Ottawa News Icon Max Keeping Announces Retirement

Summary: CTV News’ Graham Richardson to replace Keeping as Anchor of Ottawa’s CTV NEWS AT SIX with Carol Anne Meehan

After 51 years in journalism, veteran newsman Max Keeping is stepping down as Vice-President of News and Anchor of CTV Ottawa’s flagship newscast. Keeping’s last day is set for March 31, 2010 at which time he will become CTV Ottawa’s Community Ambassador. Graham Richardson will replace Keeping at the anchor desk along side Keeping’s long-time co-anchor Carol Anne Meehan.

** Media Note ** Download photos of Max Keeping and Graham Richardson at ctvmedia.ca

“Max Keeping is the greatest news anchor that the Ottawa and Seaway Valleys ever had,” said Robert Hurst, President CTV News. “He is a beacon in the community and has touched thousands of people through his work on-air, with various charities, service groups, neighbourhoods, and schools. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues at CTV and his viewers.”

Keeping and his CTV News team have dominated the news ratings in the region (Ottawa, the Ottawa and Seaway Valleys, and Outaouais) for three decades. Keeping is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario and was awarded Honourary Doctorates by the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. He has received the Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship, the 2004 Ottawa United Way's Community Builder of the Year, a 2003 Gemini, and dozens of other awards and accolades. In addition, a new wing of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is named in Keeping’s honour. Keeping is also a member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame and he has also helped raise more than $100-million for charities during his 37 years at CTV Ottawa.

“Max Keeping is more than a news anchor,” said Louis Douville, Vice-President and General Manager CTV Ottawa. “He has served this newsroom and the community with his time, energy, and enthusiasm and the success of this station is due in large part to his leadership in our newsroom. It has been a privilege to work alongside him.”

“I’m hardly going to retire; I will continue to give my time to the countless community events and programs that do much good works in our community,” said Max Keeping. “This anchor chair has been my second home for 37 years and I know that I am leaving the viewers in good hands with Carol Anne and Graham.”

Graham Richardson has nearly 20 years experience as an award-winning journalist covering news across Canada and around the world. He has been working in Ottawa for the past three years as CTV News’ Parliamentary Correspondent covering the news on Parliament Hill and traveling extensively to bring Canadians some of the best political coverage in the country. Richardson has served as back-up anchor for CTV NEWS CHANNEL, CANADA AM, and CTV News Channel’s POWER PLAY. Prior to his move to Ottawa, Richardson spent nearly two years as CTV’s Los Angeles Bureau Chief. From his post in Southern California, Richardson was dispatched to report on Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, the Michael Jackson trial, the Academy Awards and the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Before his posting in Los Angeles, Richardson spent four years at Queen’s Park. Richardson graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, and when he’s not on the ice volunteering with his two son’s hockey teams, he likes to spend as much downtime as possible along the shores of Bob’s Lake, near Westport with his wife and family

“Ottawa is my home now and I’m thrilled to be joining the Capitals’ leading news team in a region that I love,” said Graham Richardson. ”Max can never really be replaced. But with Carol Anne's help, I'm going to work as hard as I can to continue to build on his incredible record of service to this community."

Keeping will continue his role as co-anchor CTV NEWS AT SIX until the end of March; viewers will begin to see more of Richardson beginning in January 2010 on the 6 p.m. newscast as he becomes a regular face at the anchor desk.

CTV, Canada’s Olympic Network, is also Canada's largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada’s most-watched television network. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country and owns or has interests in leading national specialty channels, featuring news, sports, factual, arts, entertainment, music, youth and fashion programming. CTV Inc. is owned by CTVglobemedia Inc.Canada’s premier multi-media company, which also owns Canada’s national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. CTV is the official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

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