CTV News Names Avery Haines as Host and Managing Editor of W5, Returning to CTV for Season 55 Beginning September 26

Tags: @CTVW5, @CTVNews, @CTV, @Avery_Haines, @MollyThomasTV

TORONTO (August 26, 2020) – CTV News announced today that Avery Haines has been named Host and Managing Editor of W5 as the program prepares to return to CTV for its 55^th season this fall. Airing Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning Sept. 26 on CTV and everywhere CTV content can be found, Canada’s most-watched documentary series and North America’s longest-running investigative program also announced today it will welcome Molly Thomas this season, joining the award-winning team as Investigative Correspondent.

“To lead this program – an institution in Canada – requires trust in accomplished and seasoned journalists, and I’m confident it is in no better hands than with Avery Haines at the helm,” said Wendy Freeman, President, CTV News. “We’re thrilled she will continue to bring her investigative skills as Managing Editor while taking on the role of Host this season.”

Haines joined W5 in 2017 and during three years on the team has proven to be invaluable in presenting the quality journalism that is synonymous with the program. Her tenacious reporting earned her the prestigious 2020 Canadian Screen Award for Best Host or Interviewer, News or Information for the story “The Narco Riviera”. The documentary featured a chilling interview with a Mexican cartel leader while his heavily armed accomplices looked on.

“I am honoured to be continuing the tradition of fearless journalism exemplified by W5’s decades-long reporting,” said Haines. “Being part of this stellar team has been tremendously rewarding and I look forward to expanding my role with this iconic program.”

“We are also delighted to welcome Molly Thomas to the accomplished team at W5, and proud to continue our longstanding tradition of shepherding the best talent to uncover the best stories,” said Anton Koschany, Executive Producer, W5. “With impressive journalistic background that combines short and long-form storytelling, Thomas brings international experience that will be beneficial in exposing significant stories from around the world, as we did earlier this year when W5 was the first to take viewers inside the epicentre of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.”

Thomas and Haines are joined by the rest of W5’s award-winning team, which includes CTV News Weekend Anchor Sandie Rinaldo, CTV News’ National Affairs Correspondent Omar Sachedina, and CTV’s Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme who are among the regular contributors whose experience and breadth of work will be leveraged from across CTV News this season.

About Avery Haines With more than 30 years of exceptional experience in Canadian journalism, Avery Haines now takes the reins of W5 as Host and Managing Editor. Working with W5 as Investigative Correspondent since 2017, Haines has been contributing her detailed eye, tenacious storytelling, and drive to uncover the toughest of stories to the program. She is known for asking tough questions and going to great lengths for answers, and most recently has been at the forefront of reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic. In her new role, Haines will lead while continuing to leverage her vast journalistic experience to investigate and uncover significant emerging stories for W5.

Throughout her career, Haines has been recognized with a multitude of awards and nominations, including numerous Radio Television Digital News Association of Canada (RTDNA) awards, as well as multiple Canadian Screen Award wins for Best Host or Interviewer, News and Information and nominations for Best Local Reportage.

About Molly Thomas Joining W5 from the CTV News Ottawa Parliamentary Bureau where she was a Correspondent, Thomas has also served as a news anchor and reporter for CTV News Channel and co-host for CTV MORNING LIVE REGINA.

With impressive international experience as a journalist, Thomas has been recognized for multiple awards, including as a finalist for the AidEX Humanitarian & Development Journalism Award, as winner of the Bronze Telly Award, and with multiple nominations and one win from the RTDNA.

The Regina native’s passion for social justice stories have taken her to Iraq, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Haiti, Rwanda, Uganda, France, and England. Her smart and curious reporting style adds a refresh to the show’s proud tradition of digging deeper toward truth and commitment to journalistic excellence.

In addition to airing Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, W5 also airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET on CTV2. W5 is also available on demand at CTVNews.ca/W5, and on the CTV and CTV News apps.