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CTV News
CTV News
from Wikipedia
CTV News
Division ofCTV Television Network
PredecessorA-Channel News/A News (CTV 2 stations)
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario, Canada
Area servedWorldwide
Key peopleRichard Gray (vice president)[1]
ParentCTV Inc.
(Bell Media)
Official Websitectvnews.ca

CTV News is the news division of the CTV Television Network in Canada. The name CTV News is also applied as the title of local and regional newscasts on the network's owned-and-operated stations (O&Os), which are closely tied to the national news division. Local newscasts on CTV 2 are also branded as CTV News, although in most cases they are managed separately from the newscasts on the main CTV network.

History

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In 1961, CTV News was launched by the Canadian government.

Staff milestones

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On 1 September 2011, chief news anchor and senior news editor Lloyd Robertson retired after 35 years at the helm of the flagship.[2] On 19 September 2023, Bell Media celebrated long-time news anchor Sandie Rinaldo's 50th year with the franchise.[3]

Errors and controversies

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On 26 September 2024, CTV News admitted that it had altered or manipulated a clip of Pierre Poilievre broadcast the previous Sunday. It fired two news editors and apologized "unreservedly".[4] On 2 October, he ended his boycott of the broadcaster.[5]

National programs

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CTV News logo, 2013–2019

CTV's national news division produces the following programs, which air on the main CTV network:

Additionally, CTV News operates the national 24-hour news channel CTV News Channel and the 24-hour national business news channel BNN Bloomberg, both of which are available across Canada on cable and satellite.

The news division produced the weekday morning news and entertainment program Canada AM from 1972 to October 2015, when responsibility for the program was transferred to Bell Media In-House Productions, the division responsible for CTV's other daytime lifestyle programming, until the program's cancellation in June 2016.[6] Canada AM's replacement Your Morning is produced by Bell Media Studios, with news content provided by CTV News.[7]

On February 8, 2024, Bell announced the cancellation of CTV's long-running newsmagazine W5 as part of budgetary and staff cuts. The brand will still be used for investigative journalism across CTV News properties.[8]

The national news operation also briefly produced a roughly ten-minute national and international news summary, anchored by Heather Butts, which was embedded in CTV O&Os' weekend early evening newscasts from November 2023 to February 2024,[9] when the majority of local weekend newscasts were cancelled.[10]

Local programs

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Chopper 9, CTV Vancouver news helicopter in Vancouver operated from August 2004-January 31, 2020. CTV Toronto is the only other station that uses the CTV Chopper. The latter unit is also used on Bell Media's Toronto-based local news channel, CP24, but referred to as Chopper 24

In most markets, local CTV News programs air at 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. (CTV 2) or 11:30 p.m. (CTV) on weekdays. In selected markets, 5:00 p.m. newscasts, and weekend newscasts at 6 p.m. and 11:00 p.m./11:30 p.m., are also produced, and several CTV stations in western Canada (and some CTV Two stations in eastern Canada) produce local morning newscasts as CTV Morning Live.

In 1998, shortly following the merger of the CTV network with Baton Broadcasting, local news branding on the CTV O&Os was unified with network news presentation, with newscast titles standardized under the format "(call sign) News", for example "CFTO News" for the Toronto station. Prior to this, the local O&Os used various titles, though one used in the late 1970s by a number of stations was "World Beat News" (for late-afternoon broadcasts) and "Night Beat News" (for late-night broadcasts). By late 2005, the O&Os' local newscasts had been renamed "CTV News". Beginning in February 2014, local programs were rebranded using region-specific on-air titles such as "CTV News Toronto".

On November 13, 2023, CTV replaced 5:30 p.m. newscasts with an evening edition of CTV National News.[11]

On February 8, 2024, Bell made major cuts to CTV's local newscasts. All noon newscasts outside of Toronto were cut, as well as weekend newscasts outside of Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa. Bell will also expand multimedia journalist models to Atlantic Canada, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan.[12]

National aggregate ratings published by BBM Canada refer to the local broadcasts collectively as CTV Evening News, CTV Late News, CTV Noon News, etc., although these titles are not used on-air. Since most CTV affiliates are owned by the network, CTV offers the opportunity to buy national ads on local programming across its O&Os, making these aggregate ratings useful for advertisers.

Local CTV News programs are produced in the following markets:

CTV O&Os in smaller markets air a newscast produced in one of the larger markets noted above, although some may also produce a shorter local news insert aired during a break in the main market's program, and some of these smaller stations produce their own noon newscasts.

