What to know
- Melissa Grelo is leaving The Social after more than a decade as one of the show’s original co-hosts.
- The CTV daytime show is getting a major format change, returning Sept. 9 as a premium video podcast while continuing to air on TV.
- Grelo will focus on her own podcast, Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, which returns for its fourth season this fall.
The Canadian media landscape is constantly evolving, and the latest move sees one of Toronto’s most familiar faces departing from a popular CTV talk show. Bell Media announced Wednesday that Melissa Grelo will depart the series as it undergoes a major format change ahead of its 14th season.
The show will return on Sept. 9, but things will be a little different. The Social will now be produced as a premium video podcast, while continuing to air weekdays on CTV and stream on Crave, iHeartRadio Canada and YouTube.
The Social is a Canadian daytime talk show that premiered on CTV in 2013, bringing together a panel of women to discuss everything from pop culture and current events to relationships, identity and social issues. The series quickly became known for its candid, often unfiltered conversations and its willingness to tackle topics that other daytime shows might shy away from.
Over the years, The Social has featured a rotating lineup of hosts, with Melissa Grelo among the original cast alongside Cynthia Loyst, Lainey Lui and Traci Melchor. The show has built a loyal Canadian audience over more than a decade, becoming a familiar part of weekday TV.
In a release, Bell Media shared that the show will continue to be filmed live on the series’ Toronto set, without a studio audience, combining “the strength of a podcast with the feel of a daytime series.” In its new format, The Social will continue to welcome various guest hosts and in-depth interviews, while discussing news, pop culture, and lifestyle topics.
“As the reach and influence of video podcasts grows globally, this evolution was the natural next step for [The Social], allowing the series to expand and reach Canadian and international audiences on the platform of their choice,” Laura Scarfo, executive producer of the series, said in a statement.
“Combining what’s made [The Social] popular with the more personal approach of a podcast allows greater opportunity for in-depth conversations and connections with audiences. And while we will miss Melissa’s keen insights and perspective, [The Social] team will be cheering her on as she transitions full time to [Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo].”
Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo
Grelo is leaving to focus full-time on her own podcast, Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, which features conversations and expert advice aimed at women navigating different stages of life. The audio show returns for its fourth season this fall.
Current co-hosts Jess Allen, Andrea Bain and Loyst will continue with the revamped series, with Loyst as the final original member of the cast.
