Global News Boosts Programming by Over 40 Hours a Week in Local Markets Across the Country

Global Toronto Launches News at Noon beginning Monday, August 27

Global News' National Newsmagazine 16x9 Moves to Primetime on Fridays

One-Hour, Primetime News Hour Final Kicks off at Global Saskatoon, Global Regina, and Global Winnipeg beginning Monday, August 20

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TORONTO, May 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Global News is giving Canadians more ways to stay informed on the day's top news this fall with the announcement of several new programs in local communities across the country. From the launch of Global Toronto's News at Noon, and the move of the newsmagazine program 16x9 to a weekday primetime slot, to the expansion of both morning and evening broadcasts in select markets, Global News is determined to serve communities from coast-to-coast with unparalleled news coverage and content.

"Last year Global News demonstrated its commitment to Canadian viewers by launching original local and national content that challenged the status quo," says Troy Reeb, Senior Vice-President, Global News and Station Operations. "With an additional 40 combined hours a week of programming in affiliate markets across the network this fall, coupled with the launch of a groundbreaking new approach to delivering news online, Global News is continuing to build its reputation as an unparalleled news powerhouse."

Beginning Monday, August 27, Global Toronto gives viewers another way to catch the day's top news with the launch of the News at Noon. This new program will move away from traditional newscast format to provide in-depth contextual analysis on the news of the day. The News at Noon will also focus on the lifestyle and community-focused stories of most importance to Torontonians. Global Toronto's News at Noon will air weekdays from 12-12:30pm ET. More details will be announced in the coming months.

Global News' dedication to becoming Canada's first choice for news expands this fall with the launch of a new, one-hour primetime newscast at Global Regina, Global Saskatoon, and Global Winnipeg. Dubbed News Hour Final, this new newscast will combine the half-hour Prime News and Evening News programs into one all-encompassing source for local and regional news, making News Hour Final the only one-hour primetime local newscasts in the country. News Hour Final launches in all three communities on Monday, August 20^th, and airs weekdays at 10pm CT.

Global News' award-winning newsmagazine 16x9 returns for a fifth season this fall with a new day and time: Fridays at 10pm. Moving to this new timeslot will allow 16x9 to showcase its brand of in-depth investigative journalism to primetime audience this fall. Led by Chief Correspondent Carolyn Jarvis, 16x9 is the recipient of several industry accolades, including a recent Gemini Award for Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Segment.

Meanwhile, Global BC, Global Calgary and Global Edmonton will see the expansion of their number one most watched morning news offerings with the creation of the one-hour Early Morning News. Launching Monday, August 27, from 5-6am PT/MT in all three markets, each Early Morning News program will provide all the news, weather and traffic information for extra early risers, while providing a perfect lead-in to the popular Morning News in each market. All three markets will also expand their Sunday Morning News casts by one hour beginning Sunday, September 2 at 7am PT/MT. Combined with new morning shows scheduled to begin at Global Montreal, and Global Maritimes, Global News will be launching new programming in every affiliate market this fall.

Global News is also creating the ultimate news experience with a set of tools that will redefine the way Canadians view, gather and share information and images online and through mobile devices. Key to this change is the complete re-invention of Global's online news portal GlobalNews.ca, using the latest technology in web design. Global News will circumvent the clunky, expensive and maintenance-heavy news apps favoured by many Canadian broadcasters to create its own 24-hour online digital news source that can be optimally viewed on any platform. This means that, unlike the competition, Global News' mobile presence won't be merely a text-heavy afterthought. GlobalNews.ca's new redesign is expected to launch early in 2013. Additional details regarding the rebrand and launch will be made available in the coming months.

Global Television is a Shaw Media network.

About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 20 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Television and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, NYSE - SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Nick Poirier
Publicist
Global News, Shaw Media
416-934-7049
[email protected]

Chris McDowall
Director of Publicity
Global Television, Shaw Media
416-967-3132
[email protected]