ward-winning broadcaster Anna Maria Tremonti today announced that she will produce and host new original projects for CBC Podcasts, starting this fall with an in-depth one-on-one interview series. In order to focus on her podcasting ventures, Tremonti will step away as host of CBC Radio One’s THE CURRENT on June 21. The veteran journalist has been at the helm of the acclaimed weekday morning current affairs show since it was first introduced to CBC airwaves in November 2002, and was part of the team that developed and launched the show.
Debuting this fall, the original talk podcast will feature Tremonti sitting down with intriguing guests for one-on-one conversations that will illuminate, challenge and surprise listeners. The guests will range from the well-known, to those who audiences will want to know, in conversations that will take listeners on a fascinating deep dive. Tremonti also has a second CBC Podcast project in development, with details to be announced later this year. With over 20 million podcast downloads each month, CBC is the #1 podcaster in Canada.
“This move into podcasting will give me an opportunity to do what I love best and explore storytelling in an exciting new way. I’ve learned a lot about having meaningful conversations – and listening – over 17 seasons at The Current, but it is time for a new challenge,” said Tremonti. “I’ve been privileged to connect with remarkable people and audiences across Canada each day. We do a lot of serious deep journalism at The Current and it has been very fulfilling to have a smart and curious audience willing to be part of that. And I’m beyond grateful for the talented team of producers who’ve made it possible.”
“Anna Maria is an exceptional journalist,” said Susan Marjetti, Executive Director of CBC Radio and Audio, “Her ability to listen, to ask thoughtful and probing questions, her depth from years in the field, her empathy, and her award-winning journalism will continue to serve our audiences in podcasting. But she will be truly missed on radio. The search for a new host of The Current now begins.”
Prior to hosting THE CURRENT, Tremonti spent 19 years with CBC Television, including two years as a host of CBC News’ flagship investigative program THE FIFTH ESTATE and nine years as foreign correspondent for THE NATIONAL, based in Berlin, London, Jerusalem and Washington. Her assignments abroad included ongoing coverage of the war in Bosnia, the fall of communism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the politics of the Arab world, Europe and the United States. Prior to that, Anna Maria reported from Parliament Hill, and worked as a reporter in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta. She began her career in private radio, at CKEC in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
Tremonti and THE CURRENT have won numerous awards including the prestigious CJF (Canadian Journalism Foundation) Excellence in Journalism Award in 2012, an Amnesty International Canada Media Award (2012), three Gracie Awards (2011, 2014 and 2015), and several Gabriel Awards and RTDNA Awards, including the Adrienne Clarkson Diversity Award (2013), the Peter Gzowski Information Program Award (2009, 2011 & 2014) and the Gord Sinclair Live Special Events Award (2014). Tremonti and the program have also received numerous awards from the New York Festivals, including: Gold for Best News Documentary or Special (2013), Gold for Best Talk Special: Interview (2009), Silver for Best Newsmagazine (2013), Bronze for Best Talk Show Host (2008, 2014 and 2015), Bronze for Best Coverage, Breaking News (2015), and Bronze for Best News Documentary or Special (2014).