Through the purchase of CHUM Limited, Bell Media acquired A News which produced local newscasts mainly in smaller markets or alternate areas of larger markets. When the A system was rebranded as "CTV Two" on August 29, 2011 (and later CTV 2), its newscasts switched to the CTV News branding,[13] likely because "CTV Two News" might be seen as connoting a second-class newscast. The CTV News broadcasts on the CTV 2 stations previously used the main CTV logo as their logo bug during these newscasts as did the main CTV network, but they currently use the regionally branded titles such as CTV News Barrie as is now the case for the CTV O&Os. Most of these stations are nevertheless required to separate their news operations from CTV stations in local and adjacent markets. This restriction does not apply to the cable-only channels CTV Two Atlantic, which has been co-owned with the local CTV stations since its launch (their news operations have been fully integrated since 1998), and CTV Two Alberta, which produces a current affairs program, Alberta Primetime, using resources from local CTV stations.

Independent affiliates also air their own local newscasts, such as NTV (which despite dropping CTV's entertainment programming in 2002, still provides coverage of Newfoundland for CTV News and airs its national newscasts), and CITL-TV (which airs Prime Time Local News, a production shared with its sister station, Global affiliate (now Citytv affiliate) CKSA-TV).

Bell Media also operates CP24, a regional news channel focusing on the Greater Toronto Area and most of Southern Ontario, which was acquired through the purchase of CHUM Limited, and formerly aligned with Citytv Toronto. The channel airs news programs focused on the region, and as of June 2024, the station airs simulcasts of CFTO's 12 noon (weekdays); 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. newscasts.

News bureaus

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CTV News has bureaus across Canada and around the world, but many were closed to cut costs (most recently those in London, Los Angeles, Moscow, and Kampala) and replaced with reporters sent to locations from the existing bureaus.

A list of current bureaus:

National

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International

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My News

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In 2008, the CTV News website introduced My News, a citizen journalism feature allowing citizens to upload their images or videos relating to current events. Viewers may also upload media for any station or program.[14]

NewsDay and NewsNight by CTV News

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NewsDay and NewsNight aired weekly on Quibi exclusively in Canada. It was hosted by Heather Butts and Reshmi Nair.[15][16] Quibi was shut down on December 1, 2020.[17]

Criticism and controversy

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Allegations of anti-Palestinian bias

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In November 2023, reports emerged alleging that CTV News exhibited systemic bias against Palestinians in its coverage of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. According to an investigation by The Breach, internal emails revealed that CTV journalists were instructed not to use the term "Palestine," with a senior editor reportedly stating that "Palestine...does not currently exist." The investigation also claimed that CTV National News, the network's flagship program, featured 62% more Israeli voices than Palestinian voices in its coverage following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Additionally, it was reported that nearly half of the Palestinian voices featured were not identified by name, unlike their Israeli counterparts.

Journalists interviewed by The Breach alleged a "culture of fear" within CTV newsrooms, where staff felt discouraged from reporting critically on Israel's actions due to potential repercussions. These allegations sparked public debate about mass media impartiality in Canada with some commentators and activists arguing that CTV's coverage contributed to an unbalanced portrayal of the conflict. CTV News did not publicly responded to these specific claims.[18][19]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
CTV News is the news division of the , Canada's largest privately owned English-language broadcast television network, which operates 22 owned-and-operated stations across the country and is owned by , a of telecommunications conglomerate Launched in 1961 as part of the network's founding to provide an alternative to the public broadcaster CBC, CTV News delivers national and international coverage through flagship programs like , regional newscasts, the 24-hour CTV News Channel, and extensive digital operations including ctvnews.ca. The organization claims to be Canada's most-watched news provider, with a network of bureaus in major cities and abroad, emphasizing breaking news, investigative reporting, and multimedia content. Despite its prominence, CTV News has encountered criticism for perceived left-leaning bias common in Canadian mainstream media, as well as specific controversies such as the 2021 Canadian Broadcast Standards Council ruling against it for misrepresenting statements by former U.S. President and a 2024 editing error in footage of Conservative leader that prompted internal review and public backlash over journalistic integrity. These incidents highlight ongoing tensions between the outlet's self-described commitment to factual reporting and accusations of selective framing in politically charged stories.

