The Woodbine Entertainment Group has made its employees aware that, effective December 22, 2008, HPItv will no longer use Toronto-based studio hosts.
HPItv has traditionally utilized three hosts on a rotational basis. Since Host Seirge LeBlanc left the department in late September, HPItv has operated without hosts two days and two nights a week.
According to WEG, the company has recently been using two hosts instead of three. In light of the change, program producers increased the use of source audio from the incoming simulcast tracks whenever possible. WEG believes that the experiment has been a successful variation on the traditional method of programming the mix channel.
Chad Rozema, who is currently an HPItv host, will move into the WEG television general commentator ranks. Rozema will be replacing Chris Connor, who recently moved back to his home province of New Brunswick. Rozema will have a role on the standardbred broadcasts seen coast to coast on The Score Television Network. He will also provide commentary on both standardbred and thoroughbred simulcasts.
Dawn Lupul will be finishing her contracted term of employment as HPItv host at year's end. She will continue on a contractual basis contributing to Pro Picks and providing her handicapping insights via her blog on the track's website.
(With files from WEG)