Breakfast Television viewers were taken by surprise as hosts Meredith Shaw and Sid Seixeiro were abruptly let go from the popular morning program on CityTV. The announcement came on Monday when co-host Devo Brown addressed the audience, sharing, "We wish them the very best with what’s next." Both hosts had only been on the show together for about 16 months, following Shaw's 2023 entrance to replace long-time host Dina Pugliese.
Shaw quickly took to Instagram to express her feelings about the sudden change, stating, "Not gonna lie, this is hard." She continued her heartfelt message, thanking fans for their support: "Thank you for welcoming me to your homes & hearts. Cohosting @breakfasttelevision with @sid_seixeiro has been such an honour and I’m so proud of the television we have made." Shaw's emotional farewell included gratitude toward her fellow hosts and the viewers, highlighting her hope to resonate with them during her time on air.
Seixeiro also confirmed the news on social media, expressing, "Thanks for letting me enter your homes and for being so kind. Also, thank you to @Rogers for over 13 years of support. They allowed me incredible freedom on-air and I’m grateful." He shared his admiration for Shaw, calling her "driven" and acknowledging how she'd challenged him as a broadcaster, stating, "I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for her. She’s just getting started." This announcement marked the end of Seixeiro’s time on the show, which began for him back in 2021.
The decision to part ways with Shaw and Seixeiro followed Rogers' prior announcement about scrapping plans for another lifestyle show initially scheduled for last fall. They stated, "We’re invested in Breakfast Television’s success and leadership in Canadian morning television, and we’ll announce exciting new plans in the coming weeks. We have parted ways with Sid Seixeiro and Meredith Shaw. We thank them for sharing their passion and energy with audiences every morning and wish them both the very best," according to Rogers Sports & Media.
Fans were vocal on social media, expressing their disbelief and sadness over the decision. On Seixeiro’s post, comments reflected disappointment; one user remarked, "Sad day Sid – huge loss of you and Meredith at BT. Makes very little sense and won’t be watching again." Others echoed his sentiments, questioning why the change occurred. Under Shaw’s Instagram post, viewers demanded transparency from the network. One comment poignantly captured the emotions of many: "We need answers!!!! You and Sid are the reason I started watching BT!!! Such comfort to watch you guys every morning!"
The departures were characterized by affection from both hosts, who had invested their time and personality deeply during their brief partnership at Breakfast Television. Shaw’s farewell included lighthearted advice to viewers: "I hope every time you see a duck you’ll think of me cheering you on, telling you to go for it, to show up, to have a good time, bc I sure did."
Speculation surrounded the network's future programming as fans and insiders weighed the impact of this significant change. While some speculate about potential returning hosts, such as long-time TV figures like Pooja Handa and Gurdeep Ahluwalia, the network's plans remain ambiguous as they promise "exciting new plans" yet to be detailed.
Viewers are left pondering the future of Breakfast Television, which has been celebrated for its evolution over the past 35 years. The show's rich history has been marked by shifts and adaptations, all aimed at delivering the best morning experience to its viewers. The apparent abruptness of Shaw and Seixeiro's departure serves as another chapter for the show's legacy, with fans hoping the upcoming announcements will continue to align with the audience's expectations.
The ripple effects of this change will surely be felt as fans await details about the network’s new direction. Change is nerve-wracking, as co-host Brown noted: “We know change is never easy, but for over 35 years Breakfast Television has grown and evolved.” With the Breakfast Television audience served excitedly by reporters and hosts over time, questions loom on how the show will redefine itself and continue to attract viewers amid these changes.
Whether the future will embrace fresh faces or continue to evolve with established personalities remains to be seen. For now, fans are left hoping for clarity and reassurance from the network about the road ahead for Breakfast Television.