The award-winning investigative news program 16X9 has not been renewed for another season, Global News announced Tuesday.
The program has won and been nominated for dozens of prestigious awards since its debut in 2008. That long list includes dozens of RTDNA awards, a Bronze World Medal at the 2015 New York Festivals awards, and the prestigious Beyond Borders award among countless others.
One of those nominations was for 16X9 groundbreaking investigation into the RCMP’s readiness to deal with active shooter investigations. 16X9’s explosive investigation Under Fire explored the Moncton RCMP shootings and whether officers were ready for the call.
The RCMP pleaded not guilty to four Labour Code charges stemming from the June 2014 shooting rampage last month. The charges followed an investigation into whether the Mounties had the proper equipment and training to deal with active shooter situations.
16X9 also explored the world of dementia and how every hour approximately 900 people are diagnosed with the disease.
“Over its eight seasons, 16X9, broke ground editorially and visually – winning countless awards and international recognition,” Troy Reeb, the senior vice president of News, Radio and Station Operations for Corus Entertainment said.
Reeb described the cancellation of the show as “difficult.”
“The program, and its team, has made lasting contributions to the field of investigative journalism, and we are committed to continuing to invest in this area by establishing a new, network investigations unit to work with local teams across all platforms, including radio,” Reeb said.
The new multi-platform unit will focus on original, enterprise investigations. It will be closely integrated with the network’s flagship newscast, Global National with Dawna Friesen, as well as local newscasts, Globalnews.ca and Corus radio stations.
Carolyn Jarvis, the current host of 16X9, will join the new team as its Chief Investigative Correspondent. Jarvis is currently on maternity leave.
Liza Fromer’s The Morning Show contract won’t be renewed
Global News also announced that The Morning Show host Liza Fromer’s contract would not be renewed after it expires at the end of June. Fromer was a key figure on The Morning Show since its inception in 2011 and her role, along with a number of others across the Global News network, has been impacted as a result of the changing and highly competitive media landscape in Canada.
Global News was a part of Shaw Media, which was acquired by Corus Entertainment in January in a $2.65 billion deal. The combined company oversees 45 specialty television channels, 15 local television stations, 39 radio stations, and a host of digital properties including Globalnews.ca.