Broadcasting legend Glen Carter’s illustrious anchoring career comes to an end with final NTV Evening Newshour on March 4th, 2022

After four decades in broadcasting, the last 15 on NTV, the man with the quintessential news voice is signing off. The March 4th show will be his final from the desk, dropping the curtain on a distinguished career.

It might surprise many to know that Glen Carter’s poised, polished voice did not come completely naturally. He cultivated it as a tool of the trade. In fact, Carter fashioned a renowned, esteemed career without any real formal training, instead earning success the old-fashioned way – hands on and hard work.

From a wide-eyed 19-year-old copy boy in 1976, Carter would commit his adult life to the craft – no emeritus status from higher learning but instead a spot on his audience’s dean’s list. His colleagues would happily afford him a doctorate.

Master of His Craft

Carter is a master of his craft and the anchor chair afforded him a front row seat to life, from tragedy to triumph. He’s reliable and, although predictability can be boring for many, the 65-year-old thrives on routine. 

You can set your watch to his daily arrival, his brown bag lunch, the crunch of his afternoon apple and his usual list of news chores. The trademark white dress shirt is a uniform and, well, so is his steady, measured approach to news.

“Retirement can be difficult because of the people you’ll no longer see every day, and because of missing the job’s challenges and rewards,” said Carter in a philosophical mood, “but, those relationships don’t disappear, nor does the sense of accomplishments that goes along with the job. They go on.”

There’s much more to Carter than the trusted voice you hear every night. He’s a family man, an award-winning three-time novelist, a friend to many and a mentor and colleague to fellow reporters.

“I call Glen ‘The Colonel.’ He’s the master of the ship, the steady hand that guides us and the rational voice in a world of chaos,” says co-anchor and long-time friend Toni-Marie Wiseman. 

“We all know that he’s brilliant and a master story-teller with the quintessential anchorman tone. But he is also humble, easy-going and doesn’t like being the center of attention. He does enjoy being part of a good team and he’s helped mentor and develop the strongest and closest team I’ve ever worked with throughout my career here at NTV.”

He’s approachable, quick-witted and has an incredible sense of humor. But don’t let his easy-going manner fool you. He is fiercely passionate about journalism, how a story is assembled and delivered to the audience.

“Sometimes it’s tough telling the stories that don’t have happy endings,” Carter says. “But there’s comfort in doing something that is important and valued … and hopefully appreciated.”

‘One-of-a-Kind Talent’

NTV colleagues are crushed to see him go but thankful for the opportunity to learn from a journalism giant. His fingerprints are all over the show. He edits news scripts and offers sage advice with each sentence. 

The Glen Carter you see on TV sets across Canada is truly an example of the tip of the iceberg metaphor. Much of what he is, and provides, is beneath the surface.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better learning experience than watching Glen anchor the news. He’s a one-of-a-kind talent in the industry,” says Michael Connors, who will replace Carter on the desk. “His experience working in different TV newsrooms all across Canada has been so valuable to us over the years. It’ll be a big loss not having him around, just to be able to draw on his knowledge whenever we need it.”

One of the most trusted names in broadcasting, his impeccable 40 year journalism career has endeared him as one of the all-time greats in his profession. For decades – much of it as anchor of the award-winning NTV Evening Newshour – he has guided viewers through the political, economic and cultural events that have shaped not only the province, but the nation.

“Glen has always been a most remarkable journalistic talent. From his rookie year covering the Ocean Ranger tragedy, to interviewing Prime Ministers, Premiers and ordinary newsmakers for decades, his integrity and humanity has shown through,” says SCI president and friend Scott Stirling, who had a big influence on his career. 

“Last year Glen was awarded the Lifetime Journalism awards both regionally and nationally and NTV celebrates Glen’s retirement from the anchor desk. And we’re thrilled that he will still contribute to NTV news specials periodically for his faithful followers. He is a real gentleman, a man of honour, and I respect and salute him.”

Sound of the News Wire

Carter’s career at NTV is without precedent. Co-anchor of the province’s most-watched show, he’s best known at the helm of its flagship show, The NTV Evening Newshour, helping transform the program into Newfoundland and Labrador’s most-watched television show.

From the moment he began his first news job as a copy boy for the then Evening Telegram, Carter was seduced by the sound of the news wire. His job with the newspaper led eventually to a career in television news and postings in St. John’s, Halifax, Ottawa and Calgary. NTV, though, is where it began. He broke into the broadcast business in ’80 with NTV.

As an award-winning reporter, he’s produced compelling television on everything from the G-8 summit of world leaders to the heartbreak of sea and air disasters. He’s a consummate storyteller who believes the best stories are about real people and real lives. 

His sensitive coverage of the province’s worst marine disaster in 1982, where 84 lives were lost on the Ocean Ranger, remains one of the toughest stories he’s had to tell. Known for his trademark integrity, and gentle humor, Glen has chronicled the stories that helped shape this province – whether it was the devastating 2009 Cougar 491 crash that claimed 17 lives to the Arrow Air crash in Gander in 1985. He’s filed his share of heart-breaking stories.

‘Very Tough Days’

There’s the unimaginable 1990s story where a toddler was murdered in Ottawa – his tiny body discovered in a dumpster just feet away from where Carter was reporting live that day. Even in his own Ottawa CJOH-TV newsroom in 1995, Carter’s close colleague, Brian Smith, was gunned down by a deranged man as his friend exited the building. “There have been some very tough days,” he says.

Some stories reverberate more than others, like the Cougar crash, which Carter covered for NTV. “Covering these stories changes you,” he says. “It confirms just how fragile life is.”

He now passes on that wisdom as a newsroom mentor, using his editorial acumen to guide a new generation of journalists. A true professional, he offers a breadth of insight into current affairs that is rivaled by few others. His journalistic instincts are invaluable and are also applied through his daily current affairs feature, The Carter File.

The 65-year-old retires as one of the nation’s longest-serving anchors, a distinction that puts him in very elite company in this business. He was a part of a news wheel that, he says, will continue to turn.

Love of Storytelling

His love of storytelling has broadened to the flight of fiction. He has three published novels. His love affair with words has gifted many awards, including lifetime achievement awards by the Atlantic Journalism Awards (AJA) and Radio Television Digital News Director Association (RTDNA).

Carter is spending his final days on the “desk” before retirement reflecting with admitted mixed emotions on his departure while saying “bye for now” to colleagues, but with plans to continue at NTV in special projects. “If they’ll have me,” he laughs. That’s a done deal.

“I wish we had many more years of anchoring together, but I will always value the time we did have; the learning and the laughter,” Wiseman says, fighting tears. “I salute you, Colonel. Happy Retirement.”