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CP24 Breakfast
CP24 Breakfast
from Wikipedia
CP24 Breakfast
GenreNews/morning show
StarringBill Coulter, Jennifer Hsiung, Nick Dixon, Jee-Yun Lee
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production locations9 Channel Nine Court
Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario
Running time4 hours as of June 2024
Production companyBell Media
Original release
NetworkCP24
ReleaseMarch 26, 2009 (2009-03-26)
Related

CP24 Breakfast is a Canadian morning television news show that airs on CP24 (Toronto's 24-hour local television news service) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. as of June 2024.

The weekday edition is anchored by Nick Dixon and Jennifer Hsiung. Bill Coulter is the meteorologist, and Jee-Yun Lee is the remote and Live Eye Host. Various staff make transit and traffic announcements. The show formerly had a separate host position which was eliminated following the retirement of George Lagogianes.

History (2009–2019)

[edit]

CP24 Breakfast first aired on March 26, 2009, displacing the simulcast of Citytv Toronto's Breakfast Television, which is now owned by Rogers Media and had been airing on CP24 since its inception in 1998. On the same day of the launch, CTVglobemedia (now Bell Media) relaunched its Toronto-based oldies music radio station, 1050 CHUM, as a news/talk radio station CP24 Radio 1050 which the station operated primarily as a simulcast of CP24's television counterpart, which was later reverted to an all-sports radio format as TSN Radio 1050 as of April 2011. Prior to the launch of CP24 Breakfast, from February 2009, until March 25, 2009, CP24 had its own news inserts during commercial breaks on BT known as More On CP24 in which CP24 anchors would do extended morning news updates. Unofficially Citytv hosts had constantly referred to Breakfast Television being "only on Citytv, Cable 7" several months before CP24 launched its own new morning show.

The program debuted with Ann Rohmer as news anchor, Melissa Grelo and Matte Babel as co-hosts, live reporter Cam Wooley, weather specialist Nalini Sharma, and Bob Summers, Steve Anthony and Mika Midolo as part of the traffic team. Babel switched to the "Live Eye"[clarification needed] six months later before leaving in 2010, Anthony took his place as cohost. Rohmer exited the show in June 2010 and was later replaced by Lindsey Deluce. Sharma went on maternity leave in early 2012 and switched to the "Live Eye" upon returning a year later before leaving the show altogether in 2014. Bill Coulter joined the weather team in her place. Deluce took a maternity leave in mid-2012 and was temporarily replaced by Farah Nasser who herself went on maternity leave, six months later. George Lagogianes filled her spot throughout her second maternity leave beginning in the fall of 2014. Lindsey Deluce returned to CP24 in late 2015; however, she soon left to join CTV's sister station's new breakfast show Your Morning. Gurdeep Ahulwaila took over as Anchor following her departure.

On March 19, 2011, CP24 extended its morning show with the launch of CP24 Breakfast Weekend Edition, becoming the first station in Toronto to serve a morning show seven days a week. The program was initially hosted by Gurdeep Ahulwalia (later replaced by Nneka Elliott) and Pooja Handa (later replaced by Travis Dhanraj).[1][2]

In August 2011, CP24 extended its breakfast show to include Before Breakfast, initially the program was hosted by Lindsey Deluce, which airs weekdays from 5:00 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.[3][4] In the summer of 2023, the Before Breakfast program was moved to a 5:30 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. timeslot, it was discontinued one year later following the breakfast show's time-slot change to run from 6:00 am to 10:00 am.

Program changes (2019–present)

