Michael Cranston
Birthplace
Hamilton, Ontario
Birthdate
October 12, 1945
First Media Job
CKOC Radio, Hamilton, Intern
CKMP Midland, First On-Air
“People come and leave this industry like any other, but not too many spend 54 years at it like Mike Cranston.”
- Alex J. Walling of Frank Magazine
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario Michael considered studying the field of dentistry at the University of Toronto until the broadcast bug ‘got’ him! He attended Ridley College in St. Catharines. His father, W.T. (Bill) Cranston, was General Manager of CKOC Television in Hamilton and provided him with a chance to earn money working as a summer intern at CKOC Radio. Then in September of 1963 he landed his first on-air job at CKMP Radio in Midland hosting an evening show. Broadcasting from a 250 watt transmitter, this was truly a humble beginning for a successful, lifelong career! Within a month’s time he was appointed News Director. His next stop was in Guelph at CJOY Radio in 1964. Then in 1965 Michael made what would be his first of four engagements at CKSO Radio in Sudbury. He was an on-air host through to 1967. He was about to head south but not before meeting a special Sudburian girl, Linda, and marrying her. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2017!
Headed then to Toronto, also in 1967 he landed at CHUM Radio. It was back to Sudbury in 1968 at CKSO AM where Michael would remain as Morning Show Host until 1971. The Cranston’s were on the move in 1971, this time to Prince George in British Columbia. He worked as Announcer and Program Director at CKPG Radio.
Michael Cranston proved the old adage that a young man or woman in radio broadcasting should always keep a couple of suitcases packed and ready to go to that next ‘gig’! In 1972 the Cranston’s headed for Edmonton, Alberta. Michael joined CFRN Radio & Television where he stayed until 1976 wearing several hats. He served as Program Director, did mornings on radio and was a network anchor for television news.
They returned to Sudbury where Michael once again hosted CKSO AM mornings from 1976 to late 1979. During this time, Michael anchored supper-time television news networked to Sudbury, North Bay and Timmins audiences.
East was the direction of the Cranston’s next move, heading for Halifax and the Maritime Broadcasting System Ltd., CHNS in 1979. He served as Morning Show Host and Program Director. Then in 1985 it was back to CKSO Radio for his fourth and final stop in Sudbury entertaining listeners as Morning Show Host.
Cranston then took a bit of a twist in his broadcast career switching to instructor at Canadore College, North Bay, in 1986. He would return to the Maritime Broadcasting System in 1988 as Announcer at CHNS, Halifax. From 1991 to 1997 Michael was both Announcer and Program Director at Sun FM (CIEZ), also part of the Maritime Broadcasting group, in Halifax. In 1997 Michael decided it was time for another switch and took charge as Director of the Maritime News Network, also part of the Maritime Broadcasting System, serving Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. He would hold this position until retiring in early 2018. Michael Cranston was responsible for anchoring a department of 15 people at 24 radio stations in the three Maritime provinces. Duties included provision of content and administration for up to a dozen newscasts per day, per market. In this position, Michael custom fit software provisioning for the company’s markets streamlining the distribution of news and information. He had a hand in marketing and promotion for the company’s news network.
Meanwhile Michael also founded his own company in 2000, “G. Michael Cranston Productions”. He provided voice work, organized auditions and recording sessions and marketing strategy.
Throughout his career Mike met many people including Paul McCartney with whom he had a private audience for about 15 minutes following a Beatles show at Maple Leaf Gardens while working at CJOY in Guelph. Involved with news, Mike had the opportunity of traveling to Saudi Arabia in 1989 with the likes of Marcel Dionne, Mike Wheatley, Merv Russell and others. The group spent some time with the troops. Michael recalls, “It was one of the greatest trips in my life and having Marcel Dionne playing hockey with our troops was great!”
Michael Cranston officially retired in February of 2018. He and his wife continue to reside in Halifax.
