Rogers Media announced on May 30th 2011 that it would launch a 24-hour all news television specialty channel, to becalled CityNews Channel. It would feature Toronto news originating with 680 News, Maclean’s Magazine and Citytv.
It had been announced in December 2010 that Rogers Media’s application for an all news channel was approved by the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC). The 24-hour news channel licence was granted to serve the city of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including Peel, York, Durham and Halton.
On September 6th, announced that CityNews Channelwould launch October 3, offering a news ‘wheel’ format with traffic and weather together on the :1s, sports at :15 and :45, and business at :26 and :56 past the hour, all in a multi-zone TV screen. Anchored by rotating hosts on an hourly basis, the channel would include tie ins via live cameras with other Rogers Media newsrooms such as CityNews, 680News, Sportsnet, Maclean’s, MoneySense, Today’s Parent and HELLO! Canada, pand would also simulcast Citytv shows such as Breakfast Television, CityNews at Five, CityNews at Six, and CityNews Tonight.
In addition, CityNews Channel would broadcast live across television, online at CityNews.ca, mobile with the CityNews iPhone app, and tablet with an iPad app, plus offer exclusive features such as map views of local news as it happens, detailed weather pages and local weather sticks.
On May 30th 2013, Rogers Media today announced that it was closing down its CityNews Channel.
“Today, we made changes to the company’s television strategy to reflect evolving viewer habits and the global structural shift in advertising,” said Rogers Broadcasting president Scott Moore, in a statement. “Moving forward, we will focus our broadcast news resources in Toronto on 680News and costs,” added Moore.
The company made no announcement regarding its plans for the slot in the channel lineup.
Ownership: Rogers Media
Start Year: 2011 to 2013