TORONTO – Rogers Media has parted ways with top original programming production executive Carol Commisso, whose resume includes This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Young Drunk Punk, the broadcaster confirmed Friday to Cartt.ca.
A company spokesperson said Commisso is no longer with Rogers Media. Her departure is part of the wider company restructuring unveiled at the end of January. At the time, the TV, radio, digital and magazine publishing company talked about trimming around 200 jobs, or 4% of its workforce.
The cost-cutting at Rogers Media, thought to be a response to a soft advertising market and competition from new digital players like Netflix Canada, has yet to run its full course.
"We are evaluating all areas of the business and expect the restructuring to be completed by early this summer," the spokesperson said in a statement.
Included in Rogers' latest round of cuts was the recent departure of Gord Cutler, senior vice-president of production for NHL games. Cutler's duties for Sportsnet’s live sports coverage and studio production have moved over to Rob Corte, vice-president of Sportsnet and NHL production.
Commisso's credits at Rogers included chucklers like Seed and Sunnyside.
She joined Rogers Media after leaving the CBC in 2010 as executive in charge of comedy production. At the pubcaster, Commisso's credits included The Ron James Show and Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town.
Her departure from Rogers Media also coincides with the broadcaster putting more of its programming dollars into its Toronto production studio run in partnership with Vice Media, and the new Viceland 24 hour cable channel.
