CBC last Friday announced journalist Travis Dhanraj will be the new host of CBC News Network’s daily prime time program Canada Tonight, starting in January.
This follows prior host Ginella Massa’s departure from the program during the summer.
Canada Tonight recently expanded to a two-hour format, airing from 7 to 9 p.m. ET on weeknights, “a longer format that will build on Dhanraj’s strengths,” says a CBC press release.
Born in Calgary, Dhanraj was previously a general assignment reporter for CBC Edmonton and CBC Toronto, before moving to Bell Media’s CP24 and CTV News. From there he went on to become Global News’ Queen’s Park bureau chief, before returning to CBC in 2021 as senior parliamentary reporter.
Most recently, Dhanraj was co-host of CBC’s investigative consumer affairs program Marketplace, where he “tackled the rising cost of living, the housing crisis, accessibility for people with disabilities and more,” the release says.
“Travis’s engaging curiosity and incredible range of experience allows him to translate complex stories into personal terms and help audiences make sense of the news, which will be key as Canada Tonight sharpens its focus on stories that matter at home and make a difference in this country,” Andree Lau, senior director of streaming and publishing at CBC News, said in the release.
“I am energized by the opportunity to join the incredible team at Canada Tonight,” Dhanraj said. “It’s never been more important to have real, unfiltered conversations about our country with a diverse range of voices. Helping to tell these stories and having these conversations is a privilege that I am grateful to continue doing on Canada Tonight.”
Lau added: “In addition, to extending Canada Tonight to two hours, we are also expanding our essential live and breaking news on CBC News Network on weekday afternoons and weekends led by a remarkable group of hosts who will help us better respond, reflect and report on what matters most to Canadians.”
CBC News Network has introduced a new afternoon show, co-hosted by Andrew Nichols from Toronto and Hannah Thibedeau in Ottawa, airing weekdays from 1-5 p.m. ET.
In addition, Marianne Dimain joined CBC News Network on Nov. 18 as morning host on Saturdays and Sundays, and she will also contribute to breaking news coverage on Morning Live, from Monday to Wednesday.
CBC News’ senior education reporter, Deana Sumanac-Johnson, is expanding her role by taking on CBC News Network hosting duties on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Photo of Travis Dhanraj courtesy of CBC.
