Fans of Breakfast Television have reacted angrily to the departure of Meredith Shaw and Sid Seixeiro from the morning program after their exit was announced during Monday’s broadcast.
Near the top of the program, BT co-host Devo Brown said the familiar faces were no longer with the Canadian morning show.
“They’ve brought us plenty of great conversations, laughs and unforgettable moments, and we’re grateful for everything they’ve shared with all of us,” Brown said. “We wish them the very best with what comes next. But we know that change is never easy.”
In a statement to Postmedia, a spokesperson for Rogers Sports & Media did not indicate what led to the pair’s departure and said it was part of the show’s “evolution.”
“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,” a spokesperson wrote in an email. “As part of this evolution, 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.”
In a post that was shared to X and Instagram, Shaw said she was blindsided by the news. “Not gonna lie, this is hard,” she wrote.
“Deep breath. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes & hearts. Thank you Sid, for being a tremendous teammate and friend. You’re the best of the best and I love you,” she continued.
Shaw went on to thank BT viewers, adding “my gratitude for you has never been deeper as a new chapter begins for your favourite show.”
On Instagram, Shaw’s post generated thousands of supportive comments, including one from former BT co-host Dina Pugliese, who exited the show in early 2023 to spend more time with her family.
“Meredith you are so talented and I know you are going to go on to do amazing things!” Pugliese wrote.
Singer Jann Arden called Shaw “absurdly professional and hilarious.”
“Well, somebody has class. And it’s you two!” the Juno winner wrote. “You are absurdly professional and hilarious and smart and stylish and beautiful and warm and supportive and inspiring and kind. All the things that a lot of people (corporations) are not. Can’t wait to support your next adventure with my whole heart. I love you madly.”
Former Fashion Television host and New Music VJ Jeanne Beker called Shaw a “wonderful talent” and said she would be cheering on the television veteran’s next move.
Tracy Moore, whose Cityline show was cancelled last year, called Shaw’s tenure “an incredible run, a good time and a beautiful addition to a career that keeps on building.”
Shaw’s message also drew fiery responses from fans as well, with some promising to tune into another morning broadcast.
“This is heartbreaking,” one person wrote. “I’m sick of seeing these wonderful (people) leave one after another and 2 main hosts this time, who were amazing. You’ve lost me now too, switching to another morning news show where they don’t fire people on a whim.”
“I’m so sad that @Sid_Seixeiro and @meredithshaw were let go by @breakfasttv … and @devobrown having to deliver the news …such a crappy move by the network,” another person added on X.
“So disappointed with BT for getting rid of Sid and Meredith Shaw,”a longtime viewer wrote on X. “I loved them they were funny and always put a smile on my face in the mornings. Love Devo and Frank (Ferragine) .. But you lost a lot of viewers. I’m so hurt to see them go! What comes around goes around (is) all I can say!”
Shaw, who replaced Pugliese in 2023, called the job “a real dream come true” and came to BT after having appeared on The Marilyn Denis Show, The Social, CTV’s Your Morning, and etalk. She also hosted CHUM 104.5 and iHeartRadio’s syndicated national show, The Back in the Day Brunch.
Seixeiro, who joined BT in 2021 after taking over from Roger Petersen, also addressed his departure in a message shared with his 189,000 followers on X.
“Thanks for letting me into 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 wrote.
The duo’s farewell comes after Cheryl Hickey announced on Instagram last month that a proposed extended hour of BT fronted by her and Moore was no longer in development.
“After careful consideration, Citytv has decided to not move forward with the development of the new national hour of BT that I was to be a part of, so I am no longer working at Rogers,” Hickey wrote in an Instagram message posted on Jan. 20. When asked what might come next, Hickey replied: “That is the beauty of this life, we get to create our next and for that I am grateful.”