BREAKING NEWS: Tony Parsons to Anchor CBC News With Gloria Macarenko
You read it here first: Former Global TV news titan Tony Parsons will be co-anchoring the 5:00pm to 6:30 pm news hour at CBC Vancouver with the respected and award-winning Gloria Macarenko, in a multi-year blockbuster deal.
Ms. Macarenko’s co-anchor, long-time CBC newsman Ian Hanomansing will happily move to The National weekends, which fits better for him as he’s a young Dad and as a young Dad myself, I can appreciate the challenges of juggling a career with kids. He’ll be a natural successor to Peter Mansbridge if anyone in the CBC Tower understands their future.
And if that isn’t fast enough news for you, try this: Tony Parsons begins TODAY. 5:00pm, Channel 3 on your dial.
So, Mr. Parsons, 71, joins Ms. Macarenko, 48, at the anchor desk for the entire broadcast every night. After that show Mr. Parsons will be jetting over to Victoria to fulfill his obligations to CHEK TV in his usual 10pm time slot, Monday to Friday. He has a one-year contract there.
In an exclusive comment to this writer, Mr. Parsons said, “Alex, I couldn’t be more excited.”
Other than making him the most watched news anchor in the province once more, the implications are massive.
1) Global TV might not be left reeling, but they’ll lose a good amount of viewers. It’s inevitable. I enjoy the Global newscast and think Chris Gailus has really come into his own, but the loyalty to Tony Parsons will be strong and he’s the standard by which everyone will forever be measured. It’s hard to imagine in the ever-growing disposable, expedient press, that another anchor will accomplish what Mr. Parsons has. No criticism on Global, but I’m simply stating the obvious–they’ll lose viewers. How many, will be the big question. Global will have to rejig their ways to more of the kind of top-notch reporting that was being done under Cameron Bell. They are bursting at the seams with great reporters and are doing great stories again–so that shouldn’t be hard to do.
2) Huge kudos to CBC. This is an absolutely brilliant move. Parsons is a household name that will give them a significant boost–without question and will make their newscast the go to, as I can’t imagine that they’ll only bring Parsons along. In order to make it really work, they MUST increase their investigative reporting budget and try to pick one or two great reporters from either Global and/or CTV.
3) The loser in this equation is, sadly, CTV. Why on earth they would re-sign Pamela Martin and Bill Good, when Mike Killeen and Keri Adams would be superb co-anchors for the 6pm slot, is beyond me. Both Good and Martin are well-past their best before dates. And this from a station otherwise brimming with talented reporters as well.
At 1pm there will be a press conference at the CBC in downtown Vancouver, making the formal announcement that Tony Parsons joins them and begins today.
And I’ll have more thoughts on this later, too.
Another well deserved kudo for breaking YET ANOTHER news piece in British Columbia.
I have no idea what on earth the rest of th media does to fill their time in this province.
Perhaps they’re all huddled over the news wire to see what else is rolling in so that it doesn’t disturb their coffee and donuts.
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Thx Jerry. Much appreciated.
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Actually, NowPublic.com had this first. Sorry. That’s where I read it.
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No need to apologize, I’m sure that’s where YOU read it first. Thx for clearing that up, many of my readers might have gone sleepless without knowing.
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Great News! Congratulations, Tony! I wish you all the best.
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Good move on CBC’s part. Ian Hanomansing started off as a reporter / journalist within the National, and at one time he had a programme called Foriegn Affairs or something. Ian has a good even flow in his delivery.
But would be a bit on Parsons to be able to do two news programmes in one day, since after the 6 PM news, its off to the Helijet Pad (and not by Skytrain to Waterfront). and then to Victoria.
But Parsons with CBC, that will put competition againt CTV most certainly and also BCTV (Global). Gailus is coming into his own rather faster than expected. But there doesn’t seem to be much investigative reporting as there used to be with Cameron Bell as News Director,
the kind of News Hour that had alot of respect, and fear.
As for CTV, it’s getting a bit hard to take with Pamela Martin and Bill Good. Agree with you regarding Mike Killeen and keri Adams would be much better. I was watching Mike Killeen as anchor at 6 PM during the time that Tamara Taggart was in New York for that spot on Regis. Alex you should have seen Mike Killeen while Tamara was just bubbly and gushing about her time on the Regis show. He looked like he wanted to be somewhere else. had a dislike for Taggart’s gushing and being bubbly.
Collen Christie and Dr. Low look like fashion models for ladies
knee high boots sold in a women’s boutique on Robson Street.
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I agree. I think the ‘I’m too sexy for my…” factor just goes too far sometimes. Nice legs, yes..very..but it’s not why we watch the news…er, primarily…
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Great scoop Alex. Tony will be terrific on the CBC News–now if they can only decide what time slot it will stay in. I have always thought the CBC evening news was the best in that slot. I hope Tony can bring some needed numbers with him, so the the government will continue to see the value in local news.
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Absolutely right, Stuart. Complete agreement. Good to hear from you as always.
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Good stuff. Thank you for this info.
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With pleasure.
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Hey Alex,
I also believe that CHEK will suffer as a result of this announcement. CBC can afford better videos and live on the scene reporting. Those faithful Tony Parsons fans may very well tune into CBC… but for some reason I can’t believe that after watching Tony for an hour, they will tune in again at Ten to watch him on CHEK. How much news can one person take in one evening. Personally I’ve always liked Tony, but even as a news junkie, I can’t see myself watching a carbon copy ( basically ) at Ten. I don’t believe it’s a whole new audience at Ten.
