CTV Announces New Host and Managing Editor of W5

Canada’s pre-eminent investigative series, W5, launches its 51^st season with new Host and Managing Editor Kevin Newman at the helm on Saturday, Octtober. 1 on CTV, the CTV GO app, and CTVNews.ca.

One of Canada’s most respected journalists, Newman takes the reins of W5, North America’s longest-running investigative series, which he joined in September 2024 as a correspondent. A household name to viewers as a news anchor in Canada and the U.S. for the past 35 years, this new role marks the latest chapter in a career that has taken Newman to every major hotspot around the world. He has reported from every community, territory, and province in Canada, garnering the industry’s highest honours, including Emmy Awards, Gemini Awards, and a Peabody Award.

Newman succeeds former W5 Host and Chief Correspondent Lloyd Robertson, one of North America’s most accomplished journalists, who took the role in 2024 after stepping down after 35 years as Chief Anchor and Senior Editor of Canada’s most-watched newscast, CTV National News. A trailblazer and television icon, Robertson will continue to appear on W5 and elsewhere across CTV News properties and platforms in his new role as CTV News Special Correspondent.

“Holding people to account and digging deeper toward truth is needed today more than ever,” said Newman. “I’m deeply honoured to have been asked to inherit and refresh the proud tradition of W5, which Lloyd and many others have built.”

“Congratulations to Kevin, one of the most experienced and respected broadcast journalists anywhere,” said Robertson. “Kevin will lead W5 into its second half century with style, energy, and commitment to journalistic excellence.”

Airing Saturday, September 24th on CTV, the CTV GO app, and CTVNews.ca, W5 50^th Anniversary Special celebrates 50 years of investigative journalism since its debut on Sept. 11, 1966. Lead by Robertson, the one-hour special delivers a powerful journey through key moments from the thousands of topical, relevant, and investigative stories in the program’s archives that have powered W5’s enduring role as a vital Canadian whistleblower and storyteller.

“W5 represents the best of the best, and is poised to continue its tradition of unparalleled investigative storytelling as Lloyd passes the torch to Kevin as host,” said Wendy Freeman, President, CTV News. “For 50 years, Canadians have consistently demonstrated their interest in top-notch investigative journalism by tuning to W5. We’re honoured to celebrate this golden anniversary with a special look back, and look forward to a superb 51^st season.”

W5 50th Anniversary Special opens with Robertson at Toronto’s City Hall, the location of W5’s first-ever story about how easy it was to buy a gun and potentially wreak havoc in a public place. Though 50 years old and shot on black and white film, the story’s images are hauntingly familiar in today’s atmosphere of increasing gun violence across North America. From that point on W5 never looked back, boldly turning the lens on controversial topics and forging its reputation for raising important issues never before explored on national television.

W5 50th Special  adds context to 50 years of stories with comment from those who reported and produced some of those stories. From thousands of stories in the archives, the special program highlights the issues and people who made a difference. What was it like in the 1960s when repressive laws forced homosexuals to live in a culture of secrecy and fear? Why did Margaret Trudeau choose W5 to tell the nation about her mental health back in 1974? What was it about W5’s 1993 report on New Zealand that prompted Canadian politicians to finally tackle the problem of government debt? W5’s look back demonstrates the program’s longstanding mission to tackle the hottest issues, investigate schemes and scandal, meet the game-changers, and confront those who try to hide behind a wall of secrecy.

Launched in 1966 with a mission to deliver tough, relevant stories guided by the journalistic principles and practices of truth, accuracy, fairness, and accountability – and the five W’s that embody its very name: Who, What, When, Where, Why – W5 was a forerunner and direct inspiration for CBS’ acclaimed 60 Minutes.

Since its inception, W5 has delivered stories by prominent journalists who have hosted the program, including the program’s first host Peter Reilly, along with Ken Cavanaugh, Eric Malling, W5’s first female reporter Trina McQueen, Carole Taylor, Dennis McIntosh, Susan Ormiston, and up to today’s unparalleled team featuring Robertson and Newman, along with Victor Malarek, Sandie Rinaldo, and CTV News’ Chief Anchor and Senior Editor, Lisa LaFlamme. Behind the camera over the past five decades have been teams of the best producers, researchers, camera operators, editors, and sound recordists in journalism.

Among the countless prestigious awards and accolades received by W5, the program was awarded the Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards. Traditionally honouring the work of individuals, it was the first time the Gordon Sinclair Award was given to a television series. This past June, W5 was also awarded the RTDNA Trina McQueen Award as Best News Information Program.