Newsworld will morph into the CBC News Network (the CNN of Canada, if you will) and the Corpse's flagship TV news show, The National, will get a makeover (faster pace, same journalism, says Peter M.).
The wide-ranging programming changes for different news shows and the new look for The National were unveiled yesterday in a splashy presentation. Many details, such as anchor Evan Solomon's and correspondent Mark Kelley's new weeknight cable-news shows, have already been made public. But yesterday the entire, revamped lineup – starting Monday – was officially announced.
The overhaul “is the largest and most far-reaching reorganization of all aspects of our news service in the history of the CBC,” said Richard Stursberg, executive vice-president, English services. “We have rebuilt all of our internal work processes. We have changed all of our shows. We have changed every aspect of our shows, how we tell stories, who the hosts are, how the stats look, what the pacing is, what the meaning of it is.”
Practically, The National will have a new set, and news anchor Peter Mansbridge will now be standing instead of sitting. There will also be an emphasis on CBC's correspondents, including regular segments featuring Wendy Mesley “seeking answers to the provocative questions of the day,” according to a promotional write-up about the change. The National will also be seven days a week, with a rotation of different weekend hosts. New online and mobile versions of the broadcast will be available earlier in the evening.
On CBC Newsworld, to be called the CBC News Network beginning Monday, Solomon's and Kelley's new shows will anchor the evening schedule. On CBC Radio One, veteran foreign correspondent Peter Armstrong will be the new host of World Report .
CBC top brass wouldn't give a dollar figure for the overhaul, despite the large, physical restructuring of the news operation, with a new central assignment desk now located on the fourth floor of the Toronto broadcasting centre.
The reorganization, which will become apparent Monday, is the result of a three-year research project instigated by CBC management in response to consumer demands for more news at all times from diverse sources and on a variety of platforms (TV, radio, Internet and mobile applications) Richard Stursberg, executive vice-president of CBC English services, said at a flashy afternoon presentation at the corporation's Toronto headquarters.
"We have rebuilt internal work processes and reimagined all our news programs," he said. "More than 1,000 people have been reassigned, and all programs and sets rebuilt from the ground up.
"This is the most sweeping reorganization in CBC history."
CBC Newsworld will now be known as CBC NN (News Network) and will focus on breaking news, while The National "will end the day with a more nuanced reflection on events," Stursberg added.
I'm amused that some found it newsworthy to mention that the CBC.ca video player will allow one to build a customized news lineup. I would note that the CTV.ca video console has allowed users to do this for years.
The Star article noted that while The National will now be on seven days per week, it will run at 6 p.m. on Saturdays to avoid conflicting with you-know-what.
From the CBC.ca story:
CBC News Network also has a new look and changes to its daytime news schedule. Included in the new look is the use of banners that can show local weather or a sneak peek of upcoming stories.
Three high-profile new programs are to be launched:
- The Lang & O'Leary Exchange, a business program running Monday to Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., hosted by Amanda Lang and Kevin O'Leary.
- Power & Politics, a political program running Monday to Friday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosted by Evan Solomon.
- Connect with Mark Kelley, where Kelley is to be joined by Reshmi Nair to host a news talk show Monday to Friday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The news renewal process has been going on for two years and responds to research into what Canadians think of CBC and its news coverage, said Jennifer McGuire, general manager and editor in chief of CBC News.
Among the concerns these changes are meant to address is a request by viewers and listeners for more transparency in the news-gathering process.
This will result in a new approach to news reporting, McGuire said.
"We will be telling Canadians how we know what we know and what we don't know about any story," she said.
"For example, when we put up the Robert Fowler story on The National, we included a line about CBC's journalistic position on dealing with kidnapping."
Fowler is the Canadian diplomat who spent four months as a hostage of al-Qaeda, and CBC rules on reporting hostage situations are sensitive because of the kidnapping earlier this year of CBC correspondent (Melissa) Fung.
A few other changes:
- CBC Radio's World Report will now start at 5 a.m. weekdays (6 a.m. on Saturday)
- CBCNews.ca will start a new politics portal on Monday. Two marquee names will be Kady O'Malley, late of Maclean's, and retired CBC News broadcaster Don Newman.
- The National will end with a 10-minute local newscast