{
  "id": 2111929,
  "title": "Melissa Grelo departs ‘The Social’ as CTV daytime show becomes a video podcast",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/melissa-grelo-departs-the-social-as-ctv-daytime-show-becomes-a-video",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-19T21:10:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/08/19/melissa-grelo-departs-the-social-as-ctv-daytime-show-becomes-a-video-podcast/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "CTV's daytime series \"The Social\" is making a significant transition, shifting from its traditional format to a video podcast for its 14th season. Canadian broadcaster CTV announced on Wednesday that the popular show will rebrand as a digital podcast in 2026, filmed on the Toronto set but without the usual audience. Episodes will premiere live on YouTube at 1 p.m. ET, followed by a simultaneous broadcast on CTV at 2 p.m. ET.\n\nMelissa Grelo, who has hosted and moderated the show for 13 years, will be leaving the program to concentrate on her own health and wellness podcast, \"Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo.\" In a statement, Grelo expressed her gratitude to CTV for supporting her initial idea but believes the podcast offers her a direct connection to her audience and more control over the stories she shares. Co-hosts Jess Allen, Andrea Bain, and Cynthia Loyst will continue their roles with the show, which will also be available on Crave, iHeart.com, and the iHeartRadio Canada app.\n\nGrelo emphasized that \"The Social\" has been a privilege in her career, highlighting the bond formed with fellow female hosts over thirteen seasons of conversations and laughter. Executive producer Laura Scarfo announced that the transition to a video podcast will enable the show to reach both Canadian and international audiences across various platforms. The series is currently on hiatus, set to resume on September 9th under its new podcast format.",
  "summary": "\"The Social\" is saying goodbye to co-host Melissa Grelo and hello to the podcast era.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}