History

Founding and Early Development (1961–1980s)

The CTV Television Network, established as Canada's first private national English-language television service, launched on October 1, 1961, under the provisional name Canadian Television Network before being renamed CTV in 1962. Formed by a consortium of independent stations including CFTO-TV in Toronto and CFCF-TV in Montreal, the network aimed to provide competition to the public CBC, relying initially on microwave links for limited live national coverage while other regions received taped delays. The news division's flagship program, CTV National News, debuted on September 24, 1962, as a 15-minute late-evening broadcast at 10:30 p.m., anchored by Baden Langton and Peter Jennings from CJOH-TV in Ottawa. Early growth in the included format adjustments, with the newscast expanding to 20 minutes and moving to 11:00 p.m. in September 1963. Production shifted to CFTO-TV in in 1966, coinciding with Harvey Kirck assuming the primary anchor role after joining in late 1963; that year also saw the launch of W5, CTV's pioneering magazine. Network expansion added affiliates like CJON-TV in St. John's and CKCO-TV in Kitchener by 1964, reaching about 70% of English-speaking households by 1968, though financial strains and internal ownership disputes among stations persisted. Into the 1970s, CTV News bolstered its operations by opening bureaus in , , and Halifax between 1972 and 1975, alongside the debut of morning show in 1972. , a prominent CBC defector, joined as co-anchor with Kirck on October 18, 1976, elevating the program's national prominence until Kirck's departure in 1984. The decade brought regulatory challenges from the CRTC, including mandates for higher quotas by 1979, which strained resources amid competition from CBC and emerging U.S. imports, yet the network maintained cooperative ownership among stations.

Expansion and Key Milestones (1990s–2010s)

During the 1990s, CTV News pursued expansion amid the network's consolidation under Baton Broadcasting, which gained control by , enabling focused development of specialty news programming. A pivotal milestone was the October 17, 1997, launch of CTV News 1, Canada's inaugural English-language 24-hour all-news cable channel, initially operating on a 15-minute repeating news wheel to provide continuous headline updates, weather, and information. Renamed CTV Newsnet in 1999, the channel broadened its scope to include ticker updates and occasional live inserts, marking CTV's entry into round-the-clock news dissemination and competing with emerging trends. The early 2000s saw substantial investment in global reporting capacity following BCE's 2000 acquisition of CTV, which stabilized finances and funded infrastructure growth. In April 2001, CTV News announced plans to open five new international bureaus—in , , , , and —set to activate that fall, expanding the total foreign network to 10 alongside established outposts in , , , , and . This initiative, coupled with hiring 15 specialized beats reporters for topics like health, environment, and technology, enhanced CTV's capacity for in-depth international coverage and positioned it as Canada's most extensive private news gathering operation abroad at the time. Into the 2010s, CTV News emphasized format evolution and multi-platform integration. On May 26, 2009, CTV Newsnet rebranded as CTV News Channel, amending CRTC conditions to permit flexible live programming over rigid wheels, thereby improving responsiveness to breaking events like the and 2010 Vancouver Olympics coverage. Digital initiatives accelerated, with CTVNews.ca evolving into a comprehensive online hub offering video clips, live streams, and interactive features by mid-decade, while the 2017 rollout of weekday 5 p.m. local newscasts across multiple markets added 35 hours of original weekly production, bolstering regional engagement amid rising . These steps reflected adaptation to fragmented audiences, though later fiscal pressures led to some bureau consolidations.

Ownership Changes and Recent Challenges (2010s–Present)

In September 2010, announced its agreement to acquire the remaining shares of CTVglobemedia Inc. for approximately $1.3 billion CAD, gaining full ownership of the , including its news division. The Canadian Radio-television and Commission (CRTC) approved the transaction in March 2011, leading to the rebranding of CTVglobemedia as on April 1, 2011, with CTV News operating as a key component under this subsidiary of Since the acquisition, CTV News has faced ongoing operational challenges amid broader shifts in the media landscape, including declining traditional television viewership and advertising revenues. , citing financial pressures, implemented significant workforce reductions, including approximately 1,300 media jobs cut in June 2023. These challenges intensified in early , when BCE announced plans to eliminate 4,800 positions across the company—about 9% of its workforce—including cuts at that affected hundreds of journalists and ended most local noon and weekend newscasts on CTV stations. The union reported that around 800 of its members were laid off in the process, with roughly 100 from the media sector. Further reductions followed, with eliminating 98 jobs—primarily in service and corporate departments—via layoffs and buyouts in February 2025. The cuts drew political scrutiny, including criticism from Canada's federal heritage minister over the impact on local journalism and programming. also divested 45 radio stations as part of its restructuring efforts to streamline operations. These measures reflect broader industry pressures from digital competition and , though has maintained its role as a primary national broadcaster under ownership.

