CBC News has announced plans to launch a free 24-hour streaming channel as it makes changes to the anchor lineup at its flagship program, “The National.”
The hourlong news program, which airs at 10 p.m. local time across Canada (10:30 in Newfoundland), will be anchored by Adrienne Arsenault Mondays through Thursdays and Ian Hanomansing on Fridays and Sundays.
The news release said Arsenault will continue to report and anchor from the field as she steps into the role of chief correspondent. Meanwhile, Hanomansing has also been named the permanent host of “Cross-Country Checkup,” a Sunday afternoon call-in talk show on CBC Radio One and the CBC News Network subscription TV channel.
The change, which begins this fall, removes Andrew Chang from the anchor rotation at “The National.” The news release says he’ll host a show that will be the centerpiece of the new streaming channel, which will offer “the best of CBC local, national and current affairs journalism.”
Content on the new streaming channel will also include “The National,” which currently streams live from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Central time as it is broadcast in each time zone.
A spokesperson told NorthPine.com that an international version of the streaming channel is being developed, meaning it will likely be available to U.S. viewers. (CBC News Network is restricted to Canada).
“The National” had moved to a rotation of four hosts after longtime anchor Peter Mansbridge retired in 2017. The fourth host was Rosemary Barton, who is no longer a main anchor but still appears on the program to host political panel discussions and also hosts the Sunday morning show “Rosemary Barton Live.”