Breakfast Television in Vancouver and Calgary cancelled
TORONTO — Without providing specific numbers, Rogers Sports and Media confirmed to Cartt.ca this afternoon a “small percentage” of employees across the country are being laid off and the local Breakfast Television morning shows in Vancouver and Calgary, in their current form, have been cancelled.
“In early 2021, we will be expanding the Breakfast Television brand and a new BT will air on Citytv in 6 markets across the country: Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal. In addition, there are some programming changes at select radio stations across the country; listeners will continue to hear local news and the stations will continue to support community events,” wrote Andrea Goldstein, senior director of communications for Rogers Sports and Media, in an email.
Goldstein said Rogers will share details on the new Breakfast Television show in the coming weeks. She wouldn’t say if it would be a national show (or a hybrid national show with local elements, a format the company experimented with in the Vancouver and Calgary markets earlier this year).
Speaking about changes in general at Rogers Sports and Media, Goldstein said: “We are modernizing our business to position us for growth as we face the continued effects of a seismic shift in the media industry from traditional to digital and the challenges of the global pandemic. These changes allow us to prioritize our focus in areas where we have the assets and capabilities to deliver best-in-class multiplatform experiences.”
“Decisions like this are never easy, particularly as they are not a reflection of the enormous talent, dedication, and passion displayed by the team members leaving the company,” she added.