Organizational Structure and Operations

News Bureaus and Correspondents

CTV News maintains its primary national news operations from headquarters in Scarborough, , , at , which serves as the hub for CTV News Channel and national broadcasts. A key domestic bureau is located in at 100 Queen Street, focusing on federal politics and parliamentary coverage through dedicated reporters and producers. Local bureaus operate in conjunction with CTV Television Network affiliates across , including , , , , and Halifax, enabling region-specific reporting integrated into national programming. For instance, CTV News Vancouver Island runs bureaus in Victoria (headquarters), (mid-island), and additional sites for coastal coverage. Internationally, CTV News has significantly scaled back its physical presence amid cost-cutting measures, closing bureaus in cities such as , , and in recent years, reducing from around 10 global outposts to a minimal footprint by 2024. The bureau persists as a core international operation, staffed for U.S. political and policy reporting, with on-site correspondents contributing to coverage of American elections and bilateral Canada-U.S. relations. Among prominent correspondents, holds the role of Chief Political Correspondent, based in and hosting while analyzing federal developments. Rachel Aiello functions as National Correspondent, delivering in-depth reports on domestic issues from various Canadian locales. Joy Malbon leads as Washington Bureau Chief, with over two decades of experience covering U.S. affairs, , and stories since joining CTV in 1990. In April 2025, was named Chief Financial Correspondent, bolstering economic analysis drawn from her prior work at and . These roles support a broader of approximately 450 employees across operations, emphasizing specialized beats like , , and .

Key Personnel and Anchors

Richard Gray serves as Vice-President of CTV News, overseeing editorial and operational aspects of the division within . is the Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor of , the flagship evening newscast, a role he assumed on September 5, 2022, following Lisa LaFlamme's departure. Sandie Rinaldo anchors CTV National News at 5:30 p.m. weekdays, an early evening edition she has led since transitioning from her long-standing weekend anchor position; she joined CTV in 1973 and marked 50 years with the network in 2023. Heather Butts anchors CTV National News weekend broadcasts, providing coverage as a substitute for weekdays when needed. Vassy Kapelos hosts , CTV News Channel's weekday political program at 5 p.m. ET, and serves as chief political correspondent, roles expanded in November 2022. Other prominent on-air figures include Joy Malbon, Washington Bureau Chief for , contributing U.S.-focused reporting.

Production and Technical Infrastructure

CTV News maintains its primary production facilities at Bell Media's studios in , including the headquarters at 299 Queen Street West and the Agincourt complex at in Scarborough, where operations for networks like CTV News Channel and have consolidated as of November 2024. These sites house integrated newsrooms equipped for multi-platform output, supporting national broadcasts such as and 24-hour coverage on CTV News Channel. Technical infrastructure emphasizes high-definition video production, with HXC-FB80 HD studio cameras deployed in regional setups like , enabling remote control from via fiber-connected CCUs, optical filters for light adaptation, and gamma adjustments for precise tonal control. Audio systems incorporate Solution-D digital microphones, valued for their consistent fidelity and simplified setup in live environments. Routing and switching rely on Evertz HD2020 systems for processing multiple audio-video sources, while graphics integration includes Bannister Lake's Chameleon platform for tickers and video walls using LCD arrays. The CTV News Network studio, updated in 2017 at the Scarborough facility, features modular LED-lit sets optimized for dynamic news delivery. To enhance efficiency, CTV News shifted toward videojournalist workflows in , equipping reporters with portable cameras and tools for self-produced segments, reducing reliance on dedicated crews. Regional adaptations include sets, such as the one unveiled by CTV News in September 2025 following a 2024 flood that damaged prior equipment. Aerial capabilities support live reporting via dedicated helicopters, like the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, integrated into broader field production for real-time visuals. Early 2010s upgrades incorporated Harris newsroom systems for streamlined across stations.

