Here's the kind of news anchoring career that it's been for 77-year-old Lloyd Robertson: long, eventful and full of earning the accolades and trust of millions. A household name in his country, Robertson's 35 years behind the anchor desk of CTV National News - and 60 years as a broadcaster - have made him a Canadian icon.
The broadcasting career of Robertson is not coming to a complete stop, not as yet, but CTV announced in August he would be stepping down as Chief Anchor and Senior Editor of their national evening news program on September 1, 2011. He will remain with CTV as the Host and Chief Correspondent of the documentary series W5 and, the station said, in other roles.
Lloyd Robertson: TV's Longest Serving Anchor
He started in radio and began his TV career in 1954 with the CBC as a reporter and then host of the National for six years before jumping to CTV in 1976. During those 35 years at the helm the easy, no-nonsense style of the Stratford, Ontario native informed Canadians of history-changing events from Pierre Trudeau stepping down to two Quebec referendums and the war in Afghanistan. He will be missed.
"There is only one Lloyd Robertson and we're all grateful for his trusted storytelling of the events that have shaped us both at home and abroad," CTV News president Wendy Freeman said. "He has an enviable gift to provide context, no matter how difficult the subject matter, with honesty, integrity and objectivity. We are so thankful to Lloyd for sharing this gift each and every night for the Canadians who, in turn, have remained loyal to this incredible newsman."
The longest-serving network news anchor in television history, longer than Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw, Harvey Kirck and Dan Rather, Robertson has also worked 9 Olympics, 9 federal elections and more provincial elections than anyone cares to count. He was worked royal weddings, decades of political scandals and the Marathon of Hope by the great Canadian, Terry Fox.
CTV Specials for Lloyd Robertson
There are events around the anchor's leaving the national news chair. One of his four daughters, Lisa, directed a one-hour documentary on her father that will air on CTV at 10pm September 1, an hour before his final newscast. And during the final week of Robertson newscasts CTV will broadcast programs comprised of big moments he covered over the decades.
Noting he will still be working, in a statement Robertson said he is not retiring but did acknowledge that he is moving on. "I am honoured and humbled to have had the opportunity to be welcomed into the homes and lives of Canadians for so many years...I still pinch myself every now and again. I've witnessed some of the most historic events on the planet and had the opportunity to share my experiences with the people of this country."
A winner of many broadcasting awards, in 1998 Robertson was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. That same year he was awarded the Order of Canada.
His replacement will be broadcaster Lisa LaFlamme.
References Used in this story:
CTV News Website; Canadian News Icon Signs off September 1 on CTV; August 4, 2011.
