CBC Montreal to offer expanded weekend news services as part of local service improvement strategy

MONTREAL, Feb. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - CBC Montreal will expand its weekend news offering beginning May, 2012, giving English-speaking audiences throughout Quebec the benefits of local service improvements launched as part of CBC's strategic plan "Everyone, Every way." 

The new television and expanded radio presence will serve the local needs of those in Montreal and throughout Quebec, says Pia Marquard, CBC Quebec managing director. "We're building on our considerable existing strengths to deepen our connection with all of the communities we serve. And, with our already expanded on-line news presence, our audience will now be able to access their local CBC news on all platforms - radio, television and on-line - on weekends" she adds.

"This is another step in the evolution of an already exceptional news service," says Jennifer McGuire, general manager and editor-in-chief of CBC News. "We will be providing more news seven days a week, providing audiences with the information they want, when they want it and on the platform of their choice. We'll have more specific scheduling information for our audiences as we get closer to launch." 

"We're delighted about taking this next step in our plan to deepen our relationship with more Canadians, and the communities they live in, with this expansion of local news in Montreal," says Kirstine Stewart, Executive Vice-President of CBC English Services.  "Canadians tell us that local service is what they want, and it's our job to meet that need through expanding the kinds of programs we offer and reflecting communities across the country as they continue to change and grow.  We know there are millions of Canadians who now live in areas which we aren't serving locally, or aren't serving enough. Our objective is to address that over the next four years."

Marquard notes that approximately 6 million Canadians live in large population centres that are either un-served or underserved by CBC; the public broadcaster's strategic plan is aimed at reaching these Canadians with new or expanded local services over the next four years. 

"The expansion of local service in Quebec will mean that programming is targeted specifically to communities and their diverse needs, servicing our audiences with news, weather and other information that is relevant to their circumstances and place, accenting local issues and bringing perspective on national issues in news coverage," Marquard adds.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences.

Debbie Hynes
Communications Manager, CBC Quebec
Phone: [phone]
Cell: 514-951-5527
Email: [email protected]