Programming

National News Broadcasts

CTV National News serves as the cornerstone of CTV's national news programming, delivering daily broadcasts of Canadian and international affairs across the . The flagship weekday edition airs at 11:00 p.m. ET, typically spanning including national headlines, in-depth reporting, and analysis from correspondents in major bureaus. Omar Sachedina has anchored the late-evening edition as chief news anchor and senior editor since September 5, 2022, succeeding Lisa LaFlamme following her departure amid reported internal disputes at Bell Media. Sachedina, who joined CTV in 2009 as a Toronto correspondent before covering Parliament Hill, oversees editorial direction and leads coverage of breaking stories, policy developments, and global events. A supplementary early-evening edition launched on November 13, 2023, airing weekdays at 5:30 p.m. ET for 30 minutes and anchored by , a CTV since 1981 who previously handled weekend duties. This format emphasizes timely updates on daytime developments, competing directly with rivals like Global National's 5:30 p.m. slot. Weekend broadcasts maintain the 11:00 p.m. ET slot, with Heather Butts appointed anchor in December 2023 after Rinaldo's shift to weekdays; Butts, with prior experience in local CTV markets, focuses on synthesizing weekly events into concise segments. Originating as a 15-minute program on , 1962, at 10:30 p.m. to avoid direct competition with CBC, CTV National News expanded in duration and scope amid CTV's growth, incorporating live field reports and investigative elements by the . Special extended editions occur for elections, crises, and major announcements, drawing on the network's 30+ bureaus for real-time sourcing.

Local and Regional Coverage

CTV News provides local and regional coverage through a network of owned-and-operated television stations and affiliates spanning major Canadian markets, including (CFTO-DT), (CIVT-DT), (CFCN-DT), , , , , and smaller regions like . These stations air dedicated local newscasts focusing on community-specific events, weather, traffic, and breaking stories, such as CTV News at Six in and , which deliver evening updates on regional developments. Local programming emphasizes hyper-local content, including municipal politics, public safety incidents, and cultural events, with examples like CTV Your Morning providing weekday morning segments on traffic and lifestyle from 6 to 9 a.m. In June 2017, CTV expanded its local offerings with the launch of CTV News at Five, a weekday newscast airing at 5 p.m. across all CTV stations, designed to offer distinct, regionally tailored reporting distinct from national feeds, such as Toronto-specific segments integrated with CP24 coverage. This initiative aimed to bolster viewer engagement in competitive markets by prioritizing stories like provincial policy impacts and regional economic updates. Regional affiliates in areas without full O&Os, such as parts of Atlantic Canada and Saskatchewan, receive customized inserts or feeds from nearby hubs to ensure coverage reaches smaller communities. Digital extensions complement broadcast efforts, with CTVNews.ca featuring dedicated regional hubs—e.g., for , , and —that aggregate videos, live updates, and investigative pieces on issues like wildfires or infrastructure projects. In remote areas, such as , late-night newscasts like CTV News at 11:30 p.m. cover underserved stories, including resource sector news and indigenous community affairs. Overall, these efforts position CTV as Canada's most-viewed provider, drawing from on-the-ground reporters to maintain relevance amid declining traditional viewership.

24-Hour News and Specialty Programming

CTV News Channel, launched on October 17, 1997, as CTV News 1, operates as Canada's primary 24-hour all-news television network, providing continuous coverage of national and international events through live updates, , and analysis drawn from CTV News resources. The channel rebranded from its earlier iteration, CTV Newsnet (licensed in 1996), to CTV News Channel on May 26, 2009, emphasizing expanded programming beyond looped headlines to include in-depth reporting and expert commentary. Its schedule features hourly simulcasts of , weekend editions, and segments like Taking Stock for market analysis, ensuring round-the-clock accessibility via cable, satellite, and streaming platforms owned by . Specialty programming on CTV News Channel includes , a weekday political affairs show hosted by since 2020, airing at 5:00 p.m. ET and focusing on interviews with key political figures, policy debates, and Ottawa-centric analysis to dissect Canada's political landscape. Complementing this, W5 serves as CTV's flagship series, originating in 1966 as one of North America's longest-running current affairs programs, with episodes broadcast on the main CTV network but often featuring content integrated into News Channel specials for extended scrutiny of social, economic, and ethical issues. These formats prioritize empirical reporting over opinion, though critics have noted occasional alignment with establishment narratives in coverage of contentious topics like government policy. The channel's overnight and early-morning blocks loop core news feeds, such as CTV News Overnight and regional headlines, adapting to real-time events while maintaining a focus on verifiable facts from on-the-ground correspondents, distinguishing it from competitors by leveraging CTV's extensive bureau network for timely, Canada-specific insights. In 2023, amid trends, CTV News Channel reported stable viewership through multi-platform distribution, with digital streams enhancing reach for specialty segments amid a shift toward on-demand consumption.

