The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / CKVR Has Opening For An 11 PM Anchor

**Posted by RadioActive** May 28, 2025 10:37 pm

According to a listing on Broadcast Dialogue, CTV 2 (aka CKVR,) is looking for an 11 PM anchor. But because it's a small market, the applicant will also be asked to do some reporting and videography. A knowledge of the area is also required.

So who left to create this opening? And does Channel 3 still offer an extensive newscast? I have to admit I haven't seen a VR newscast in years. But it's a major stepping stone into Toronto and some of CFTO's current people came from there, so its a good opportunity to get noticed in the bigger city.

The final date for applications is June 9th.

Details here.

**Posted by mic'em** May 29, 2025 7:01 am

I can't recall the fellows name, he had been there for some years and did the Toy Mountain drive every Christmas. He gave an emotional farewell last Friday and said he was going to be a producer in Toronto, working behind the scenes , but didn't say where .

**Posted by RadioActive** May 29, 2025 7:05 am

Talk about a jack-of-all-trades. The job posting also says the successful applicant will not only anchor the 11 newscast, but do reporting, videography, editing, and even - when needed - the weather. I suppose if you're interested in learning the TV news biz inside and out, this is the perfect job for you. But it sounds like you'll be very busy.

**Posted by Glen Warren** May 29, 2025 7:21 am

The gentleman's name is Dana Roberts.

Here is the clip of his farewell message to viewers...

Last edited by Glen Warren (May 29, 2025 8:09 am)

**Posted by markow202** May 29, 2025 8:28 am

CKVR has been a opening to the Toronto market and beyond for newscasters for many years. Sadly Bell and their cuts dont have much going on anymore in Barrie. When I drive by the station there is just a few cars usually there under the massive tower.

**Posted by BowmanvilleBob** May 29, 2025 8:37 am

Anyone remember the days when Moses Z. and his merry minions owned the place? It was "The New VR" and local reporters were required to refer to locals as "VRlanders". The one and only time I tuned in, they were talking about the death of Canadian author Robertson Davies and the reporter described him as a "distinguished VRlander". I turned the channel and never went back.

**Posted by paterson1** May 29, 2025 8:55 am

Actually it was CHUM than owned the place and Moses ran it. CKVR, the new VR, etc was a decent station back in the day. Great local news, interesting programming, lots of local productions, and like City TV an attitude, but one fitting the lifestyle of Central Ontario.

**Posted by RadioActive** May 29, 2025 9:03 am

My problem with all that "New" branding was that it was kept in place for years - long after anything could still be called "New."

Also if you didn't know that the call letters were "CKVR," you'd have no idea what the branding meant.

Today, the New VR would undoubtedly be interpreted as "The New Virtual Reality."

**Posted by Shorty Wave** May 29, 2025 9:06 am

BowmanvilleBob wrote:
Anyone remember the days when Moses Z. and his merry minions owned the place? It was "The New VR" and local reporters were required to refer to locals as "VRlanders". The one and only time I tuned in, they were talking about the death of Canadian author Robertson Davies and the reporter described him as a "distinguished VRlander". I turned the channel and never went back.

But Moses Znaimer “got” branding, and it worked for CHUM when they rebranded a handful of stations across the country that they had acquired. Many of these stations were not doing that great before the rebrand and the result was that it made CHUM an enticing company for BCE to purchase with cross country coverage and recognition. CHUM did well in that deal!

**Posted by BowmanvilleBob** May 29, 2025 9:06 am

paterson1 wrote:
Actually it was CHUM than owned the place and Moses ran it. CKVR, the new VR, etc was a decent station back in the day. Great local news, interesting programming, lots of local productions, and like City TV an attitude, but one fitting the lifestyle of Central Ontario.

You mean like Home Boys in Outer Space?

**Posted by andysradio** May 29, 2025 9:57 am

I have to wonder how much a 11 PM newscast is needed now. I for one can’t make it till then. Also, is it, or will it be much different than the 6 PM cast? I would rather see them restore weekend newscasts.

**Posted by paterson1** May 29, 2025 10:03 am

Homeboys in Outer Space was not a local production. If you watched the station it very much did reflect life in cottage country with their local programming. CKVR was also one of the first to broadcast all night with classic TV shows, even prior to specialty television.

**Posted by RadioActive** May 29, 2025 11:36 am

paterson1 wrote:
CKVR was also one of the first to broadcast all night with classic TV shows, even prior to specialty television.

**Posted by ED1** May 29, 2025 1:06 pm

andysradio wrote:
I have to wonder how much a 11 PM newscast is needed now. I for one can’t make it till then. Also, is it, or will it be much different than the 6 PM cast? I would rather see them restore weekend newscasts.

They have to meet their programming requirements and the 11 PM does that. But I agree with you that maybe CKVR would be better served with weekend newscasts instead of rehashing the 6 PM news at 11 PM.

Surprised CTV hasn’t resorted to presenting CKVR’s 11 PM out of CFTO’s studios and have Zuraidah Alman read the Barrie news before the CFTO 11:30 News.

Last edited by ED1 (May 29, 2025 1:09 pm)

**Posted by haydenmatthews14** May 29, 2025 2:00 pm

ED1 wrote:
andysradio wrote:
I have to wonder how much a 11 PM newscast is needed now. I for one can’t make it till then. Also, is it, or will it be much different than the 6 PM cast? I would rather see them restore weekend newscasts.
They have to meet their programming requirements and the 11 PM does that. But I agree with you that maybe CKVR would be better served with weekend newscasts instead of rehashing the 6 PM news at 11 PM.

Surprised CTV hasn’t resorted to presenting CKVR’s 11 PM out of CFTO’s studios and have Zuraidah Alman read the Barrie news before the CFTO 11:30 News.

When Carlyle Fiset was off a few weeks ago they had Reta Ismail or Sean Irvine do the 6PM newscast and then they had Ricardo Veneza do the 11PM news from CTV Windsor. Yes CTV London’s 11PM newscast is a repeat of the news from the 6PM. Unless there is a new report from city hall or the OHL London Knights winning or losing a hockey game. I do wish weekend news was brought back for CTV London and CTV Kitchener. But CTV London’s weekend newscasts were a regional newscast shared along with CTV Windsor. It would been best to brand the regional newscast called “CTV News Southwestern Ontario” because it covered all of Southwestern Ontario.

Last edited by haydenmatthews14 (May 29, 2025 2:02 pm)