Tony Parsons (Canadian journalist)
Encyclopedia
Tony Parsons is a longtime Canadian broadcaster whose career has spanned more than 50 years, and he has anchored the second most-watched local evening TV newscast in North America, the News Hour on CHAN-TV
in Vancouver
, British Columbia
. He currently co-anchors CBC News: Vancouver on CBUT
with Gloria Macarenko
, and the 10 PM newscast on CHEK-TV
.
He was born Anthony Parsonage in Gosport
, England
. His father was a flight-lieutenant in the Royal Air Force
. His mother was of Italian descent.
His family immigrated to Canada
from England
in 1948, settling in Feversham, Ontario
. After a year studying radio and television arts at the Ryerson Institute
in Toronto
, Parsons looked for work at Ontario radio stations and eventually shortened his name to Tony Parsons. His first broadcasting job was as a country and western DJ at CJCS
in Stratford
, Ontario
. He worked at various radio jobs in Stratford, Guelph
, and Hamilton
, before landing in Toronto
. After a brief stint with CHUM
radio, he took his first television job as a reporter at CFTO-TV
, a CTV
affiliate.
Parsons advanced to the late evening anchor at CFTO until 1975, when he jumped at the opportunity to fill the 6:00 anchor spot on CHAN-TV
(better known as BCTV) in Vancouver
, British Columbia
, where he remained for more than 30 years. He was also the anchor of the national edition of Canada Tonight
, a CHAN-produced newscast which aired outside of BC on stations owned by Western International Communications
until that company was acquired by the Global Television Network
. (Bill Good
anchored the BC version seen on BCTV.) In 2004, his career achievements were recognized by his being awarded the Bruce Hutchison
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Jack Webster
Foundation.
Parsons had a cameo in the 2001 film Saving Silverman
(also known as Evil Woman) as a TV anchor. The same year he appeared, once again as a news anchor, in the Jack Nicholson
film The Pledge.
In 2002, Parsons was named Italo-Canadian of the year by the Confratellanza Italo-Canadese.
In May 2007, Parsons announced his intention to phase himself out of the anchor chair at the Newshour, with plans to work Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the 2010 Winter Olympics
, after which he had stated his intention to retire and make documentaries.
However, on December 16, 2009, Parsons anchored his final newscast at Global BC after 35 years as anchor of the News Hour. A day earlier he had confirmed his rather sudden departure in an email to radio station CKNW. It had been expected that he would remain until after the Olympics, but for unknown reasons, Parsons left the station much earlier than expected. He was replaced by Chris Gailus
.
Parsons went to CHEK-TV
in Victoria
to anchor the 10 PM newscast starting on March 15.
On April 12, 2010, it was announced that Parsons would co-anchor CBUT
's evening newscast, CBC News: Vancouver, replacing co-anchor Ian Hanomansing
who left to work as a reporter and substitute anchor for CBC News: The National. Parsons would continue to host the 10 PM newscast for CHEK-TV. After his CBC evening broadcast, he would fly to Vancouver Island to anchor the 10 pm news on CHEK-TV.
Parsons resides in Victoria, British Columbia.
He has completed his first book called A Life in the News. On November 23 2009, he opened a Vancouver restaurant, the Poor Italian in which he has a part ownership stake.
CHAN-TV
CHAN-DT is a television station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, broadcasting over-the-air on digital channel 22, and available via cable providers in the area on channel 11. Owned by Shaw Communications as a part of its Shaw Media division, it is the West Coast flagship station of the...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He currently co-anchors CBC News: Vancouver on CBUT
CBUT
CBUT-DT is the CBC's television station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the flagship CBC Television station for the Pacific Time Zone. The station transmits its main terrestrial signal from a tower atop Mount Seymour....
with Gloria Macarenko
Gloria Macarenko
Gloria Macarenko is a Canadian journalist. Macarenko has been either sole anchor or co-anchor of CBUT's local supper-hour newscast since the late 1990s; presently she co-hosts the current iteration of this newscast, CBC News: Vancouver, weekdays from 5:00-6:30 p.m...
, and the 10 PM newscast on CHEK-TV
CHEK-TV
CHEK-DT, channel 6.1, is a television station based in Victoria, British Columbia and broadcasting to all of southwestern BC...
.
He was born Anthony Parsonage in Gosport
Gosport
Gosport is a town, district and borough situated on the south coast of England, within the county of Hampshire. It has approximately 80,000 permanent residents with a further 5,000-10,000 during the summer months...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. His father was a flight-lieutenant in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. His mother was of Italian descent.
His family immigrated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1948, settling in Feversham, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. After a year studying radio and television arts at the Ryerson Institute
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Parsons looked for work at Ontario radio stations and eventually shortened his name to Tony Parsons. His first broadcasting job was as a country and western DJ at CJCS
CJCS (AM)
CJCS is a Canadian radio station in Stratford, Ontario with an oldies format at AM 1240 kHz.The station, known as "10AK" began broadcasting in 1928 as an amateur station at 250 metres. In 1933, the station changed to 1200 kHz, moved to 1210 kHz in 1936 and then moved to its present...
in Stratford
Stratford, Ontario
Stratford is a city on the Avon River in Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada with a population of 32,000.When the area was first settled by Europeans in 1832, the townsite and the river were named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It is the seat of Perth County. Stratford was...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. He worked at various radio jobs in Stratford, Guelph
Guelph
Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city...
