The broadcaster Jon McComb talks about his new endeavour, the Jon McComb Podcast, his 50-year broadcasting career, his thirty-six years at CKNW, and more, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Jon McComb joins me now. The veteran broadcaster signed off in mid-December 2019 after a distinguished career at radio station CKNW, some 36 years there, and a total 50-year career at radio stations in his native Arizona, with stops in Portland and Montreal. But it was those years here in Vancouver that he put his mark on the conversation of the day. He was a reporter at CKNW and became the first reporter from that legendary newsroom to become a talk show host. He’s remembered for his famed pairing with Philip Till and the World Tonight, that became the World Today when they moved into the afternoon drive slot in 1997. Eventually Till went to mornings, and eventually McComb followed him to the morning drive slot. When he announced his retirement late last year, it was said in a news report that he had a book in him and a podcast. I’ll ask him whether he’s gotten writing in a moment, but there is a podcast. The aptly named Jon McComb Podcast drops shortly and as we look ahead to that endeavour, I’ll get Mr. McComb to reflect on a long career in broadcasting and news, perhaps he’ll indulge me in reminiscences of former colleagues like Till, and many others that we all grew up listening to in this town. Incidentally, the day before he signed off in December, Jon did an interview with Drex that I thought was just terrific to hear two fine broadcasters reflect on the medium of radio. Jon’s podcast will be available on all platforms one gets a podcast, Spotify, Google and so forth. It will deal naturally with the issues of the day, so I’ll ask Jon what’s on his mind as he sort of eases out of retirement. The Twitter handle is @jonmccomb980. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jon McComb; Mr. McComb, good morning.

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