The Week That Was In Worldwide Media - October 19, 2025


On this week's edition on "The Week That Was In Worldwide Media", we breakdown the upcoming retirement of a legendary TV news anchor in Kamloops, Apple signing a streaming deal with Formula One, and the announcement of next year's Ontario Curling Championships broadcasting on Cogeco's YourTV!


Here's the breakdown of the top 3 stories of what happened this week in worldwide media:


Story #1: Bill O'Donovan will retire in January 2026 after an impressive 50-year broadcasting career

It's the end of an era for TV news viewers in Kamloops, as Citytv affiliate CFJC-TV/Kamloops, BC announced that longtime anchor Bill O'Donovan will retire on January 2, 2026, after an impressive 50-year broadcasting career.

A proud native of 150 Mile House, O’Donovan began his first stint with the station in 1979, joining Earl Seitz in the station’s sports department.

He and his wife Audry moved to CKCK-TV in 1986, spending 15 years in the Saskatchewan capital.

He returned to CFJC-TV in 2001, taking over as the station’s lead anchor for the midday and evening newscasts.

His career in broadcasting has garnered a long list of awards and honours, including RTDNA Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

O’Donovan plans to stay in Kamloops and spend more time with his seven grandchildren. He also plans to continue on as public address announcer for Kamloops Blazers home games.

It is unknown when a replacement for O'Donovan has yet to be decided.


Story #2: Apple strikes a streaming deal with Formula One

Apple announced on Friday that it has struck a exclusive streaming deal with Formula One starting in 2026, ending a 7-year relationship with ESPN.

The Worldwide Leader in Sports had been the partner since 2018 but decided not to extend its deal.

The tech giant has been collaborating with F1 on "F1: The Movie", which has become a huge success.

The partnership will bring F1 to Apple TV, with select races and practice sessions available for free.

The tech giant said it plans to expand F1's reach across its platforms, including Apple News and Apple Music.

This move aims to grow F1's popularity in the United States.


Story #3: Next year's Ontario Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships will have an early date due to the Winter Olympics

The 2026 Ontario Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships will be held in early January, due to the Winter Olympics taking place in Italy's Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

It will be the 2nd of a 4-year deal that Cogeco will broadcast full event coverage, but it will also be available on the Super Sports Pak on most cable providers in Ontario.

The 2026 Ontario Curling Championships will be held in Elmira from January 4th to 11th.


My observations for the week ahead

World Series coverage begins October 24th on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+

The 2025-26 Toronto Raptors season tips off October 22nd on Sportsnet One and also on Sportsnet+

As mentioned in my special bulletin back on August 25th, all 4 WildBrain linear TV channels in Canada will cease transmission after October 22nd, according to SaskTel.


And that concludes this edition of "The Week That Was In Worldwide Media", come back next week where we'll recap the top stories that happened in worldwide media!

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