|
CTV announced today that after 43 seasons, Canada AM will deliver its final headlines and interviews when its last episode airs tomorrow, Friday, June 3 from 6 – 9 a.m. ET. Since 1972, Canadians from across the country have awakened to the national morning show, with its blend of hard news and lifestyle stories, as well as in-depth interviews with top newsmakers, celebrities, and musical stars.
Bell Media also confirmed today that long time co-hosts Beverly Thomson and Marci Ien will remain with the company. Thomson moves to CTV News Channel while Ien will develop new projects with Bell Media In-House Productions. Jeff Hutcheson announced his retirement earlier this month.
CTV will announce a new program for the 6-9 a.m. timeslot next week. A simulcast of live CTV News Channel programming will air in the timeslot on CTV beginning Monday, June 6.
“As the television landscape continues to evolve, so too must our programming. We look forward to building upon the success of Canada AM as we move forward,” said Randy Lennox, President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media. “We invite viewers and fans to join us as we say goodbye tomorrow and acknowledge the lasting legacy this series and its talent – both now and in the past – have had on Canada’s broadcasting industry.”
“Over the past four decades, millions of Canadians have started their mornings with Canada AM,” said Nanci MacLean, Vice-President, Bell Media Production. “We say goodbye with great respect and with sincere appreciation to Bev, Marci, and Jeff, who have led Canada AM with such class, warmth, and wit.”
“We are incredibly thankful to our viewers from coast-to-coast-to-coast who have been with us on this journey and a heartfelt part of our TV family all these years,” said Co-Hosts Beverly Thomson and Marci Ien, and Weather and Sports Anchor Jeff Hutcheson. “We are extremely proud of Canada AM. It has been our privilege to be part of this historic Canadian series that brought us the opportunity to work with such an incredible team.”
In tribute to both the long-running program and their own participation on Canada AM, tomorrow’s final episode is dedicated to Thomson, Ien, and Hutcheson. Viewers can expect to see studio and location highlights, and clips of the historic moments that Canada AM has covered.
Online, the farewell dedication continues with commemorative photo timeline, and favourite memories on the Facebook page.
Canada AM has interviewed some of the most newsworthy individuals from within Canada and around the word over the past four decades. It has also aired live during some of the world’s biggest news stories through those years, bringing context to Canadians as they awoke to breaking news stories and began their day. Canada AM has also played a huge part in building the Canadian star system, introducing viewers to the most celebrated actors and talented artists from all walks of entertainment and showcasing hundreds of performers as part of the AM Sound Stage series.
Since its debut in 1972, Canada AM cultivated talent both behind the camera on in front – from Craig Oliver, the first producer when it launched in 1972, to former hosts and anchors including: Dennis McIntosh (Co-Host 1972-1973); Carole Taylor (Co-Host 1972-1973); Percy Saltzman (Meteorologist 1972-1974, Canada’s “first” weatherman); Helen Hutchinson (Co-Host 1973-1979); Pierre Pascal (Co-Host 1974); Elaine Callei (Co-Host 1974); Norm Perry (Co-Host 1974-1990 – longest serving male co-host); Wally Macht (News, Weather & Sports Anchor, 1977-1987); Gail Scott (Co-Host 1978-1981); Sandie Rinaldo (News Anchor 1980-1985); Pamela Wallin (Co-Host 1981- 1984 and 1991-1992); Ann Rohmer (Features Reporter 1984-1986); Linda MacLennan (Co-Host 1985-1987); Tom Clark (News Anchor 1986-1987); Nancy Wilson (Co-Host 1987-1988); Terrilyn Joe (News Anchor 1987-1991); Dan Matheson (Sports Anchor 1987-1995 and Co-Host 1995-2001); Deborah McGregor (Co-Host 1989-1991); J.D. Roberts (Co-Host 1990-1992); Thalia Assuras (News Anchor 1992-1993); Keith Morrison, Co-Host 1992-1995); Rod Black (Sports Anchor 1993-1997 and Co-Host 2024-02); Wei Chen (News Anchor 1993-1998); Valerie Pringle (Co-Host 1993-2001); Rob Faulds (Sports Anchor 1996-1998); Leslie Jones (News Anchor 1998-2002); Lisa LaFlamme (Co-Host 2024-2003); Seamus O’Regan (Co-Host 2024-2011); Omar Sachedina, Mi-Jung Lee, and Rena Heer (Co-Hosts CANADA AM Extended Version, 2024); and of course, the program’s current Weather and Sports Anchor, Jeff Hutcheson (1998- 2024), Marci Ien, who became Co-Host in 2024 after acting as News Anchor (2003-2011), and Co-Host Beverly Thomson, who joined the program in 2024. |
stupid bell
This is absolutely Canada shattering! I can only imagine that most viewers will feel exactly as I feel, which is completely BLINDSIDED! Shame on you CTV . I think the right thing to do would have been to announce your intents and allow the viewers to have some input on changes. This is one of the few programs that I truly enjoyed and I am not feeling warm to any changes or to be in any way supportive. It was bad enough that we had to adjust to Jeff leaving and now you have ripped the rest of the rug from under our feet. Not impressed. Not happy at all!!!!
I think you have completely under estimated how much people enjoyed this show. Canada AM has been a part of our day forever. It’s how we start each day. This is more than just a show , it was a daily regime . We as Canadians expect more respect than a 24 hour notice. Well take this notice from me, I will not be supporting CTV after this enormous blunder. Marcy and Beverly and Jeff thank you for being part of our lives for so many years. I guess it’s BBC for me. No respect for CTV
This is what happens when you put the Telephone company in charge of a Television Network. All the executive decision makers come from Bell. A utility company. No creativity, no vision, no pride in Canadian programming. After 43 years they pull the plug in one day and move on. I know that previous management/ownership who were actually broadcasters would have given this show a proper send off. Bell, laughable.