Wilder Weir
The 200 cuts announced in January at Rogers Media finally trickled down to the local level yesterday, and the company confirmed to me that Wilder Weir is one of them.
Weir, who pulled double duty as the “Live Eye” host on Breakfast Television and the host of weekly sports show Sportsnet Central Montreal, is “no longer with the company,” as corporate PR puts it.
Elias Makos, who does social media for Breakfast Television, will continue as host of Sportsnet Central Montreal, in addition to co-hosting Breakfast Television with Derick Fage while Joanne Vrakas is on maternity leave.
“Yesterday, some changes were made at Rogers Media that will help position the business for continued success and growth” is how Rogers PR’s Andrea Goldstein explained the decision.
Weir hasn’t posted anything on social media about his departure. He declined to comment when asked about it.
Weir was one of the first faces of City Montreal, hired in 2013 along with Alyson Lozoff to host the weekly sports show. (Lozoff lasted less than a year.) Among the seven day-one personalities at City Montreal’s two in-house local shows, three have since left and two more are on maternity leave.
Cuts also happened elsewhere at Rogers Media, particularly Sportsnet. Among the cuts are James Cybulski, Jamie Thomas and Hugh Burrill. They each commented on social media:
Hi everybody. Just wanted to let you know that I'm now a "free agent". Some restructuring means I'm no longer with Sportnset. (con't)
— Hugh Burrill (@hughwburrill) March 9, 2016
I'm am certainly not the best at what I do, but I've been fortunate enough to work with some people who are. (con't)
— Hugh Burrill (@hughwburrill) March 9, 2016
Want to thank everyone I've worked with over the past few years for an absolutely incredible experience. The job was great … (con't)
— Hugh Burrill (@hughwburrill) March 9, 2016
But the people were better. Thank you. Hopefully see you around soon.
— Hugh Burrill (@hughwburrill) March 9, 2016
I have been truly humbled by the kindness shown to me today. Had to double check to see if the remarks were really about me. (con't)
— Hugh Burrill (@hughwburrill) March 9, 2016
Just wanted to say thanks … so, thanks! Will take a few days to figure out what's next. In the meantime, this …https://t.co/jpohOzUYMn
— Hugh Burrill (@hughwburrill) March 9, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCx3EUMurpe/
To anyone who has and will send me kind words, thank you. @Sportsnet gave me my first hosting job for #Flames broadcasts. I got to (cont…)
— Jamie Thomas (@JamieThomasTV) March 10, 2016
Travel places I never would have gone to work with the best people and start new friendships. Anchoring Sportsnet Central was so fun (cont)
— Jamie Thomas (@JamieThomasTV) March 10, 2016
And it was not work it was just hanging out and talking to the viewers and my coworkers. I went to 3 Super Bowls and they gave me (cont)
— Jamie Thomas (@JamieThomasTV) March 10, 2016
The opportunity to follow my passion for football every day. So thank you @Sportsnet for the 9 years. It's a business and I get it (cont)
— Jamie Thomas (@JamieThomasTV) March 10, 2016
Finally, the people I worked with and for are the reason I will have another chance in this business. Now…back to football. #NFL #CFL
— Jamie Thomas (@JamieThomasTV) March 10, 2016
I’m also a former Rogers employee who was laid off due to “restructuring”. They basically can fire anyone they want at any time and call it “restructuring”. The Canadian government needs to crack down on this. Job security is nothing but an illusion when there are so many loopholes that a company can use to do whatever they like.
Define ‘crackdown’. This kind of language always spooks me.
Why should it scare you…Media giants want mergers, then they should an employment freeze, except for retirements, people leaving,etc but mass layoffs should be looked on and imposed on by CRTC…it is not the employees’ faults if a certain company overpaid for an asset and are now looking to save a few bucks and in the end, affecting their product..
but bean counters don’t realize that..
In other words, like the Bell Astral merger, Rogers having gotten bigger, the Shaw conglomerate, bigger is not necessarily better especially when run by suits and bean counters and not by real broadcasters like the Waters, Pouliots, Standard broadcast types.
media man..thanks for that! lol…lol..lol..having worked for 2 of the 3 mentioned dynasties..its no different to when a memo got put up on the wall at fort st telling you who was no longer allowed in the building..dude,it is business,accountants have no value for talent,and i watched many great talents with decades of experience leave the building when accountants deemed them too expensive! i wish Mr Weir well, but as long as accountants and managers think anyone can sit in the chair and get ratings..it will just continue..
Mark, I agree with you. Accountants are influencing who stays on air and who goes. Too bad. Good luck to Wilder.
Frank I must tell you that I still resent your departure from CTV and I change the channel whenever “whatshername” comes on! lol! Love seeing you on CBC!
This show is on a downward spiral. Please post television ratings for English Montreal. Curious to know who even watches these morning shows. Good Morning America and Today have far more content.
I’m a Montrealer thru and thru and have always tuned into our local stations. Global had a great morning show once with Tracy McKee, Andrew Poplawski et al and we lost IT. One of the French channels had a great morning show Cafe – ine and we lost that as well. I was consoled when BT came on the air in Montreal with the likes of our very own Alexandre Despatie and Wilder Weir and now they’re both gone. I guess like others I’ll have to go back to Canada AM (nothing wrong with them except they’re not LOCAL!) or GMA and sometimes Salut Bonjour.
They just cancelled Canada AM.
I know I heard. This is when I’m thankful that I live in both English and French but I feel bad for the uni-lingual Anglos who don’t have any choice.
Speaking of Canada AM Steve, will you be doing a blog or story on AM tragedy.
I hope the Gazette is not putting the kabosh on that.
My only take, besides their corporate BS contained in their press release, is it’s another cost cutting measure and probably bring in virtual unknown TV sophomores and lower on the bottom line.
Really unforunate about Wilder. I thought Joanne and Wilder had great chemistry, and I was actually surprised they let him go. Thought he was on holiday … Wilder looked like he enjoyed what he was doing. I’m not feeling the same vibe with the hosts you have now.
Rita
I absolutely agree with you one hundred percent Rita! Wilder was great at what he did and his engaging personality seemed to come naturally to him (not forced as with others!). Are “the powers that be” trying to cancel this once good morning show with the excuse oh well no one was watching? If so they’re doing a good job of it!
Wilder and Anne-Marie Whitenshaw would have been a great team!