The hosts of Canada AM kept the mood upbeat on Friday as the show aired for the last time, just a day after CTV announced the demise of “Canada’s most-watched national morning newsmagazine.”
Co-hosts Beverly Thomson, Marci Ien and Jeff Hutcheson sat together as the show began, smiles on their faces as they briefly acknowledged the show was ending after 43 years and expressing love for fans before getting straight into the day’s headlines.
The final show included photo and video montages from their memorable moments on Canada AM, which offered a blend of news and lifestyle headlines as well as interviews with stars and newsmakers.
“As you are aware, CTV has announced that after 43 seasons, this is our last episode, today,” said Hutcheson.
“Since the show started in September 1972, ‘Canada AM’ has been a part of your morning and we have sincerely loved our time with you,” said Ien before a montage of show photos played.
Thomson then asked fans to share their memories of the show on social media before Ien said: “Now, as we have done every morning, we’re going to turn to today’s top stories.”
Fans expressed shock Thursday after CTV made the announcement that the show was abruptly ending, while observers said the move reflected a shifting media landscape.
The network said a replacement show would be announced next week.
CTV said Thomson and Ien would continue to stay with Bell Media while Hutcheson will begin his previously announced retirement.
Thomson will move to CTV News Channel while Ien will develop new projects with Bell Media In-House Productions.
Until a new show is announced and goes on the air, a simulcast of live CTV News Channel programming will run in the Canada AM timeslot, beginning Monday.
The flagship morning program helped launch the broadcasting careers of Pamela Wallin, Valerie Pringle and Seamus O’Regan, among others.
Thomson, Ien and Hutcheson appeared at ease on Friday, with Hutcheson having some fun as he delivered the weather at the green screen.
“I’m going to do the weather the way people really want to do the weather,” he said, saying “you’re welcome” to cities getting sun that day and apologizing to those getting rain.
BNN reporter Michael Kane, who delivered the show’s business stories from a different location, reminisced about working with them.
“It’s absolutely been an honour,” he said.
Said Ien, to fans: “We can’t tell you how much we appreciate your well wishes.”