Digital and Multi-Platform Presence

Online Platforms and CTVNews.ca

CTVNews.ca serves as the central digital platform for CTV News, delivering continuous coverage of , in-depth reporting, and content on topics including Canadian , international affairs, , , and . The site integrates live feeds such as "Happening Now," which provides real-time headline updates, alongside dedicated video sections featuring top stories, interviews, and analysis clips updated daily. CTV News extends its reach through active engagement on multiple channels, including for extended video content, X (formerly ) for rapid updates, for shorter-form clips targeting younger audiences, and platforms like , , Telegram, and for community interaction and niche distribution. This multi-channel approach supports real-time dissemination during major events, such as federal elections, where digital platforms amplify broadcast coverage to broader online audiences. The CTV News mobile application, available on devices with over 219,000 user ratings averaging 4.4 stars as of recent data, offers personalized access to local, national, and feeds, push notifications for breaking developments, and integrated video streaming to facilitate consumption across devices. As part of 's overarching digital initiatives, these online assets incorporate addressable advertising capabilities introduced since fall 2023, enabling targeted delivery across TV, digital, and out-of-home formats to adapt to shifting viewer behaviors and advertiser demands. emphasizes news content as a of its digital growth strategy, leveraging these platforms to maintain relevance amid cord-cutting trends and increased online news consumption.

Interactive and Personalized Services

CTV News offers interactive and personalized services through its and CTVNews.ca platform, emphasizing user-selected content delivery. The CTV News app allows users to customize their feeds by choosing specific topics, such as , , or sports, and regional preferences, including local coverage from major Canadian cities like , , , and . This feature enables delivery of news deemed most relevant to individual users, with options for both national and international updates. On January 14, 2025, CTV News launched an updated app alongside a redesigned CTVNews.ca digital experience, focusing on enhanced interactivity for access and personalized engagement. The app, available for free on and Android, supports push notifications for real-time alerts on selected stories, facilitating immediate user interaction without reliance on external platforms. Additional personalization includes subscriptions, where users can opt into digests tailored to preferred categories, ensuring curated content delivery outside of app sessions. These services prioritize user-driven customization over algorithmic recommendations, with the app maintaining a 4.1-star rating on based on over 21,000 reviews as of October 2025. While interactive elements like polls or live chats are not prominently featured, the platform's tools support ongoing adaptation to user-specified interests amid evolving digital news consumption.

Mobile and Emerging Media Adaptations

CTV News introduced a redesigned mobile application on January 14, 2025, emphasizing user personalization and streamlined access to content across devices. The app includes features such as customizable news feeds by topic and region, push notifications for breaking stories, adjustable font sizes for , and integrated video playback for live and on-demand clips. Available on both and Android, it has garnered user ratings of approximately 4.1 to 4.4 stars, reflecting broad adoption for consuming local, national, and international coverage on smartphones and tablets. To adapt to emerging media trends, CTV News has expanded into short-form video distribution on platforms like , , and , where it shares condensed news segments, explainer clips, and real-time updates to engage younger audiences accustomed to formats. This strategy complements traditional broadcasting by leveraging algorithmic distribution for viral reach, with content often cross-promoted from CTVNews.ca's video library, which hosts thousands of clips updated daily. The network also maintains channels on for extended interviews and podcasts tied to programs like The Social, enabling audio-visual consumption via mobile streaming services. These adaptations prioritize cross-platform compatibility, including integration with smart assistants for voice-activated news briefs and compatibility with wearable devices for audio alerts, though metrics on remain tied to overall digital traffic rather than isolated mobile metrics. By January 2025, the app's rollout coincided with broader investments in data-driven , aiming to retain viewers amid declining linear TV audiences shifting to on-the-go consumption.

Reception and Influence

Viewership Metrics and Market Position

CTV News maintains a leading position in Canadian television news viewership, with consistently ranking as the country's top-rated national news program based on measurements across total viewers and key demographics such as adults 25-54. For the broadcast year to date through weeks 3-34 of 2024 (September 9 onward), outperformed competitors in prime viewing slots, contributing to CTV's overall status as 's most-watched conventional network for 24 consecutive years. This dominance extends to major events, such as the April 2025 federal election coverage, where CTV News specials reached 9.1 million unique Canadian viewers—28% more than the nearest rival—while overnight audiences for CTV's "Canada Votes" programming averaged 894,000 viewers. In the broader market, CTV News benefits from its affiliation with , Canada's largest private broadcaster, which bolsters its reach across conventional , where CTV commands the highest share among English-language networks. data for summer 2025 indicates CTV Total as the leading national conventional station, with 54.1% of total viewing occurring on conventional channels amid a decline in overall linear consumption to 12.6 hours per week for aged 2+. Compared to public broadcaster CBC (18.2% trust rating) and private rival , CTV News holds a 27.1% trust advantage per the , reflecting stronger audience loyalty in a fragmented media landscape increasingly challenged by streaming and digital alternatives. Historical ratings for , such as average minute audiences exceeding 800,000 in 2022 episodes, underscore sustained performance despite anchor transitions and industry shifts.

