From a media release:
Canada’s pre-eminent investigative series, W5, launches its 51st season with new Host and Managing Editor Kevin Newman at the helm on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, the CTV GO app, and CTVNews.ca. The series returns with two investigative stories delving into the murky online world of swatting – an Internet prank with deadly consequences, along with an investigation into furnace sales schemes that have sprung up across Canada, victimizing unsuspecting homeowners.
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 2012 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 2011 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.
Airing Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, the CTV GO app, and CTVNews.ca, W5 50th 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 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 ANNIVERSARY 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 – W5was 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.
Canada’s top-rated and longest-running documentary program, W5 closed out its 50th season (2015/16) as the #1 non-sports program in its timeslot among total viewers and adults (A18+ and A25-54), reaching 2.4 million unique viewers in Canada on average for each episode. W5’s MR. PRIME MINISTER, an exclusive interview with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, just days after he led the Liberal Party to an historic majority win in Canada’s 2015 Federal Election, attracted an average audience of 1.1 million viewers (2+), making it the most-watched episode of the season.
Among the countless prestigious awards and accolades received by W5, the program was awarded the Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism at the 2014 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.
