gorbould http://www.insidethecbc.com/platforms/newsworld/canadas-next-top-model-interviewer/ Anyone want to fly around the world, talk to interesting and sexy people, and become famous? Thought not.

Oh, wait, you do? OK then, hie thee to CBC Halifax for tomorrow’s auditions in the Fashion File Host Hunt.

After 17 years, Fashion File host Tim Blanks is stepping down, and the person to step up will be decided via reality TV.

Job description:

• - travelling the world covering fashion
• - interviewing top designers and models
• - writing a column for Fashion Magazine
• - making the season’s fashions accessible to a broad audience

However, “enjoys ogling beautiful people” won’t cut it. You’ll need fashion knowledge, journalism skills, a good resume and (preferably) a video reel. But you’ve got until Oct. 9 to put those together.

If you can’t make it to Halifax, the Host Hunt will be in Montreal Sept. 29 & 30, Calgary Oct., Vancouver Oct. 4 & 5 and Toronto Oct. 10, 11 & 12. Check the site for details.

]]> http://www.insidethecbc.com/canadas-next-top-model-interviewer/feed/ 0 http://www.insidethecbc.com/setting-the-record-straight/ http://www.insidethecbc.com/setting-the-record-straight/#comments Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:27:51 +0000 author http://www.insidethecbc.com/2006/08/08/setting-the-record-straight/ Although CTV and Global may dispute this, turns out more Canadians watch The National every night than any other national newscast. How is that possible, you ask, since ratings show The National so much lower? It’s because Global and CTV focus compare their single main-channel broadcast against the edition of The National that competes with them (e.g. CBC 10pm vs CTV 11pm vs Global 5:30pm.) The problem with their math is that The National is aired over three or four broadcasts on CBC TV and Newsworld. When you compare all airings of The National against all airings of the competitors, you realize The National simply has more viewers each night. Now you know.

]]> http://www.insidethecbc.com/setting-the-record-straight/feed/ 0 http://www.insidethecbc.com/middle-east-crisis-the-national-is-1-newscast/ http://www.insidethecbc.com/middle-east-crisis-the-national-is-1-newscast/#comments Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:16:34 +0000 author http://www.insidethecbc.com/2006/08/08/middle-east-crisis-the-national-is-1-newscast/

Although it will take a while to get precise audience numbers for all of CBC’s services, there are definite signs that Canadians have been turning to CBC News during this middle-east crisis.
     Newsworld audiences have been unusually strong throughout the day and evening, and audience feedback to the CBC’s work on CBC Radio and CBC News Online has been exceptional.
     Last Thursday evening (the latest day for which we have audience numbers), The National attracted 1,260,000 viewers on CBC Television and Newsworld — considerably more than its competition (Global National with 952,000 viewers and CTV National News on CTV and Newsnet with 780,000).
     As an aside, a special accomplishment for The National last week, was its series of unprecedented programs from the Arctic. Anchored by Peter Mansbridge and featuring a small CBC News team led by executive producer Jon Whitten aboard the icebreaker Louis S. St. Laurent, these were the first live national television newscasts broadcast ever from the Arctic. “[The shows] dealt with two issues — climate change and arctic sovereignty — that matter a lot to Canadians,” said CBC news chief Tony Burman. “Proof of that was evident throughout the week with very high audience numbers.”
     Some other numbers:

• CBC Radio is number one in many Canadian markets
• CBC Newsworld is Canada’s top-rated television news network
• CBC.ca is Canada’s top-rated news web site
• The National is Canada’s leading national newscast.

One more thing. Is it just me, or is Tony Burman Bill Kurtis‘ long-long twin brother?

All-staff email from Tony Burman

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