Another busy week for local media. It became official today that CITY-TV vet Laura DiBattista will be fronting the always insightful Here and Now on CBC Radio 1 starting January 3rd. DiBattista, who was axed from her longtime home at CITY as part of Rogers cutbacks back in January, is said to be excited for the new opportunity. The following is the press from CBC.
Well known Toronto broadcaster Laura DiBattista takes the mic at CBC Radio One Toronto's popular afternoon drive show Here and Now, effective January 3. DiBattista promises to bring new energy and excitement to a show that Torontonians have come to rely on for all of their end-of-day news, weather and updates.
"Radio is an intimate, personal and portable medium," said Susan Marjetti, managing director of CBC Toronto. "Laura will be a great strength. Listeners will find her to be a strong journalist who is passionate about the city and persuasive in her knowledge of good health and better living."
A broadcaster and on-air personality in Toronto since 1983, DiBattista is an award-winning journalist who can be counted on to help audiences find out all they need to know to stay informed in the city of Toronto.
"I'm thrilled to be the host of Here and Now. I absolutely love Toronto and I'm a lifelong resident of the city," says DiBattista. "I look forward to connecting with the city and talking about the big news stories of the day, as well as exploring the culture and diversity of Toronto."
Here and Now is CBC Radio One Toronto's popular afternoon drive program that keeps Torontonians informed and entertained weekdays from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. With a roster of guests and regular contributors, Here and Now offers a fresh take on what's happening that day in Toronto as well as regular updates on traffic, weather and news from the local, national, and international scene.
Meanwhile, we're sad to announce that another CITY mainstay has found a new home. Back home. Word says today that weather pro, Michael Kuss will be heading back west where he's from to join BC's CTV. Like Laura, he also starts at his new digs January 3rd. Kuss is one of the main reasons why CITY put so much money into their weather bits in the past few years and maybe the reason why the station has become the best for breaking weather news. He's been with the station since 2006. Here's the write-up from CTY.
Vancouver, BC (December 16, 2010) – CTV British Columbia announced today that Meteorologist Michael Kuss is joining recently announced anchors Mike Killeen and Tamara Taggart on the new CTV NEWS AT SIX broadcast team. The B.C. native joins the team for their first broadcast on Monday, January 3, 2011.
“My family and I are overjoyed to be coming home to what is really a dream job for me,” said Kuss. “I look forward to forecasting and reporting some of the most challenging and variable weather in the country to CTV British Columbia viewers.”
“Michael is one of the best meteorologists in the country and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to British Columbia,” said Tom Haberstroh, Vice-President and General Manager, CTV British Columbia. “Together with Mike, Tamara, and Perry, we have a formidable team that bodes well for the future.”
Originally from Saanich on Vancouver Island, Kuss has worked for most of the major networks in Canada including The Weather Network and most recently at Citytv in Toronto.