Awards, Accolades, and Journalistic Impact

CTV News has received numerous recognitions from Canadian and international organizations, particularly through regional and national awards for excellence in reporting, newscasts, and investigative work. The Radio-Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Canada has frequently honored CTV affiliates, with CTV News securing six awards in 2025 for categories including best newscast, , and . Similarly, CTV News Atlantic earned seven RTDNA East Region awards in 2025, encompassing lifetime achievement for Bruce Frisko alongside program honors. CTV News and Kitchener each won two RTDNA awards in the same year, recognizing and newscast quality. In broader national competitions, with won the Canadian Screen Award for Best National Newscast in 2025, as awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, highlighting consistent excellence in flagship evening broadcasts. The program received the same honor in 2024. Internationally, claimed three Awards in 2025 from the Radio Television Digital News Association for investigative and digital reporting. Earlier, in 2020, two CTV investigations earned Murrow recognition for excellence in probing public issues. CTV's journalistic impact stems from its investigative arm, W5, which has produced in-depth reports influencing policy and public discourse since its inception as a standalone program, later integrated into CTV News operations. Reporter Joseph Loiero's exposés, for instance, prompted official probes into potential wrongful deaths, regulatory bans on predatory consumer tactics in , and closures of non-compliant operations. Coverage by CTV News of unmarked graves at former residential schools in garnered a 2021 RTDNA award and amplified national attention to Indigenous efforts. Such reporting has contributed to CTV's role in shaping Canadian media standards, though its influence is often measured through viewership leadership rather than quantified policy shifts.

Competitive Landscape and Industry Role

CTV News competes primarily with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's (CBC) news division and , operated by , in the English-language television news sector. As the news arm of Canada's largest private broadcast network, CTV holds a dominant market position, with its national newscasts consistently outperforming rivals in audience size; for instance, in the 2019-2020 television season, CTV was the most-watched network for the 19th consecutive year, drawing 1.6 million viewers to CTV News at Six across , leading in all major diary markets. During the 2025 federal election coverage, CTV topped conventional network ratings, underscoring its edge in live event viewership over CBC and Global. Trust metrics further highlight CTV's competitive strength, with a 2023 TVQ naming it Canada's most trusted news source at 27.1% viewer preference, compared to CBC's 18.2%; the Institute Digital News Report for 2024 similarly ranked CTV News highest in usage among major outlets at 66% awareness and 19% weekly engagement, ahead of CBC (63% awareness, 20% engagement) and Global. In digital realms, CTVNews.ca faces rivalry from print-digital hybrids like , but maintains strong traffic positioning within Bell Media's ecosystem. As a subsidiary of Bell Media under BCE Inc., CTV News occupies a pivotal role in Canada's concentrated media industry, operating 35 local stations and serving as the flagship for private-sector English news dissemination, with a weekly audience reach of 28% as of 2025. This positions it as a counterweight to the publicly funded CBC, influencing policy debates, election coverage, and regional narratives through integrated TV, radio, and digital platforms amid broader sector pressures like declining ad revenues and digital shifts. Bell Media's ownership enables synergies with telecom assets, bolstering CTV's adaptation to connected TV (CTV) and free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channels, where news content drives subscriber retention and diversification.

