TRAVIS DHANRAJ NAMED NEW HOST OF CBC NEWS’ CANADA TONIGHT

CBC News Network expands live and breaking news programming with Hannah Thibedeau and Andrew Nichols co-hosting weekday afternoons at 1 p.m. ET, 

Marianne Dimain on weekend mornings starting at 6 a.m. ET, and Deana Sumanac-Johnson hosting weekend evenings 

CBC News today announced journalist Travis Dhanraj as the new host of CBC News’ daily prime time program, CANADA TONIGHT, on CBC Gem and CBC News Network. The show will continue to go beyond the headlines to bring context and diverse perspectives from across the country on top news stories that matter most to Canadians. CANADA TONIGHT recently expanded to two hours from 7 to 9 p.m. ET, a longer format that will build on Dhanraj’s strengths.

"Travis's engaging curiosity and incredible range of experience allows him to translate complex stories into personal terms and help audiences make sense of the news, which will be key as Canada Tonight sharpens its focus on stories that matter at home and make a difference in this country,” said Andree Lau, Senior Director of Streaming and Publishing, CBC News. “In addition to extending Canada Tonight to two hours, we are also expanding our essential live and breaking news on CBC News Network on weekday afternoons and weekends led by a remarkable group of hosts who will help us better respond, reflect and report on what matters most to Canadians.”

“I am energized by the opportunity to join the incredible team at Canada Tonight,” said Dhanraj. “It’s never been more important to have real, unfiltered conversations about our country with a diverse range of voices. Helping to tell these stories and having these conversations is a privilege that I am grateful to continue doing on Canada Tonight.”

Dhanraj will begin his role as host of CANADA TONIGHT WITH TRAVIS DHANRAJ in January 2024.

Born in Calgary, Dhanraj was a general assignment reporter for CBC Edmonton and CBC Toronto and then moved to CP24 and CTV News. He became the Queen’s Park bureau chief for Global News before returning to CBC in 2021 as senior parliamentary reporter. In his most recent role as co-host of CBC’s investigative consumer affairs program MARKETPLACE, Dhanraj tackled the rising cost of living, the housing crisis, accessibility for people with disabilities and more.

CBC News Network, the most watched Canadian news network, has further expanded its award-winning breaking and live news coverage with other recent programming shifts. This includes a new afternoon show, co-hosted by Andrew Nichols from Toronto and Hannah Thibedeau in Ottawa, weekdays from 1–5 p.m. ET. Together, they deliver a dynamic approach to unfolding stories, and bring context to the day’s breaking news, replacing THE RUNDOWN.

Weekend coverage on CBC News Network will also be enhanced with two new hosts. 

Marianne Dimain joins CBC News Network beginning November 18, as a morning host on Saturdays and Sundays. She will also contribute to breaking news coverage on MORNING LIVE Monday to Wednesdays.

Dimain brings a breadth of experience connecting with morning audiences. She previously worked at Global News Morning, Global News Toronto, Citytv/CP24, and CHCH News in Hamilton. 

Deana Sumanac-Johnson, CBC News’ senior education reporter, expands her role by taking on CBC News Network hosting duties on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Sumanac-Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in journalism, as a reporter, host and producer for CBC News.

*Photos available: Travis Dhanraj, Marianne Dimain and Deana Sumanac-Johnson.

CANADA TONIGHT is currently available to stream with interim guest hosts, on CBC Gem  and weeknights live at 7 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on CBC News Network. 

CBC News Network weekday live news programming: 

• 6 - 10 a.m. ET:        MORNING LIVE WITH HEATHER HISCOX

• 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET:    CBC Newsroom with Aarti Pole

• 1 - 5 p.m. ET:         CBC Newsroom co-hosted by Andrew Nichols and Hannah Thibedeau 

• 5 - 7 p.m. ET:         POWER AND POLITICS WITH DAVID COCHRANE 

• 7  - 9 p.m. ET:         CANADA TONIGHT 

• 9 - 10 p.m. ET:         THE NATIONAL with Adrienne Arsenault

CBC News Network Saturday live news programming:

• 6 - 11 a.m. ET:        CBC Newsroom with Marianne Dimain

• 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET:    CBC Newsroom with Natasha Fatah

• 4 - 11:30 p.m. ET:     CBC Newsroom with Deana Sumanac-Johnson 

CBC News Network Sunday live news programming:

• 6 - 10 a.m. ET:        CBC Newsroom with Marianne Dimain

• 10  a.m. - 12 p.m.:    ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE

• 12 - 4 p.m. ET:        CBC Newsroom with Natasha Fatah

• 8  - 9  p.m. ET:         CBC Newsroom with Deana Sumanac-Johnson 

• 9 - 10 p.m. ET:        THE NATIONAL with Ian Hanomansing

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Media Contact:
Frances Bedford, CBC PR
frances.bedford@cbc.ca
416-205-7673