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Hey Guy! Yes, I believe you’re right for the most part. They may or may not suffer, but they have very good people over there. Let’s hope they thrive! CHECK is a great station. Cheers!
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umm – I believe I had it first Alex – not sure exactly when you posted your story – either way interesting stuff
http://my.nowpublic.com/culture/tony-parsons-former-global-bc-anchor-new-host-cbc-vancouver-news-2604327.html
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Hi Sudha, I spoke to Tony exclusively the night before and had the story out earlier than you in the morning. I then pulled it because Tony wanted me to make an addition and provide an exclusive quote. In the then interim, at 11:25am, you posted. Regardless, you’re right, it is a very interesting story. Let’s hope it helps both CHEK and the CBC. Nice work! I wish you well.
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Meanwhile over at Global tonight, Kevin Evans presents a story showing some of the spoiled children of the rich, destroying with a baseball bat, an i-pad. This is worthy of their anchor’s input? That said; I’m happy to see that Tony is back at work, but at 71 I should think he receives both government pensions and possibly one from the Broadcaster’s union and is hardly in need of “double dipping”, I believe they call it. There are others out there who may need the work. I mean, Tony has likely got ties older than .. well, you Alex, if not me.
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Kevin Evans? Did I miss something??
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Lost in all this is the damage that may be done to CHEK. The folks there tried to promote Mr. Parsons and gain market share, but now with this move, it seems likely that won’t happen. I have no doubt that viewers on the mainland will tune-in to watch Tony on the Ceeb, but not on both stations. CHEK will take another untimely hit.
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I’m not so sure. Maybe, maybe not, time will tell. I think the world of CHEK and the CBC, so I hope it helps both of them.
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The questions i have are – will any MSM begin to actually work at reporting the last 10 years it seems they were owned by Victoria or its bidders and can someone like Parsons take a lead and make sure there are such things to report id like a reporter asking our Premier soem awfully tough questions and not lobbing the softies good old Glowball Baldry does now .
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VERY GOOD QUESTIONS! And ones which I hope are answered in the affirmative.
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Yet another old white guy news anchor. This is good news?
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I think so. He will challenge the CBC and all other stations to raise the level of their game, I believe.
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Hate to be the only downer here but, to me, Parsons looked old and tired in High Def last night – and, at 71, he has more than passed his best-before date too.
Seldom watch anything but CBC and, generally, the quality of all TV news has suffered badly in the last 5 – 10 years anyway.
I’d have been happier if CBC had given Gloria the whole show and fired that little twerp who does the sports. I think they’re all just treading water.
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You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, Garth. And you’re not a downer, when the logic is clear. I’m a huge fan of Gloria’s as well. She’s terrific. But Tony is an institution and can still do the job very well. Ever heard of a fellow named Lloyd Robertson? Good to have you along Garth. Very best.
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Kevin Newman is whom I meant, sorry ’bout that! Always read and re-read before you submit Larry! Kevin Evans, is he still around besides in some dark recess of my mind?
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Right, thought so, but wanted to tickle your brain a little…good stuff!
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From what I’ve read today, CHEK TV will insert the 6:00pm-6:30pm portion of the CBC broadcast on their station. In return, CBC will run some Victoria based stories created by CHEK reporters.
Also, Tony is quoted as thinking he may be able to do his 10:00pm CHEK news broadcast from the Vancouver side. That would be a lot less taxing on his system.
I would think the biggest loser in this revelation would be Global as it was there he built his stable of viewers. It will just be another financial blow to the crumbling Canwest (former) Empire.
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Yes, I can confirm that. I spoke to a pal at CHEK who suggested that they would use the CBC Vancouver studios to have him do the 10pm news as well. Good to hear from you, Cranky!
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Did I miss something, what has landlord got against old white guys? Careful buddy, you come close to a bias against a minority group. How does it feel?
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What?! You mean you thought white men still had rights in this country??? What’s wrong with you man? Get with the program….
Actually, on a serious note, landlord is an astute individual whose comments I always welcome.
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Raise their game!??? Hell, I hope he holds them all accountable!
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Me three!
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You know, I think this will pave the way for the CBC to completely purchase CHEK-TV, split its newsroom between 700 Hamilton Street and 780 Kings Road, and start anchoring its supper-hour newscasts from Victoria instead of Vancouver.
Hey, that would mean CHEK coming full circle, as it originally opened in 1956 as a CBC affiliate.
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Hi Dave:
That’s possible, but I spoke to someone ay CHEK the other day and that’s not the direction they’re going…for now. The employees were really quite brilliant in doing what they did and John Pollard is a genius. He made all the right moves and commandeered the saving of the station.
Cheers!
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I was all set to change to the CBC for the evening news, so as to keep my habit going of watching Tony doing what he does so well as Anchor. Then I realised that I would be watching Claire – dear Claire – giving her performance which, among the verbage, did give a little info on what the weather was going to be. Among all the moving around, slurring of her speech, and obvious huge ego, I guess I will have to stay with Cox on Global. So its GOOD LUCK TONY. You deserve it.
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I’m not sure I agree, but you’re certainly entitled to your opinion. CBC need to do much more by way of increasing their reporting. Hiring Stephen Smart from CTV was BRILLIANT. But it’s not enough. To equal the punch of Tony and Gloria together, they have to do more.
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