Aamer Haleem
Often described as multi-talented, quirky, offbeat, entertaining and informative, Aamer Haleem has plenty of international experience as a host and interviewer. He's worked in Los Angeles, New York, London, Hong Kong, Toronto and Vancouver.
Aamer was born in London, England and grew up in Canada (Ottawa and Toronto). He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from the University of Toronto.
After weighing his options of pursuing a career in journalism or law, Aamer opted for the former and enrolled in the graduate program at Humber College’s School of Journalism.
Aamer began his broadcasting career as an associate producer for TSN Inside Sports (TSN). While working behind-the-scenes, Aamer continued to pursue his goal of working in front of the camera by covering stories and hosting a weekly live show for a variety of programs at a community based television station. He was also the reporter for some of the stories he produced for Inside Sports.
Aamer was then hired by the STAR TV Network to host and produce a daily entertainment news show called Eveready Red Alert (Channel "V"). The show was based in Hong Kong and broadcast throughout Asia.
Aamer eventually returned to North America and while en route to Toronto, he stopped off in Vancouver. During a 24-hour layover, he met with the management team preparing to launch a new station in the market (it would eventually become the CTV affiliate in Vancouver). Aamer was offered the job as host of the morning show before he boarded his flight to Toronto. Aamer would go on to host VTV Breakfast (CIVT/CTV BC) for four years.
VTV Breakfast was a daily, three hour offering of news, weather and traffic. Aamer conducted the in-studio interviews featuring local, national and international newsmakers and celebrities. He also anchored the lifestyle/information segments which featured contributions from a variety of experts.
Aamer eventually said goodbye to Vancouver and hello to New York City after accepting the job as a host with VH1/MTV Networks. During his tenure, he interviewed celebrities ranging from U2 to George Clooney to Madonna.
Aamer also covered a number of major national and international events including relief efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Live 8 and The Concert for Diana in England. He's also hosted or co-hosted a variety of programs for VH1 including The Top 20 Video Countdown and their red carpet specials for the Grammy Awards.
Aamer's most daunting task at VH1 was hosting Bands Reunited.
It was a show dedicated to locating the members of bands long since broken up and inviting them to reunite for a one night only performance. Bands Reunited took Aamer around the U.S. and parts of Europe and it became a huge success for VH1.
Aamer also co-hosted BRAVO’s broadcast of the LIVE EARTH concert from Giants Stadium and concluded his work with VH1 by hosting its coverage of the Critics’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles.
Aamer then received a phone call to host a new daily current affairs show for the CBC. They wanted to develop a lively, fast paced show on Radio 1 with Aamer moderating a series of provocative conversations and debates about the topics of the day.
The result was The Point (Radio 1), a show featured plugged-in guests from different walks of life who brought their insight, analysis and personal experience to a range of discussions. The Point also encouraged listeners to join in on the conversation.
The Point was available on CBC Radio 1, Sirius Satellite 137 and cbc.ca.
Meanwhile, back on television, Aamer was the in-studio host for Sundance Channel HQ (Sundance Channel) and interviewed actors, writers, directors and producers who participated in the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Everyone from Harry Belafonte, Robert Redford, Isabella Rossellini and Roger Corman to Paul Rudd, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Stanley Tucci, Jeremy Irons and Emily Blunt were among the guests who spoke with Aamer in the Sundance HQ studio.
Aamer was also the host on the main stage for the Film Independent Spirit Awards Arrivals Show (IFC) where he interviewed Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Stiller among others.
It wasn’t long before Vancouver – and specifically CTV – came calling again as Aamer’s former station was starting up another morning show and asked him to co-host CTV Morning Live (CIVT/CTV BC). The daily 3½ hour show has the latest news, weather and traffic for viewers in Metro Vancouver and across British Columbia.
In the show’s brief history, Aamer has interviewed Carly Rae Jepsen, Richard Branson, Metta World Peace, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nelly Furtado, Channing Tatum, Sarah McLachlan, Rick Hansen, Emma Thompson, Christine Sinclair and Jonah Hill.
