4 anchors/reporters in 3 markets all for 1 news show.
The brand new version of The National on CBC will debut on November 6 with Adrienne Arsenault and Ian Hanomansing in Toronto; Rosemary Barton in Ottawa; and Andrew Chang in Vancouver.
The breakdown is 2 mostly anchors and 2 mostly reporters; 2 men and 2 women; 2 visible minorities. Depending on how you break it down, 2 who seem to belong and 2 of a surprise. Let's meet the new anchors/reporters:
Adrienne Arsenault — The CBC easily could have come away with a single anchor in Arsenault. A long-time reporter with a great track record, Arsenault will almost seem like a reporter in the anchor chair, especially if the new format allows for the anchor to ask questions of the reporters.
Rosemary Barton — Her position at Power & Politics appeared to take her out of the running. Having an Ottawa anchor/reporter is a bold and strong choice. Barton hasn't looked strong when filling in on The National. The fact that Barton will have to give up the show feels like a stronger hole to fill than the Ottawa seat on The National. If the program uses Barton to her natural abilities and instincts, her role should be a plus. The less true anchoring she'll do, the better.
Andrew Chang — Chang is more anchor than reporter. He currently anchors the supper edition of the local CBC Vancouver News at 6. Chang is also familiar with Montreal having spent a decade there, eventually being the local anchor there. If the others are in the field, Chang could be left to anchor by himself. Most importantly, Chang will be based in Vancouver where Canadians out west will get a fresher newscast than the one that starts at 6 pm local time.
Ian Hanomansing — The CBC created the idea of having a Vancouver anchor and gave the long-time Vancouver resident a move to Toronto. Hanomansing begged for a relatively cheap apartment in Toronto during the introduction. That got a good reaction from the assembled crowd. If there were only one anchor, Hanomansing would get the call. He has been anchoring on the CBC News Network most recently.
The CBC had tipped the hat that Wendy Mesley wasn't going to be in the mix. The public broadcaster recently announced that Mesley would host a live Sunday morning program on CBC and CBC News Network on the intersection of media, technology, and politics. That program is scheduled for early 2018. CBC used to do news on Sunday mornings but that has been a long time now.
Even with 4 hosts, chances are they will only anchor Monday-Thursday. Mesley and/or Andrew Nichols might still get the lion's share of the weekend (Friday-Sunday) duties.
Peter Mansbridge to leave CBC News after Canada Day
The CBC will have 4 anchors but someone has to step up to anchor election coverage, Remembrance Day, Canada Day, and other similar events. If Hanomansing ends up as that person, then why not make him the primary anchor.
CTV and Global made leaps to have female anchors the last time those networks were in that circumstance. No fancy announcement. CTV stayed in-house; Global hired someone from NBC News.
Look at how CBC replaced Jian Ghomeshi on Q. Shad felt like an interim solution but having Tom Power replace Shad was easier than replacing Ghomeshi. Replacing Peter Mansbridge would be tough. Taking out an anchor or two in a 4-person setup will be a lot easier.
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When ABC had a 3-anchor team, Frank Reynolds in New York was still the primary anchor. Max Robinson did part of the telecast from Chicago and Peter Jennings anchored some of the time in London. ABC eventually figured out that Jennings was the best choice, though that choice was stepped up with the failing health of Reynolds.
Will these anchors rotate week to week; day-to-day; take part of the hour? November 6 is only the beginning of the answer. There are still plenty of questions.
photo credit: Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
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