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Ideological Bias

CTV News has faced allegations of left-leaning ideological bias, particularly from conservative commentators and politicians who claim the network disproportionately favors Canada's Liberal Party and misrepresents Conservative Leader . In September 2024, CTV aired an edited clip of Poilievre during a segment on a Conservative non-confidence motion, altering his statement "That's why it's time to put forward a motion for a election" to imply opposition to the Liberal dental care program, thereby distorting his position on the policy. CTV issued an unreserved apology, attributing the error to an editing misunderstanding, and subsequently dismissed two staff members involved, but Poilievre denounced the clip as "fraudulent" and directed Conservative MPs to limit engagement with the network. Similar criticisms arose in a January 2021 Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) ruling, which found CTV in breach of accuracy standards for misrepresenting a comment on the during a report, though the council determined it did not constitute overt bias under journalistic ethics codes. Conservative outlets argued the incident reflected a pattern of selective framing unfavorable to right-leaning figures. In March 2025, CTV cancelled a segment on election following online backlash from Poilievre's supporters, prompting accusations from left-leaning sources that the decision caved to conservative pressure, while others viewed the segment's focus as inherently biased against right-wing claims. Counter-allegations of pro-Israel or corporate bias have emerged from progressive and pro-Palestinian advocates, who claim CTV suppresses critical coverage of Israel's Gaza operations. Reports from November 2023 allege CTV instructed journalists to avoid the term "Palestine," rejected stories on pro-Palestinian rallies, and fostered a "culture of fear" around Israel-related reporting, with analysis showing 62% more Israeli voices than Palestinian ones in Gaza coverage and instances of stereotypical language about Arabs. These claims align with broader critiques of Canadian media's corporate influences, including lobbyist dominance on panels. Independent bias assessments, such as Media Bias/Fact Check's December 2024 rating of CTV as "Least Biased" with high factual reporting due to balanced selection and minimal emotive language, contrast with these partisan complaints, though such ratings have faced scrutiny for overlooking systemic cultural leanings in Canadian journalism. A former CTV journalist's October 2024 departure highlighted internal concerns over transparency and editorial constraints, framing it as a stand against pressures compromising journalistic integrity, though without specifying partisan slant. Overall, while empirical incidents like editing errors provide evidence of potential selective —particularly against conservatives—allegations remain contested, with CTV maintaining operations amid ongoing from regulatory bodies like the CBSC.

Incidents of Editing and Factual Errors

In September 2024, CTV News aired a manipulated video clip during a national broadcast that misrepresented Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's remarks on a potential non-confidence motion against the federal dental care plan. The edited footage spliced Poilievre's comments to imply the Conservatives aimed to halt the program entirely, omitting context that clarified their intent to force a vote on related fiscal policies. Following an internal investigation, CTV terminated two staff members involved, stating they had violated editorial standards by altering the clip without disclosure. Poilievre publicly criticized the incident as deliberate misrepresentation, prompting scrutiny of CTV's editing practices amid broader allegations of political bias in Canadian media. On August 15, 2024, CTV News reported that Israeli airstrikes had killed 49 Palestinian civilians in Gaza, a claim later retracted on-air after verification revealed no supporting evidence from Gaza health authorities or other outlets. The correction, prompted by advocacy group Honest Reporting Canada, acknowledged the initial broadcast's inaccuracy without specifying the source of the erroneous figure. In December 2023, CTV similarly issued an apology for multiple on-air statements claiming Israeli forces killed two Lebanese soldiers in cross-border fire, after evidence confirmed the deaths resulted from Lebanese army mishandling of ammunition, not Israeli action. Additional corrections include a 2025 on-air apology by CTV News host for describing Israel's Gaza operations as a "genocidal campaign," following complaints that the phrasing breached standards of objectivity. CTV has occasionally addressed domestic reporting errors, such as in October 2024 coverage criticized for unsubstantiated assertions about Poilievre's political intentions, though defended much of its output while emphasizing internal reviews. These incidents highlight recurring challenges in verifying international claims amid rapid cycles and the influence of advocacy-driven corrections, with CTV's responses typically limited to staff actions or brief retractions rather than systemic reforms.

Responses, Reforms, and Regulatory Scrutiny

In September 2024, CTV News issued a public apology after broadcasting an edited clip of Conservative Leader that misleadingly implied he intended to halt the federal dental care plan via a non-confidence motion, when his actual statement addressed broader fiscal concerns. The network confirmed that the two staff members responsible for the alteration were no longer employed, stating the edit violated internal standards. CTV News maintains an editorial policy committing to prompt corrections of significant factual errors, with online articles updated and explanations added to affected stories, while broadcast errors require on-air rectification per Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) guidelines established in rulings such as a 2013 decision mandating airtime for corrections of televised inaccuracies. Verification processes emphasize multiple source corroboration and skepticism toward unverified claims, aligned with Radio-Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and CAB codes. The CBSC has scrutinized CTV content multiple times for accuracy and fairness breaches, upholding complaints in September 2023 against W5 episodes for incomplete and misleading information on affairs topics without adequate correction. In January 2021, the CBSC ruled that a segment misrepresented statements by former U.S. President , violating journalistic codes on accuracy. These adjudications enforce industry standards under voluntary codes overseen by the CBSC, distinct from CRTC licensing, with no mandatory fines but rulings requiring broadcaster responses like rebroadcasts of corrections. No large-scale internal reforms to CTV's news operations have been publicly announced following these incidents, though the network participates in transparency initiatives like The Trust Project and fields public complaints via dedicated channels for potential editorial adjustments. In March 2025, CTV discontinued a morning show segment election-related claims amid backlash from Conservative supporters, framing it as a programming decision rather than a policy overhaul.

References

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