THUNDER BAY and SUDBURY — CBC Thunder Bay and CBC Sudbury today announced Jonathan Pinto (pictured) is the new host of its Up North program, which airs weekday afternoons from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET on CBC Radio One. Pinto will assume hosting duties in early September.
Originally from Peterborough, Ont., Pinto brings a wealth of experience to his new role, including a multimedia approach to journalism and storytelling. His innate curiosity and unique conversation style allow him to connect with diverse audiences across various regions, says the news release. He replaces Waubgeshig Rice, who left the CBC to pursue other interests.
“I’m thrilled to join the fantastic teams at CBC Sudbury and CBC Thunder Bay as the host of Up North,” said Pinto, in the news release. “As a person who loves road trips, I’m excited to explore northern Ontario with family and friends, both old and new. I hope my unique approach will lead to interesting conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. I’m looking forward to sharing the stories that matter to my new community and being welcomed into listeners’ homes.”
“Jonathan is an adept storyteller, who will help us strengthen community connections, expand our audience, and drive coverage reflecting the diversity of northern Ontario, especially with our Indigenous communities,” said Fiona Christensen, executive producer of CBC Sudbury.
Pinto fell in love with CBC Radio at the age of 14 while listening to CBC Toronto’s Here and Now. He says he appreciated how the accents and stories reflected his own parents, who are from India. Over the last 10 years with CBC, he has worked in Toronto, Windsor and London, Ont., as a producer, reporter and guest host. He also has a masters degree in urban planning and a bachelor of arts in Canadian studies.
