TORONTO – After more than 50 years in broadcasting (40 of them with CTV), news anchor Ken Shaw announced Friday he will be retiring from the anchor chair following his final newscast on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.
Co-anchor (with Michelle Dubé) of Toronto's top newscasts CTV News at Noon and CTV News at Six since April 2001, Shaw first joined the CTV News Toronto team in 1979 as a breaking news reporter. He later moved to the national beat as national editor for the station, and then as weekday anchor for CTV News Channel, before returning to CTV News Toronto to become its anchor, reads the release confirming his retirement.
"There have been so many changes over the decades and I've been privileged to have a front row seat for all of them. I'm so thankful for the trust viewers put in our team to document the stories of their lives," said Shaw. "Although I'm leaving the day-to-day duties of the anchor desk, I'm excited to work on a number of special projects at CTV News."
Shaw will assume a new role with CTV News Channel where he will provide special reports on a number of key issues of importance to him, including the environment, says the company, once he steps down as anchor. The reports and accompanying podcasts and digital stories will be available on CTV News properties across Canada.
An announcement about a new co-anchor for CTV News Toronto will be made on Monday, December 9th.
“CTV News thanks Ken for his steadfast leadership and commitment over the decades, and for setting the standard for journalistic excellence that defines our organization. Though he will be missed in the anchor chair, we're pleased that he will continue to share his passion for key issues with Canadians through special reports for CTV News,” said Michael Melling, general manager, CP24 and CTV News Toronto in the release.
December 9th update: CTV announced Monday Nathan Downer (picutred above between Shaw and Dube) will be the new co-anchor. Downer was most recently an anchor and reporter for CP24 and an anchor of Live at Five on CTV Toronto. He has been with the broadcaster for 11 years and has covered a number of significant news stories, "from federal, provincial, and municipal elections, to the Bruce McArthur serial killings investigation, and the 2019 NBA championship win by the Toronto Raptors," says the CTV Toronto press release. He's been a broadcaster for 19 years.
“Nathan is a true fan of Toronto,” said Shaw, in the release. “Even a casual viewer of CP24 sees Nathan’s passion for the city and its rich cultures and history. He brings context and integrity to the position and I could not be more pleased.”
