TORONTO – Fresh off its recent regulatory win allowing longer-form programming instead of a straight wheel of news, CTV Newsnet has announced its first full hour show.
Countdown: With Mike Duffy is back. CTV Newsnet announced Friday it has added the popular and timely series to its prime-time schedule. Unlike its previous incarnation in which the series aired as a prelude to last year’s Federal Election, CTV Newsnet confirmed that Countdown: With Mike Duffy will be a permanent addition to the line-up.
Each live, one-hour program will air weeknights at 8 p.m. ET, repeating at 11 p.m. ET, beginning Monday, May 16. It’s the first significant change to the CTV Newsnet line-up since the April 7th decision by the CRTC to amend its licence.
“CTV’s veteran journalist and political specialist Mike Duffy will bring viewers the controversial guests, behind-the-scenes stories, water cooler discussions and hot topics that can’t be found anywhere else. Countdown: With Mike Duffy will be the program of record when the country embarks on an election campaign, and will continue to count down the events of the day beyond a vote.,” says the press release.
"In addition to our constant commitment to breaking news the second it happens in Canada and around the world, CTV Newsnet is proud to offer viewers this live and aggressive probe of the day’s events," said Derwyn Smith, vice-president, CTV Newsnet.
"There are very few people covering the Hill right now that have Mike Duffy’s experience and perspective," said executive producer Jana Juginovic.
"His ability to connect with viewers is what sets him apart from the rest of the pack."
The hour-long live broadcast of Countdown: With Mike Duffy will feature panels consisting of newsmakers, opinion shapers, top political strategists, the country’s most respected journalists, pollsters, celebrity guests and more. Viewers will be treated to segments outside the norm of standard news broadcasting including The Insider with Globe and Mail columnist, Jane Taber, bringing a hit of the day’s political gossip.
During last year’s five-week run that began in May 2004, Countdown: with Mike Duffy was a success, more than tripling the Network’s average prime audience (Source: Nielsen).
