Talk show host Bill Good welcomes B.C. Liberal leader Gordon Campbell prior to a radio interview in December 2000. Good interviewed generations of political leaders in the province.Jeff Vinnick/The Globe and Mail
After 26 years on air, Bill Good is retiring from his spot as one of British Columbia's most prominent radio talk show hosts. Mr. Good will leave CKNW Radio, based in Vancouver, on Aug. 1.
"Bill came to the conclusion he wanted to spend more time on the Sunshine Coast where he has a house and retire from doing a daily talk show," Ian Koenigsfest, brand director for CKNW, said Friday.
"We respect that decision. [He's] interviewed everyone of note, of notoriety and set the bar as a talk-show host not only in this province, but in Canada," he said.
"He is a great listener. He is incredibly perceptive and I think the mark of any talk-show host is to have the right amount of knowledge on a huge variety of topics. Bill was comfortable whether he was discussing LNG or the political machinations in Victoria or the 40th anniversary of the Summit Series."
Mr. Good's morning show was heard in the Lower Mainland, and also picked up in Victoria and available in Kelowna and Kamloops, giving the program provincial sweep.
Over 26 years, Mr. Good initially held the afternoon slot then shifted into the 8:30 a.m. slot when Rafe Mair's show was cancelled in 2003.
Throughout his run, Mr. Good has had a prominent B.C. platform for interviewing prime ministers and premiers, and weighing in on other issues. He also hosted provincial-election leaders' debates, including one in the 2013 campaign.
While CKNW alone made Mr. Good a prominent broadcaster, it was not his only media role. After beginning his journalism career in 1965 in Prince Rupert, the son of a radio broadcaster also worked in radio and TV for CBC, CFAX 1070 in Victoria and also anchored TV news for Global BC, formerly BCTV, and CTV.
Mr. Koenigsfest promised a notable broadcast send-off for Mr. Good. "Plans are in the works to appropriately celebrate his career at CKNW," he said.
Mr. Good's looming exit comes as Philip Till, host of the 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. slot, has also announced his exit.
Mr. Koenigsfest said there will be a wide-ranging search for Mr. Good's successor.
"We will look everywhere. It may take weeks or months but we're going to be absolutely sure that the new person who hosts the show continues to deliver our brand promise, which is compelling, relevant content every day," said Mr. Koenigsfest.
"I am looking for a great storyteller, a great conversationalist and someone who provides compelling content and allows us to diversify our audience and someone who realizes that the CKNW brand is still very strong and we have a commitment to listen to what Vancouver is talking about and reflect those conversations."
Ian Bailey