TORONTO – After a remarkable 50 years in the broadcasting, CHUM Ltd. founder Allan Waters, has stepped down as a member of the board of directors, the company announced this afternoon.
The octogenarian has been named an honorary director. 
Waters (right) began his broadcasting career in 1954 with the purchase of 1050 CHUM in Toronto which, under his leadership, became the first Top 40 radio station in Canada. As chairman and president until 2002, Waters created the vision for CHUM Limited’s growth to its current position as one of Canada’s premiere media companies with radio and television stations from coast to coast.
"This company has been my father’s passion for over 50 years and it is his guiding hand that has made us what we are today," said Jim Waters, chairman CHUM Limited, in a release. "He laid the foundations for the principles in which this company is rooted and by which we continue to operate. On behalf of all of us who are part of this wonderful CHUM family, we express our heartfelt thank you."
"It was a privilege to have worked with Allan Waters for many years and an honour to have succeeded him as president of CHUM Limited," added Jay Switzer, president and CEO. "His leadership, integrity and profound business judgment have set an example that we carry with us into the future."
Waters has played a very active role in the broadcast industry having served as chairman of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, president of the Central Canada Broadcasters Association and founding chairman of the Radio Sales Bureau. He has also served as a director of the CTV Television Network and a member of the network’s executive committee.
Over the course of his career, he has been recognized with numerous awards for his contribution to the broadcasting industry including the Ted Rogers Sr.-Velma Rogers Graham Award and the Radio Television News Directors Association’s President’s Award. He has been inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame in recognition of his valuable contribution to the industry and awarded the association’s Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence.
At the 1999 Juno Awards, Waters was the first broadcaster to be honoured with the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award for contributions to the Canadian music industry. Concurrently, he was also inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
In 2002, in a special ceremony at the Canadian Music Industry Awards, Waters was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame where he was honoured for lifetime achievement in the Canadian music and broadcast industries.
