CTV is transforming its daytime show 'The Social' into a video podcast for its upcoming 14th season. this structural change comes alongside the departure of longtime moderator Melissa Grelo, who is leaving the program to launch her own independent wellness project.
The 1:00 p.m. ET YouTube-to-CTV broadcast loop
The new production schedule for 'The Social' involves a dual-platform approach designed to bridge the gap between digital and linear viewing. As CTV reported on Wednesday ,the series will now stream live on YouTube at 1:00 p.m. ET. This digital premiere will be followed by an immediate broadcast of the recorded one-hour episodes on CTV at 2:00 p.m. ET.
To ensure the show reaches viewers across multiple ecosystems, CTV is expanding its distribution beyond traditional television. The program is set to be available on Crave, iHeart.com, and the iHeartRadio Canada app.. This multi-channel strategy aims to capture audiences who prefer on-demand or mobile-first content over scheduled television broadcasts.
Melissa Grelo’s departure for 'Aging Powerfully'
Melissa Grelo is stepping away from the series after serving as a co-host and moderator for 13 seasons. According to the announcement, Grelo is shifting her focus to her own health and wellness podcast, titled 'Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo'.
In a social media statement, Grelo expressed her gratitude to CTV for supporting her career over the years. However, she noted that her new venture offers a unique opportunity to "connect with people more directly and own more of the stories she tells." Her departure marks the end of a significant era for the daytime series , which has relied on her presence for over a decade.
Reaching international audiences via YouTube and Crave
This format shift is part of a broader effort to modernize the daytime series for a globalized media landscape.. Executive producer Laura Scarfo stated that transitioning the show to a video podcast will allow it to expand and reach both Canadian and international audiences on the platforms of their choice.
While the announcement focuses on the strategic benefits of this digital pivot, the report does not include commentary from industry analysts regarding the potential risks of such a significant format change.. The move reflects a wider trend where legacy broadcasters are increasingly forced to compete with digital-native creators by adopting podcasting and streaming-first workflows.
Who will fill the moderator void left by Grelo?
The future composition of the 'The Social' hosting team remains a primary point of speculation. The report confirms that Jess Allen, Andrea Bain, and Cynthia Loyst will continue their roles as hosts for the 14th seaon . However, it remains unclear if the production team intends to name a new moderator to replace Grelo or if the show will proceed with the existing trio in a different capacity.
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