[edit]
CP24 Breakfast hosts (past and present) celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show with a special broadcast.
  • March 26, 2019 – CP24 Breakfast celebrated its 10th anniversary where all former hosts returned to celebrate the show.
  • September 2019 – Jamie Gutfreund announced he was moving to another position on CP24 and was leaving the CP24 Breakfast Weekend show, as well as the Live Eye host for the weekday show. He was replaced with Brandon Gonez from Your Morning.
  • March 2020 – Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic CP24 Breakfast suspended in-studio guests and host moved to socially distance while on the air. The weekend edition was also suspended and took on a similar format to the rest of CP24 daily programming.
    The hosts on the CP24 Breakfast Couch for a 2019 segment.
  • March 18, 2021 – Cam Woolley announced he would be retiring after 13 years on the morning show. During his time on CP24 Breakfast, he covered every major story in Toronto and was part of the original cast of. He officially retired on April 15, 2021. His final show was well celebrated, featuring many well wishers and messages from viewers and community figures. He was later replaced by Courtney Heels.
  • August 10, 2021 – Pooja Handa unexpectedly announced just 10 minutes before the ending of the day's show that it would be her last and she would be departing CP24 Breakfast after six years as host of the Weekday show. Her position was later removed and no replacement host was announced to fill the vacancy.
  • August 27, 2021 – Only weeks after Handa made a surprise departure, news anchor Gurdeep Ahluwalia also unexpectedly left the show, leaving in the same fashion, only making the announcement 10 minutes before the show ended. These departures are unusual, as most past departures have featured a fanfared show with many goodbye messages. The official social media accounts of CP24 and CP24 Breakfast failed to mention or post about either Ahluwalia or Handa's departures. It was announced that Nick Dixon would immediately take over as news anchor. It was later revealed that Handa and Ahluwalia would go on to launch their own Morning Radio show on 98.1 CHFI titled the "Pooja and Gurdeep Show"[5]
  • Summer 2022 – CP24 welcomed back regular appearances from in-studio guests and returned to more frequent Live Eye segments hosted by Jee-Yun Lee
  • December 13, 2022 – George Lagogianes announced he would be retiring from CP24 Breakfast after 36 years in Broadcasting. He joined CP24 Breakfast in 2014 while covering a maternity leave for Lindsey Deluce, following Steve Anthony's Departure in 2017 Lagogianes was promoted to Co-Host. His final show featured many CP24 Breakfast Alumni with video messages and tributes from Toronto Mayor John Tory and viewers of CP24 Breakfast.[6] A replacement for George Lagogianes has yet to be announced.
  • December 23, 2023 – Mika Midolo's last day at CP24 and CP24 Breakfast. Following her early 2022 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer diagnosis, she never returned on a regular basis to the breakfast program, but did make some appearances. Despite being the last remaining original host of CP24 Breakfast, she did not get the chance to directly say goodbye on-air to her fellow hosts nor audience. The weather and traffic hosts announced her departure in a short segment.[7]
  • November 25, 2024 - After over 15 years at 299 Queen Street West, the final edition of CP24 Breakfast to broadcast from this location aired. The hosts celebrated the memories and history of this building as they bid farewell. This move was announced earlier this year as Bell Media looks to group its news operations at one location. [8] As of November 26th, 2024 CP24 Breakfast and other CP24 programming began broadcasting from CTV studios in Scarborough.

Timeline of hosts

[edit]
Hosts Years
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Current hosts
Bill Coulter Weather Anchor
Nick Dixon News Anchor
Jennifer Hsiung News Anchor
Jee-Yun Lee Remote Live Eye Host
Former hosts
Ann Rohmer News Anchor
Matte Babel Host
Lindsey Deluce News Anchor
Melissa Grelo Host
Nalini Sharma Weather/Remove Live Eye Host
Steve Anthony Host
Cam Wooley Field Reporter
Jamie Gutfreund Remote Live Eye Host
Pooja Handa Host
Gurdeep Ahluwalia News Anchor
George Lagogianes Host
Mika Midola Transit Specialist

Set

[edit]

The CP24 studio is at 9 Channel Nine Court. The set and newsroom is home to CP24 Breakfast and most of the other CP24-produced programming.

Current presenters

[edit]
  • Hosts: Bill Coulter, Jennifer Hsiung and Nick Dixon
  • Remote host: Jee-Yun Lee
  • Reporter: Courtney Heels

Notable former presenters

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

2020: Nomination for "Best Morning Show" - Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television[9]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
CP24 Breakfast is a Canadian morning television news and information program that airs weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET on , Toronto's 24-hour local channel, delivering , live traffic updates, weather forecasts, and lifestyle features tailored to the (GTHA). Launched on March 26, 2009, by CTVglobemedia (now ), the show was introduced as a dedicated morning program to complement 's round-the-clock coverage, quickly establishing itself as a key source for commuters and early risers in the region. Over its history, CP24 Breakfast has evolved its format to include interactive segments, guest interviews, and on-location reporting, while maintaining a focus on timely local stories; it marked its 10th anniversary in 2019 with special broadcasts featuring former hosts. The program is consistently ranked as Toronto's most-watched local morning show across key demographics, offering a blend of hard and engaging discussions led by its on-air . Currently co-anchored by , who joined in 2016, and Jennifer Hsiung, it features meteorologist Bill Coulter for weather updates and traffic specialist Lisa Morales for real-time road reports, with additional contributions from remote reporters like Jee-Yun Lee.

