CBC today announced Chris Howden as the new co-host of CBC Radio’s acclaimed national current affairs show, AS IT HAPPENS, alongside award-winning journalist and host, Carol Off. Howden will assume his new role with the show on Monday January 6, 2020. Listeners may already be familiar with Howden’s voice as a fill-in host and behind-the-scenes writer for the show. AS IT HAPPENS broadcasts weekdays at 6:30 p.m. (7 NT) nationwide on CBC Radio One and via the free CBC Listen app for iOS and Android devices, and online at cbc.ca/listen.
“As the show’s writer, Chris has done so much to create the distinct voice and attitude of the program. Now he can literally bring that voice into the studio and deliver the scripts he’s crafted so well,” said Cathy Perry, Senior Director of Programming, Network Talk. “Chris will bring another viewpoint to the show, helping to connect with more Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast through his unique perspective on contemporary issues and the news of the day.”
“I listened to AS IT HAPPENS every night growing up,” said Howden. “It is unbelievable that I’ll be in the same chair that Alan Maitland, Barbara Budd, and Jeff Douglas sat in. Not literally…it’s a different chair. Regardless, I am proud and grateful to join that illustrious group, and thrilled to be working with my friend and hero, Carol Off.”
Together, Off and Howden will continue to bring listeners the stories behind the news of the day and voices from around the world, as the show has been doing for more than 50 years.
“As our writer, Chris has already shown us the world through his unique lens,” said Off. “Human folly is gently mocked; the absurd is exposed to the light of day; the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Now he will bring his humour, wit and insight to the airwaves as my co-host. AS IT HAPPENS is blessed.”
Howden started at AS IT HAPPENS in 2003. He’s worked as a producer and director and has been the show’s writer for the past 10 years. He’s been responsible, among other things, for carrying on the show’s tradition of puns. Over his career with CBC Radio, Howden has also contributed to Sounds Like Canada, This Morning, and hosted the documentary show, Living Out Loud. He grew up in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and now lives in Toronto with his family.
AS IT HAPPENS first premiered on CBC Radio One on November 18, 1968, offering a simple but effective format that was a twist on the traditional call-in show: a call out show, where the hosts would interview people across the country and around the world.
Former co-host Jeff Douglas left the program in May 2019 to host Mainstreet, the CBC Radio One afternoon show in his home province of Nova Scotia.
