The SRC announced its intention to expand coverage of local and regional news after the CRTC approves Google’s exemption under the Online News Act. Approval will see Google pay $100 million a year and the funds will be distributed to news publishers.

CBC News will add up to 25 journalists in more than a dozen communities underserved by broadcast media and will focus on Western Canada. It is also part of a commitment to fill a gap in communities without a CBC/Radio-Canada presence.

The CBC says the new positions will complement its strategy to reach more Canadians through free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels and offer local and breaking news on CBC’s Gem and News apps.

The broadcaster now offers 24/7 local news channels in Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, Windsor, Ottawa, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and in the North. These channels join existing national channels in British Columbia and Toronto.

Atlantic Canadians will also benefit from four new late-night television shows for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. These programs will air nightly at 11:00 p.m. AT/11:30 p.m. NT on CBC TV, Gem and regional streaming channels.

Podcast fans also have access to four new daily local podcasts from CBC, including This is Vancouver, This is Manitoba, This is Toronto and This is Nova Scotia.

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