, and Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, before landing in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. After a brief stint with CHUM
CHUM (AM)
CHUM, branded as TSN Radio 1050, broadcasting at 1050 kHz in the AM band, is a Canadian radio station licensed to Toronto, Ontario. The station is owned and operated by Bell Media....
radio, he took his first television job as a reporter at CFTO-TV
CFTO-TV
CFTO-DT, broadcast on channel 9 and cable 8, is a television station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, owned by Bell Media. Currently branded as CTV Toronto, it is the flagship station of the CTV Television Network, and was one of the charter members of the network when it was launched in 1961. It...
, a CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
affiliate.
Parsons advanced to the late evening anchor at CFTO until 1975, when he jumped at the opportunity to fill the 6:00 anchor spot on CHAN-TV
CHAN-TV
CHAN-DT is a television station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, broadcasting over-the-air on digital channel 22, and available via cable providers in the area on channel 11. Owned by Shaw Communications as a part of its Shaw Media division, it is the West Coast flagship station of the...
(better known as BCTV) in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, where he remained for more than 30 years. He was also the anchor of the national edition of Canada Tonight
Canada Tonight
Canada Tonight was a Canadian television newscast which aired on stations owned by Western International Communications from 1993 to 2001. It was produced out of the studio of CHAN-TV in Burnaby, British Columbia. There were two versions of the newscast; the one seen outside BC was anchored by...
, a CHAN-produced newscast which aired outside of BC on stations owned by Western International Communications
Western International Communications
WIC Western International Communications Ltd.The apparent occurrence of "RAS syndrome" here was in fact part of the company's legal name. was a Canadian media company that operated from 1982 to 2000, with operations including broadcast and specialty television, radio, and satellite distribution via...
until that company was acquired by the Global Television Network
Global Television Network
Global Television Network is an English language privately owned television network in Canada, owned by Calgary-based Shaw Communications, as part of its Shaw Media division...
. (Bill Good
Bill Good
Bill Good is a Canadian television personality and CKNW radio talk show host. He formerly co-anchored the 6:00pm newscast on Vancouver's CIVT alongside Pamela Martin....
anchored the BC version seen on BCTV.) In 2004, his career achievements were recognized by his being awarded the Bruce Hutchison
Bruce Hutchison
William Bruce Hutchison, was a Canadian author and journalist.Born in Prescott, Ontario, Hutchison was educated in public schools in Victoria, British Columbia. He married Dorothy Kidd McDiarmid in 1925, around the same time that he began his journalism career as a political reporter in Ottawa...
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Jack Webster
Jack Webster
John Edgar "Jack" Webster, CM was a Scottish-born Canadian journalist, radio and television personality.-Life in the United Kingdom:...
Foundation.
Parsons had a cameo in the 2001 film Saving Silverman
Saving Silverman
Saving Silverman is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan. It stars Jason Biggs, Steve Zahn, Jack Black and Amanda Peet. Neil Diamond has a cameo role playing himself...
(also known as Evil Woman) as a TV anchor. The same year he appeared, once again as a news anchor, in the Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
film The Pledge.
In 2002, Parsons was named Italo-Canadian of the year by the Confratellanza Italo-Canadese.
In May 2007, Parsons announced his intention to phase himself out of the anchor chair at the Newshour, with plans to work Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
, after which he had stated his intention to retire and make documentaries.
However, on December 16, 2009, Parsons anchored his final newscast at Global BC after 35 years as anchor of the News Hour. A day earlier he had confirmed his rather sudden departure in an email to radio station CKNW. It had been expected that he would remain until after the Olympics, but for unknown reasons, Parsons left the station much earlier than expected. He was replaced by Chris Gailus
Chris Gailus
Chris Gailus is a Canadian television news anchor.Gailus graduated from the Broadcast Journalism Program at Mount Royal College in Calgary in 1989, where he made the Dean's List and played basketball. He began his career in Lethbridge, Alberta, and stayed there for three years...
.
Parsons went to CHEK-TV
CHEK-TV
CHEK-DT, channel 6.1, is a television station based in Victoria, British Columbia and broadcasting to all of southwestern BC...
in Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
to anchor the 10 PM newscast starting on March 15.
On April 12, 2010, it was announced that Parsons would co-anchor CBUT
CBUT
CBUT-DT is the CBC's television station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the flagship CBC Television station for the Pacific Time Zone. The station transmits its main terrestrial signal from a tower atop Mount Seymour....
's evening newscast, CBC News: Vancouver, replacing co-anchor Ian Hanomansing
Ian Hanomansing
Ian Hanomansing is a Canadian television journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . He currently reports for CBC Television's nightly newscast, The National.-Early life:...
who left to work as a reporter and substitute anchor for CBC News: The National. Parsons would continue to host the 10 PM newscast for CHEK-TV. After his CBC evening broadcast, he would fly to Vancouver Island to anchor the 10 pm news on CHEK-TV.
Parsons resides in Victoria, British Columbia.
He has completed his first book called A Life in the News. On November 23 2009, he opened a Vancouver restaurant, the Poor Italian in which he has a part ownership stake.