TORONTO - Kevin Newman will take the helm of CTV's documentary series "W5," the network announced Tuesday.

The journalist, who joined the show as a correspondent four years ago, takes over hosting and managing editor duties with the launch of the 51st season on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Newman succeeds former W5 host and chief correspondent Lloyd Robertson, who took the role in 2011 after stepping down after 35 years as chief anchor and senior editor of "CTV National News." In his new job as special correspondent, Robertson will continue to appear on "W5" and on other CTV News properties and platforms.

Robertson will look back at key moments from the program's archives in a one-hour 50th anniversary special airing Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, the CTV GO app and CTVNews.ca. The special opens with Robertson at Toronto's City Hall, where the first story showed how easy it was to buy a gun and potentially wreak havoc in a public place.

In the season premiere, one story will look into swatting -- an Internet prank with deadly consequences -- and another will probe furnace sales schemes that have sprung up across Canada, victimizing unsuspecting homeowners.

Newman has won Emmy and Gemini awards along with a Peabody award during his 35 years as a news anchor in Canada and the U.S.