London, Ontario — CBC London has launched a local station including new radio and digital services that will provide additional news and information to London and the surrounding area as part of CBC’s ongoing expansion in southwestern Ontario. Launched today, the new station will serve the needs of approximately 475,000 Canadians in the region.

The CBC London station will include a new local morning radio show weekdays from 6-8:37 a.m., hosted by Rebecca Zandbergen, which launched on CBC Radio One today and will focus on what matters in and around London. The station will also become the new home to popular weekday afternoon radio show Afternoon Drive from 4 to 6 p.m., which moves from Windsor to London on June 12 and will be hosted by Chris dela Torre. The afternoon show will serve Windsor and London, and all points in between.

CBC London is a digital-first station, delivering stories, photos, videos and information to the smartphones of Canadians, on social media and online. From June 12 onward, the London news team will deliver breaking news and stories about the community throughout the day and into the evening that can be accessed online and through the CBC News app for Android and iPhone. Local radio shows will also be streamed on the CBC Radio app for Android and iPhone.

“CBC is committed to expanding our connection and relationships in the communities that make up this country,” said Fred Mattocks, general manager, CBC Local Services. “We look forward to delivering relevant local news and information on issues as part of our conversation with this community and strengthening our ability to serve as a platform for people in the region to be heard and to speak to each other.”

“We want to tell the stories that matter most to those who live and work in London and southwestern Ontario, and serve as a touch point to inform, engage and reflect the community,” said Marissa Nelson, senior managing director for local services in Ontario. “We plan to broadcast live from locations in the community, and host events in and around London where we will have an opportunity to dig deeper into the issues Londoners care about.”

Establishing a stronger presence for CBC in southwestern Ontario is one of the priorities announced by the public broadcaster as part of the Budget 2016 reinvestment in CBC/Radio-Canada, and another step towards achieving the goals set out in Strategy 2020: A space for us all.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. We are Canada’s trusted source of news, information and Canadian entertainment. Deeply rooted in communities all across the country, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also provide international news and information from a uniquely Canadian perspective. In 2017, CBC/Radio-Canada will be at the heart of the celebrations and conversations with special 2017-themed multiplatform programming and events across Canada.

For further information, contact:
Nicola Makoway
Publicist, CBC Radio
nicola.makoway@cbc.ca
416-205-7673