Overview and Format

Launch and Premise

CP24 Breakfast premiered on March 26, 2009, as a direct replacement for the simulcast of Citytv Toronto's Breakfast Television that had previously aired on the CP24 channel. This launch marked CP24's full transition to independent local programming, severing the remaining ties to Citytv content following the 2007 acquisition of CHUM Limited by CTVglobemedia. The show's initial premise centered on delivering a weekday morning news and information program tailored to viewers, emphasizing timely , weather forecasts, traffic reports, and features in a fast-paced, engaging format. It aimed to serve as Toronto's primary source for morning updates, competing directly with established local broadcasts by offering a blend of hard news and practical daily information. Produced by at its initial studios on 299 Queen Street West in , the program sought to provide comprehensive coverage from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET, filling the early morning slot with dedicated local content. Production moved to 's Scarborough studios in November 2024. In 2011, Breakfast expanded to include weekend editions, broadening its reach beyond weekdays.

Broadcast Schedule and Content Segments

CP24 Breakfast airs weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, delivering a four-hour morning program focused on local information for the (GTHA). The show was later extended from its original 3½-hour format to its current length. A weekend edition broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, launched on March 19, 2011, to provide similar morning coverage on non-workdays. The program's structure emphasizes timely updates and viewer engagement through recurring segments. Local news updates cover breaking stories and developments across the GTHA, while weather forecasts provide detailed outlooks from meteorologist Bill Coulter. Traffic reports offer real-time insights into commutes, including transit and road conditions. Live interviews feature guests ranging from local experts to celebrities discussing current events, and community spotlights highlight viewer-submitted milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries via the dedicated Milestones segment. Health and lifestyle features explore topics like mental wellness, nutrition, and seasonal events, often with on-air demonstrations or expert advice. In summer 2024, the Before Breakfast pre-show, which previously aired from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., was discontinued, aligning the weekday start time directly with the main program at 6:00 a.m. Remote reporting enhances coverage through the Live Eye unit, enabling on-location segments from events, businesses, or community sites across the region.

History

Inception and Early Development (2009–2018)

CP24 Breakfast premiered on March 26, , replacing the simulcast of Citytv's on the channel. The initial weekday broadcast ran from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET, featuring as the news anchor, alongside co-hosts and Matte Babel, who focused on lifestyle and entertainment segments. Weather updates were provided by Nalini Sharma, and traffic reports by Mika Midolo, establishing the program as a comprehensive local morning news offering for the . In its first year, CP24 Breakfast quickly gained traction, attracting an average of 1.4 million weekly viewers in the and solidifying its role as the network's flagship morning program. Lindsey Deluce joined the team in June 2009 as a remote host and anchor, transitioning to regular contributions on the show by , where she handled news updates and on-location reporting. This period marked the program's early emphasis on live, community-oriented content to build viewer loyalty. The program expanded its reach with the launch of a weekend edition on March 19, 2011, airing Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. ET, hosted initially by Pooja Handa and Gurdeep Ahluwalia; this made the first station to provide dedicated weekend morning news coverage. Later that year, in August 2011, the weekday schedule was extended to begin at 5:00 a.m. with the addition of Before , a half-hour lead-in segment anchored by Lindsey Deluce, focusing on early headlines, , and traffic. These extensions broadened the program's accessibility and reinforced its position as a daily essential for commuters and early risers. Host transitions continued to shape the show's evolution, with Bill Coulter joining as meteorologist in 2011 after departing Global Toronto, and assuming a permanent role as the weather specialist by 2012. By the mid-2010s, CP24 Breakfast integrated more interactive features, such as live viewer phone-ins and shoutouts, allowing audience participation in segments on local events and traffic alerts. Viewership grew steadily, with the program leading local morning ratings; by , it outperformed competitors by 76% among adults 18-49 and 63% among 18-34s, and maintained a 24% advantage in key demographics through 2018. These developments highlighted the show's adaptation to audience demands for engaging, real-time local information during its formative decade.

