CBC Television announces changes to two daytime programs

    TORONTO, March 10 /CNW/ - CBC Television announced today that its daytime
lifestyles program Steven and Chris will go on hiatus next season. Production
of the program will continue until April 15, 2009. Another daytime program,
Fashion File, will conclude production on March 31, 2009 and will not return
to the schedule next season.
    "Regretfully, as a result of our current financial situation, we have had
to make the difficult decision that the show will be on hiatus next season,"
says Kirstine Layfield, executive director of network programming, CBC
Television. "This is no reflection on either the hosts or the program; the
show has seen increased viewership over the past year and Steven and Chris
have a terrific relationship with their live studio audiences; we very much
hope to continue to work with Steven and Chris in the future."
    "Similarly, our decision to conclude Fashion File has nothing to do with
the show or its host Adrian Mainella," Layfield says. "We intend to retain the
brand, which we co-own with Fashion Magazine, and hope to use it in other ways
across our various platforms. We'd like to thank Adrian and the entire
production team for their creativity, passion and commitment to Fashion File."
    After production is concluded, both Steven and Chris and Fashion File
will be broadcast in repeats and will form part of a new afternoon schedule,
announcements about which are expected in coming weeks.
    "We remain committed to factual programming and building a strong
afternoon schedule, but like every other media organization right now, we're
facing big challenges as a result of a significant drop in advertising
revenues," Layfield says. "We're not able at present to make the kind of
expenditures we ordinarily would. However, we will manage our way through this
difficult period. We want to thank everyone involved for their professionalism
and commitment."

For further information: Jeff Keay, media relations, [phone],
[e-mail]