TORONTO – The TV host who’s been synonymous with CBC Sports – especially the Olympics – for 30 years, Brian Williams, will start work for CTV this December.
In a day filled with announcements from the country’s largest private broadcaster surrounding its fall upfront presentation in downtown Toronto today (click here to see all the shows), this one was the biggest surprise. It’s pretty rare when a talent move like this happens.
Williams was introduced by Bell Globemedia president and CEO Ivan Fecan and CTV Inc. president Rick Brace. The two added Williams will play a leading role in shaping and delivering Olympic broadcast coverage of the highly anticipated 2010 Winter Games from Vancouver-Whistler and will be the prime time host of the coverage there as well as the 2012 Summer Games in London (which has to be a big disappointment for CTV’s uber-jock-talker, Rod Black).
Williams’ hire is CTV’s first move in building its Olympic broadcast team.
Williams (pictured) will join CTV through 2012 and over the next six years he will be integrated into several sporting assignments for CTV, TSN and other platforms. (However, he will now miss the CBC’s coverage of the Beijing Summer Games in 2008, which will be suddenly be an open prime time opportunity for someone at the Corp.)
"Brian Williams has been the face of the Olympics for Canadians for decades and we’re delighted that he will bring this legacy to CTV for 2010 and 2012," said Brace. "CTV believes it’s important to have sufficient time to associate Brian Williams with both the CTV and TSN brands as we build toward the most comprehensive Olympic coverage ever for 2010." 
"For more than 30 years, I’ve enjoyed tremendously my role with the CBC," said Williams, in a statement. "Now, I look forward to joining the CTV/TSN team and the opportunity to play a role in shaping coverage for Vancouver 2010."
In addition to being named CTV’s Olympic prime time host, Williams will also take an active role in developing and hosting lead-up programming during the build to 2010, and again for 2012. He’ll be seen on a variety of platforms within the CTV family of programs and channels, including across CTV’s entire conventional platform and on TSN where he will be available for several assignments. Fans will see him occasionally on SportsCentre and even on Canada AM.
Williams will concentrate on reports specifically targeting a West Coast audience, and in particular for broadcast on CTV’s Vancouver-based station.
Williams has covered every Olympic Games since Montreal in 1976 and is a multiple award-winner, including six Gemini Awards and the Foster Hewitt Award twice.
