TORONTO – Hours after Citytv announced that it was cutting news shows and staff, local news channel CP24 trumpeted the arrival of two new early evening news shows for its viewers in the Greater Toronto Area.
“Toronto deserves a 5 p.m. local newscast,” said station VP and GM Bob McLaughlin, in a statement. “CP24 now gives our viewers a chance to watch at home or listen in the car from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. LIVE AT 5 and LIVE AT 5:30 is all part of our ongoing commitment to give Torontonians the news when they want it.”
CP24’s lead anchor Ann Rohmer anchored Tuesday night’s inaugural CP24 LIVE AT 5 newscast, while Melissa Grelo helmed CP24 LIVE AT 5:30.
Citytv Toronto and CP24, once siblings in the Citytv family, have competed fiercely for viewers in the southern Ontario area since Rogers purchased the Citytv chain from CTVglobemedia in 2007. The CRTC ordered CTVglobemedia to sell some of the Citytv stations because of concerns about concentration of ownership.
