CHEK News is pleased to announce award-winning, veteran broadcast journalist Ben O’Hara-Byrne will join Canada’s only employee-owned TV station as the anchor and producer of a new six p.m. newscast, launching October 5th.
“We’re proud to have someone of Ben’s caliber join the CHEK News team,” said Rob Germain, News Director and Digital Manager, CHEK News. “Vancouver Island residents have a keen interest in local news but also want to know how national and international events affect them. Ben is uniquely qualified to deliver a first-hand perspective.”
O`Hara-Byrne brings over 15 years of international journalism experience to Vancouver Island. A journalism graduate from Concordia University, who also has an undergraduate degree in political science, O’Hara-Byrne has covered politics and foreign affairs for two Canadian national TV networks. As Bureau Chief in London, he traveled throughout Europe providing extensive coverage on international events such as the 2012 London Olympics, the resignation of Pope Benedict, the terrorist attacks in Paris in January, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As a reporter based in China, O’Hara-Byrne covered major stories throughout Asia and the wider region. He reported from Beijing, Afghanistan, Libya, North Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Russia.
In response to continued interest from Island viewers in local news, CHEK News is launching a new, locally produced newscast, CHEK News at 6. The program will showcase the day`s significant news and be in addition to the Island’s most watched newscast, CHEK News at 5. O’Hara-Byrne will also anchor the station’s late newscast, CHEK News at 10.
“I am looking forward to returning home to Canada and I am particularly excited to be joining the great team at CHEK,” he said, “the station’s recent history is testament to their dedication and deep commitment to providing the very best in local coverage to their viewers.”
O’Hara-Byrne began his career in Montreal and Toronto as a local reporter. He covered Parliament Hill in Ottawa for several years before moving to international reporting as a network bureau chief.
O`Hara-Byrne is the winner of several journalism awards including the Radio Television Digital News Association Network Spot News award; the Edward R. Murrow award and a Gemini nomination for best reporting for coverage on the Dawson College shootings in Montreal.
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So does this mean that CBC News: Vancouver is being dropped entirely by CHEK?
Who does the 5pm?
Interesting that they’re going back to a local 6pm. I always thought their broadcast of CBC Vancouver at 6 was just handing the hour to CTV Vancouver Island. I’ve never seen ratings so I don’t know if that’s the case. But anyways, seems this is all a good move on CHEK’s part.