Duo left Bell Media’s CP24 Breakfast in August
TORONTO — Two faces familiar to Toronto-area viewers of Bell Media’s CP24 Breakfast were announced today as the new morning show hosts at Rogers Sports and Media’s radio station 98.1 CHFI.
Former CP24 Breakfast co-host Pooja Handa (above, left) and news anchor Gurdeep Ahluwalia (above, right), who both left Bell Media this past August, will host the new show CHFI Mornings with Pooja & Gurdeep weekdays from 5-9 a.m. ET, starting Jan. 4, says a Rogers Sports and Media press release.
“Covering some of Toronto’s most glamourous red carpets to the biggest cultural events, along with the latest breaking news, Pooja is a highly respected broadcaster with nearly two decades of experience informing and entertaining television audiences across Toronto and the GTA,” reads the press release.
Handa “is passionate about mentoring young women in their career paths and has dedicated her time to many charities, most recently Muscular Dystrophy Canada,” the release says.
“I’m thrilled to have this amazing opportunity to join the CHFI family. It is such an institution in Toronto and comes with an incredible legacy that I’m honoured I will soon become a part of. While radio is something new for me, it’s so very exciting to be able to take on this adventure with my good friend Gurdeep, whom I’ve shared many mornings on TV with over the years,” Handa said, in the press release.
“I’m looking forward to getting behind the mic at CHFI to connect with new friends (and old ones too!) to help start their day with a smile. And, my parents can finally tell their friends that I’m employed again!”
Ahluwalia “is an accomplished local and national broadcaster, having more than 15 years of experience bringing Canadians major news and sports headlines. Supporting a number of charitable causes, Gurdeep has dedicated his time to such organizations as SickKids Hospital, Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer, Wellspring, Camp Ooch, motionball, and World Animal Protection. And, he’s dad to Coffee, his adorable cockapoo,” the release says.
“I first got the radio bug in university, so it’s surreal to get behind the mic again all these years later with my television partner in crime Pooja,” said Ahluwalia. “My first radio show was solo, so I guess I’m going to have to learn to be quiet sometimes. I’m also a Toronto guy (yes that means I’m a lifelong suffering Leafs fan), and I’m pumped to join an iconic station like CHFI with deep roots in this city and a passion for the people and places that make our home unique.
“It’s an honour to follow in the footsteps of some of Canada’s most legendary radio broadcasters, so I’ll try my darndest not to mess this up. Let’s go!” Ahluwalia said.
Handa and Ahluwalia “have earned a big following for their infectious and down-to-earth personalities,” said Troy Scott, content director for 98.1 CHFI and national content director of adult contemporary music brands at Rogers Sports and Media, in the release.
“They have a special quality together, where you’re left feeling like you’ve been friends with them as long as they’ve been friends, and for our CHFI family, that’s incredibly important to us. The new show will continue to feature the same great variety of music, news, weather and traffic, with Pooja and Gurdeep offering a fresh take to start the day, engaging audiences with daily multiplatform content,” Scott said.
Joining Handa and Ahluwalia on the new morning show are 98.1 CHFI news anchor Christine Cardoso and Blair Bartrem, who will serve as the show’s executive producer. Bartrem previously worked for 12 years as program director at Corus Entertainment’s Q107 rock station in Toronto, and more recently he led teams for Bell Media at Virgin Radio in Montreal as well as Pure Country and Bounce across Southwestern Ontario.
In addition to hosting CHFI Mornings with Pooja & Gurdeep, Handa and Ahluwalia will also appear each week on Citytv’s weekday morning show Breakfast Television, “where they will ‘spill the tea’ on the latest entertainment and new gossip with BT hosts Dina Pugliese and Sid Seixeiro,” the release says.
Ahead of the official start of their new morning show on Jan. 4, Handa and Ahluwalia will be featured during CHFI’s holiday music programming, starting Monday, Dec. 6.
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Photo supplied by Rogers Sports and Media. Photo credit: Jag Gundu.