Expansion and Recent Changes (2019–present)

In 2019, CP24 Breakfast celebrated its 10th anniversary on March 26 with a special broadcast featuring a packed roster of guests, including original team members such as , , , and Lindsey Deluce, alongside current hosts and Mayor . The milestone highlighted the program's evolution into Toronto's most-watched local morning show over the decade. The program faced significant operational challenges during the , prompting adjustments to maintain production safety. Key personnel changes began in 2021 with the retirement of veteran reporter Cam Woolley on April 15, after 13 years contributing traffic reports and on-air segments to the show. Later that summer, in August 2021, weekend co-hosts Pooja Handa and Gurdeep Ahluwalia departed within weeks of each other, concluding their roles after nearly a decade anchoring the . Further transitions occurred in subsequent years, with longtime sports anchor and co-host announcing his retirement on December 13, 2022, after 15 years at and a 36-year career across multiple networks; his final broadcast aired on December 29, 2022. In late 2023, weather specialist and reporter Mika Midolo left the station on December 23, ending a 24-year tenure that included 15 years focused on CP24 Breakfast segments. These departures reflected a period of personnel shifts amid broader industry changes at . By mid-2024, the program underwent structural updates to its format and facilities. In June 2024, expanded its weekday runtime to four hours, airing from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, which led to the discontinuation of the preceding "Before Breakfast" pre-dawn segment during the summer. This adjustment aligned with evolving viewer habits and streamlined the morning lineup. Concurrently, the show prepared for a major relocation, broadcasting its final episode from the long-standing studio at 299 Queen Street West on November 25, 2024, after 15 years at the site. Operations shifted the next day to Bell Media's consolidated facility at in Scarborough, introducing a new studio setup designed for enhanced production efficiency. Following the move, CP24 Breakfast has maintained operational stability into 2025, with no reported major format overhauls and a continued emphasis on core , , , and segments. The program now integrates more seamlessly with 's digital platforms, including and on-demand video, to reach audiences beyond traditional broadcast viewing.

On-Air Personnel

Current Hosts and Reporters

The weekday edition of CP24 Breakfast is co-anchored by and Jennifer Hsiung, who lead the broadcast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., delivering a mix of , , , and segments tailored to viewers. joined CP24 in June 2016, bringing over a decade of prior experience in anchoring and reporting from stations like CHCH and , where he covered major events such as the 9/11 aftermath and the earthquake. Jennifer Hsiung, who joined the network in 2020 after international stints at CGTN in , contributes her expertise in global affairs and entertainment to the morning show, enhancing its blend of local and broader coverage. Bill Coulter serves as the for CP24 Breakfast, providing daily forecasts, insights, and occasional contributions since joining in 2011. His segments emphasize hyper-local Toronto-area predictions, drawing on his background in to address urban impacts like and . Jee-Yun Lee handles remote reporting and Live Eye segments for the program, managing on-location updates, traffic reports, and event coverage as an anchor and reporter who joined in 2010. With extensive experience in and live broadcasts, she ensures real-time connectivity between studio anchors and field developments across the . Courtney Heels is a key reporter on the team, specializing in and feature stories since her arrival at CP24 in 2015. Her work includes on-the-ground coverage of significant local events, such as election results and public safety incidents, adding depth to the show's investigative elements. Lisa Morales provides traffic updates as the morning traffic specialist for Breakfast, delivering real-time road reports since joining in 2015. This ensemble's long tenures—spanning from 2011 to recent years—foster a stable on-air dynamic, rooted in deep knowledge of Toronto's communities, transit systems, and cultural nuances, which has helped solidify Breakfast as a reliable morning staple for local audiences.

Notable Former Presenters

was the original news anchor for Breakfast upon its launch in March 2009, drawing on her prior experience as the founding host of Citytv's to deliver authoritative updates during the show's early years. She remained in the role through , contributing to the program's establishment as a key morning news staple in the , before transitioning to other positions within the CP24 network amid multiple career shifts, including brief retirements. Melissa Grelo co-hosted Breakfast from its 2009 debut until around 2011, specializing in lifestyle and entertainment segments that added a vibrant, relatable tone to the broadcast. She departed to expand her national profile, notably as co-host and moderator of CTV's The Social starting in , while her early contributions helped shape the show's engaging mix of news and features. Matte Babel served as an early co-host from 2009 to 2012, focusing on entertainment and pop culture content that appealed to a younger audience during the program's formative period. His tenure ended as he shifted to production and on-air roles elsewhere, including with ET Canada, leaving a legacy of dynamic interviews and segments that broadened CP24 Breakfast's appeal. Among other notable contributors, Cam Woolley provided traffic and transit expertise as a reporter from the show's 2009 launch until his retirement in April 2021 after 13 years, offering practical daily guidance that became a viewer favorite for navigating Toronto's commute challenges. Pooja Handa, who joined as a co-host in 2011 for the weekend edition and later weekdays, left in August 2021 after 13 years to pursue radio opportunities, known for her warm delivery and community-focused reporting. co-hosted from 2018 until his retirement on December 29, 2022, following a 36-year career, where he brought humor and veteran insight to morning segments. Mika Midolo handled traffic reporting and weather updates on CP24 Breakfast for 15 years within her nearly 24-year stint at , departing at the end of December 2023 after overcoming health challenges including a diagnosis. The exits of these presenters over the years marked pivotal shifts in Breakfast's tone, from its energetic launch era to a more seasoned ensemble, fostering continuity and viewer loyalty through evolving casts that preserved the program's role as a trusted daily ritual.

