Michael Melling became the new head of CTV News in January, replacing Wendy Freeman. Six months later, he fired the chief anchor, even though the news wasn’t public until Lisa LaFlamme issued her own statement. Bell Media said “changing viewer habits” spurred another “business decision” that no one is immune from in corporate broadcasting.
Breaking news: 11 minutes later
The new main face of CTV’s national newscast attracted a ratio for tweeting how he’s honoured to be following in the footsteps of Lisa LaFlamme and Lloyd Robertson—the latter of whom got a retirement ceremony in 2011. The hasty announcement about Omar Sachedina included on-camera appearances that seemed awkward and awkwarder.
“Toronto CNE organizers worry safety inspectors’ strike could deter attendance.” The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is questioning the claim that managers are sufficiently inspecting rides at the Canadian National Exhibition. The strike is clouding the CNE’s return after a break, with few signals of the re-imagination John Tory wished for.
Rolling without any way to pay
Bicycle sharing had a rocky start in Toronto as the original Bixi system landed in financial straits within two years. Now, a more electric future is foreshadowed as part of the Toronto Parking Authority expanding the program. But the complexity of executing a one-off rental was highlighted by a visiting power balladeer:
Kate Bush couldn’t crack the Canadian pop radio top 40. “Running Up That Hill” recently claimed top-five spin status on U.S. stations in the wake of Stranger Things exposure. But it’s not played on the Virgin Radio stations that dominate the format in this country. The track peaked at No. 2 on the Canadian Hot 100 due to streaming—one notch higher than America.
Finally, more wrestling via Vice
Tales from the Territories is an upcoming docuseries that has producer Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson overseeing stories of the wrestling circuits on which his own late father, Rocky, got his start. The future of Vice Media remains in flux, but its TV division has its Canadian studio making shows about dark sides while looking for the financial light: