CTV News Montreal

Updated: Wed Jan. 18 2012 8:32:12 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

MONTREAL — CTV Montreal confirmed Wednesday evening that Paul Karwatsky has been named the permanent co-anchor of its flagship 6 p.m. newscast.

Karwatsky, who was born and raised in Montreal, has been anchoring the weekend news at 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. for the last three years.

Two weeks ago Karwatsky was put into the saddle as interim anchor alongside Mutsumi Takahashi on the noon and six p.m. weekday newscasts.

There was no time to get the Interim title printed on his business card because, as Jed Kahane, the station's Director of News and Public Affairs noted, audiences immediately responded favourably to his work alongside Takahashi.

"Paul is a native Montrealer with a passion for news, this city and the province," said Kahane. "His authenticity and credibility have always resonated with our viewers, and we are delighted to see him step into this new position and this new challenge".

Karwatsky's connections to the community run deep, having been raised in the St-Leonard area in a family with roots in the city's Ukrainian population. He studied journalism and political science at Concordia and joined the CTV team as reporter in 2005, covering everything from elections to organized crime.

"I've been at CTV for seven years, but really I've been connected to the station my entire life, as a viewer," said Karwatsky.

"To have the opportunity to step into this position is an incredible honor, but also a great challenge as a journalist who takes his responsibility to the public very seriously."

His co-anchor is thrilled with the choice of Karwatsky, who replaces Todd van der Heyden, the longtime co-anchor who recently joined the CTV team in Toronto.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be working alongside Paul," said Mutsumi Takahashi. "I've come to know him not only as a good friend, but as an outstanding journalist and I think he'll bring new energy and a new perspective to our newscasts."

Finding talent from within was a priority for CTV brass, as it strives to maintain the sense of connectedness that has helped it remain so popular within the Montreal viewership.

"Continuity is one of the great strengths of CTV Montreal," said incoming Vice-President and General Manager Louis Douville. "So being able to look to our own staff and promote from within is something I think our viewers will embrace. Paul knows our audience well, and they know him."

Karwatsky, a 31-year-old father of two young children, continues the legacy of youthful anchors at the station, having replaced Todd van der Heyden, who is also in his thirties.

Karwatsky's wide range of interests include traveling the world, but he has now put backpacking on hold to take on the adventure of anchoring the city's longstanding leading English language TV news broadcast.

Comments are now closed for this story

Cristina Notturno
Congrats Paul. I look forward to watching the 6'oclock news. You are a definite asset. I also enjoy Mitsumi despite some of the negative comments. You are both doing a great job.
Cristina

Mr John.
@ CTV editor.....
Could one of you explain to many who do not know the differences between reporters.Many think that they are all the same and just do any job thrown at them.I am sure you could explain the difference between a news journalist reporter,weather reporters and sports reporting.
Thanks.

Mrs.M.C.
Please to see you @ weekdays & nigths news decks"

Helga Laval
Comment not approved

Adrian
Congratulations Paul

You've done a great job getting there, and I wish you all the best!

Dorinda Coolon
Good choice. He does a great job.

Steve in Vaudreuil
Congrats Paul, wishing you continued success. Great choice CTV Montreal!

sandra
Dear Georges, please leave Randy alone, he does a great job and makes me laugh.

sandra
Congrats Paul,I'm sure you will do a wonderful job.

Fed up in Mtl.
Congrats Paul ! You and Mutsumi already have a great rapport.CTV understands what "continuity" means. Have been with CTV since day 1. Kudos !!

MinHemmingford
Congrats Paul! I am really happy that the job went to a Montrealer.

Maury Finkelstein
Love the new duo! I bet Todd won't last a year or more on CTV's main network before they see through him like the Montreal audience did. He's about as enjoyable to watch as back to back episodes of Steven and Chris!

Janna
Great team! My instincts about Van-der Hayden was that he was arrogant, full of himself and a mega phony-baloney. I don't get that feeling from Paul or Mutsumi. They seem good as a pairing. Todd definitely belongs in Toronto or as they like to call it the "GTA". rolling my eyes!

Millicent Wendy
I think Paul is an excellent choice and a very respectful and dignified gentleman. Mutsumi is terrific and I love her compassion towards animal welfare in her many of her past reports. I think they make a great team and I certainly am glad they have moved on minus Todd who was not particularly someone I enjoyed watching. This is a team that sends a positive vibe and just what ctv Montreal needs.

Deborah Ann
Congratulations Paul you are doing a great job. Now if you can get Mutsumi to smile that would top the cake. Keep up the good work.

Bill Brownl
Congratulations - I could not be happier with this nomination of a most talented and likeable newscaster. We the viewers are the big winners here.

georges
congrats! you deserve it, you work well behind the desk.

Now maybe CTV will think of changing Randy - come on now it's time for him to go! Great guy I'm sure, but it's time for a change, need someone young and energetic behind there...

Domenic
Great Paul, who said east end guys don't have it.
In your face west islanders.

pm
Congratulation Mr. Paul Karwatsky!!

Susan B
Great News! You know how to deliver the news, and at the same time you know how to be funny but not cauky.. Who knows maybe you'll be the next Bill Haugland???

Connie Messina
@Kate judge much?

kate
Comment removed

kate
Congratulations on choosing Paul Karwatsky to replace Todd. He is 100% improvement over the self-absorbed, obsessed with Lauri, toupee wearing Todd and his pained expression(regardless of the topic, Todd always had his eyebrows twisted in a pained expression and his mouth in a tight downturn.) Pul is so much more professional, cool and a pleasure to watch. Thank you, thank you!
Now if you could only get Mutsumi to stop twisting her head in an unnatural position as she looks at her co-anchor,( she thinks that's her good side I guess)I will be one happy viewer.

GDC
I thought it was already definite once you first sat there at 6 pm. Why would that have been on an interim basis? You definitely fit in, and I cannot belive you're only 31!! It's great to see someone there that we all recognize and not plucked someone from another city/province. It makes sence to promote from within.

Congrats, you deserve it!!

Chris Eustace
January 19, 2012

Congratulations, Paul.

All the best,

Chris Eustace

Christina
congrats Paul! I was hoping it would be him!!!

LONGO MRS. JEAN
CONGRATULATIONS PAUL, I WAS HOPING THAT IT WOULD BE YOU ALL ALONG, YOU FIT IN THERE AS IF YOU HAD BEEN THERE FOR MANY YEARS. THE 4 OF YOU AT NIGHT ARE A GREAT TEAM. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING PULSE NEWS FOR 40 YEARS. ITS MY STATION AND THE PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAKE IT ALL WORTH WHILE. FANTASTIC THEY MADE A VERY GOOD CHOICE,

MRS. JEAN LONGO

Marianna
Congratulations Paul, well deserved, you were great to watch on the weekend and now you will be great to watch all week. You will do a great job. Good Luck & All the best!!!!!!

LorraineH
I was just wondering why they didn't just give you the job - you have been doing a great job.

Congratulations.

Carlos
Congratulations! Good Luck!

nathalie C
Yeah!!! Great choice CTV! Congrats Paul! Love the new dynamic energy at 6 pm :)

GUS
Good Luck Paul,Well deseved!!

Tina
It has been a long time that I felt PAUL belonged there... FINALLY it all feels right. Congrats!

Brian
Like they have a choice, it was an easy decision. Well deserved! Now let's count how many weeks Paul and Mutsumi will be solo anchoring. I'm sure it'll be less than when it was Todd & Mutsumi. You can see Paul & Mutsumi both get along. Congrats Paul!

So will it be Rob Lurie co-anchoring the weekend news with Tarah Schwartz?

Vince
They should have picked Lori. She would make even the worst news look good.

Lorens Minicucci
Hello Paul,

congratulations on your new position as anchor with Mitsumi

Yea U!
Congratz Paul Karwatsky!!!!
Well deserved promotion.

Theera
Congrats!And best wishes for your continuing success.

Mala
Excellent!

Congratulations Paul, well deserved.

Susie-Q Mtl.
To Paul:-Congrats! May you have a long career at ch. 12. Good luck to you. Maybe one day you can become station manager. Hope we don't lose you like we did Debra Arbeck. It was sad to see her go. Take care of yourself. You are a wonderful news reporter. Like your style. Have a good day.

aj from montreal
Obviously, He's going to take Todd Van Der Haden's place. Anyway, Congratulations Mr. Karwatsky.

Ross
Hey Paul you and Mits make a great couple there just like Bill did when he was there good luck.

Mike Wilson
Congratulations to Paul, he is deserving of this promotion, and will be a definite asset to the CTV Montreal network.

Jerry
Excellent choice he was greatto watch on thw weekend and now a pleasure all week GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Mr John.
HEY,Hey,Hey......
Good choice....you can see and feel the difference...Bravo!!