Timeline of Key Hosting Changes

CP24 Breakfast launched on March 26, 2009, with original hosts as news anchor, , and Matte Babel. In 2010, Lindsey Deluce joined the program as a co-host following a brief period as a remote host starting in June 2009. In 2011, departed the weekday edition; the same year, established a weekend team anchored by Pooja Handa and Gurdeep Ahluwalia, with as remote host. In late 2011, Bill Coulter joined as the permanent for CP24 Breakfast. Ann Rohmer left the program in November 2015 after multiple stints, marking her final departure from . In 2021, joined the CP24 team as co-anchor. In November 2021, Jennifer Hsiung joined as co-anchor. In 2021, Cam Woolley retired in April after 13 years, while Pooja Handa and Gurdeep Ahluwalia exited in August for new opportunities at 98.1 CHFI. George Lagogianes retired in December 2022 after nearly 36 years in broadcasting. Mika Midolo departed at the end of December 2023 after 15 years as a reporter and weather specialist on . From 2024 to 2025, the hosting team has stabilized with no major changes, featuring co-anchors and Jennifer Hsiung alongside meteorologist Bill Coulter.

Production Aspects

Studio and Set Design

The CP24 Breakfast program originated from studios at 299 Queen Street West in , where it maintained an open-plan design conducive to dynamic morning broadcasting from its 2009 launch until November 25, 2024. This layout featured a central news desk for hosts and reporters, integrated with a dedicated weather presentation area utilizing a green screen for virtual graphics and forecasts. In late 2024, CP24 Breakfast relocated to a modernized studio at in , sharing facilities with operations and debuting the new space on November 26. The updated set emphasizes a bright, contemporary aesthetic with vibrant colors and an open, adaptable layout designed to energize early-morning viewers, incorporating enhanced LED walls for dynamic visuals and multiple camera angles to capture fluid on-air movement. This configuration supports integrated remote feeds and live contributions, accommodating guest interviews and demonstrations with dedicated spaces for props and interactions. The relocation to Bell Media's shared news hub has improved operational efficiency.

Technical and Operational Evolutions

CP24 Breakfast transitioned to high-definition broadcasting as part of the channel's broader technical upgrade on September 27, 2012, enhancing visual clarity for morning segments including news, weather, and traffic updates. The integration of social media platforms began in the early 2010s, allowing real-time viewer submissions for features like milestones and community stories, which are incorporated into live broadcasts to foster audience engagement. Digital expansions accelerated with the mobile app, launched to enable of the show alongside push notifications for , , and , providing viewers with on-demand access beyond traditional cable. By , enhancements to on-air graphics for and segments were introduced through a fully interactive digital platform, allowing customized hourly forecasts and real-time updates integrated into the show's production workflow. Following the studio relocation to Bell Media's Agincourt facility in Scarborough on November 26, 2024, operational protocols shifted toward hybrid remote and in-studio workflows, supporting flexible contributions from reporters while maintaining broadcast continuity.

Recognition

Awards and Nominations

CP24 Breakfast has received several nominations from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, recognizing its contributions to local morning news programming. In 2020, the show was nominated for Best Morning Show at the , highlighting its role as Toronto's primary source for breaking news, traffic, and weather updates. The program earned another nomination in 2025 for Best Talk or Entertainment News Series, affirming its ongoing impact in providing viewers across the Greater Toronto Area with relevant, live coverage of local events and community issues. These consistent recognitions reflect peer acclaim for CP24 Breakfast's innovative approach to morning news delivery and its strong community engagement, though the show has not secured major wins as of 2025.

References

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