CAB Announces Finalists for 2024 Gold Ribbon Awards
Winners of the prestigious Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) Gold Ribbon Awards will be announced throughout the day on Tuesday, November 7 at the CAB's Annual Convention in Vancouver.
The complete list of finalists is reproduced below.
The Gold Ribbon Awards honour achievement in broadcasting in various categories including community service, breaking news, humour, public affairs, and promotion of Canadian talent. The CAB received a record number of Gold Ribbon entries this year, with a total of 518 - an increase of more than 10% over 2024. All three sectors submitted a record number of entries, with Radio totaling 199 submissions, while TV and Specialty/Pay/Pay-per-view set new benchmarks of 166 and 153 entries respectively.
After reviewing the entries, the judges selected 152 finalists in 33 award categories.
"We are extremely pleased to see an incredible wealth of talent and commitment to excellence amongst our nominees," said Glenn O'Farrell, President and CEO of the CAB. "The strength of the field for this year's Gold Ribbon Awards once again demonstrates that Canada's private broadcasters are incomparably creative, with outstanding programming that entertains and informs Canadians, and connects them to their community."
"While this year's entries came from a remarkably varied range of markets, they share a common dedication to quality that is the hallmark of Canada's private broadcasters," said Brian Lewis, Chair of the Gold Ribbon Awards Judging Panel for the Television and Specialty/Pay/PPV services categories.
"We were pleased to see the exceptionally high level of achievement of the entries in all categories, and the commitment to community engagement of Canada's radio broadcasters in large, medium and small markets," said Toby Goodfellow, Chair of the Gold Ribbon Awards Judging Panel for Radio categories.
The CAB is also pleased to announce that this year's competition includes three new categories, to help celebrate the industry's commitment to diversity in broadcasting. Two categories were added for Radio members: Aboriginal Programming, to mirror the very successful Aboriginal Programming category created for our Television and Specialty and Pay members in 2024, and Diversity in News and Information Programming. The CAB will also present a Gold Ribbon Award for Diversity in News and Information Programming for Television and Specialty and Pay members.
The 2024 Radio Judging Panel met August 18, 19 and 20 to review entries received from CAB member stations. The Judging Panel members were: Toby Goodfellow (Chair), Standard Broadcasting (Montreal); Yves Bombardier, Corus Entertainment (Montreal); Michelle Butler Hallett, NewCap Radio (St. John's); Rick Holmes, The Pattison Broadcast Group (Vancouver); Shannon Kotylak, Rogers Broadcasting (Calgary); Jason Mann, Vista Radio (Duncan); Francis Morin, Gestion Apalaches (Victoriaville); Mike Occomore, Chum Limited (Toronto); Marie-Eve Poliquin, Astral (Montreal).
The 2024 Television and Specialty & Pay Judging Panel met August 26, 27 and 28 to review the entries received from CAB member stations. The Judging Panel members were: Brian Lewis (Chair), CTV Atlantic (NB/PEI); Maria Armstrong, Corus (Toronto); Guylaine Bachand, Groupe TVA Inc (Montreal); Mick Harpe, Channel M Television (Vancouver); Jacques Mathieu, Astral (Montr�al); Hugh Oliver, Global (Edmonton); Marni Shulman, Showcase Action, Alliance Atlantis (Toronto); Justin Stockman, CHUM (Toronto); Xavier Trudel, TQS Inc (CFJP-TV) (Montreal).
Viner to Receive Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is pleased to announce that Peter Viner, President and CEO of CanWest MediaWorks, will receive the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' 2024 Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence. Viner will accept private broadcasters' highest honour at the CAB 2024 Convention during the Gold Ribbon Awards Gala on Tuesday November 7, in Vancouver.
The award honours truly outstanding service to Canadian private broadcasting, and recognizes exceptional human qualities and practical, innovative achievements that reflect a genuine concern for the highest broadcasting standards.
Viner began his career in the broadcasting industry almost 40 years ago. He joined CanWest in 1974 as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Global Television. In 1980, he was appointed President of CKVU TV in Vancouver, where he dramatically transformed the station, rebranding it "UTV".
In 1993, Viner assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Network TEN in Australia, where he grew the network into a multi-billion dollar enterprise, positioning CanWest Global as one of Canada's most successful international media companies. In 1997, he was appointed President and CEO of CanWest Global, and in 1999 moved to the position of Vice-Chairman, where he played a key role in leading the company through the purchase of WIC's television assets - at the time, the largest transaction in Canadian broadcast history. In succeeding years, Viner held a number of senior positions within CanWest, where he continued to play an active role in shaping the course of the company.
In 2024, Viner was appointed to the position of President and CEO of CanWest MediaWorks.
"By every and any standard, Peter Viner is one of Canada's finest broadcast executives," said CAB President and CEO Glenn O'Farrell, in announcing the selection. "Peter combines formidable business acumen with outstanding people skills and a sharp wit. His enthusiasm, generosity, and leadership have contributed immensely to the success of CanWest both here and abroad, and to the Canadian broadcasting industry as a whole."
