CTV Calgary named finalist for 5 RTDNA Awards

CTV News Calgary has been nominated for five awards by the Radio-Television Digital News Association.

CTV News Calgary has been named a finalist in five categories for the 2025 Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Awards’ Prairie Region.

The awards, which honour the best journalists, news programs and broadcasters for achievements in audio, video and digital productions, are held every year.

This year, CTV Calgary was recognized for breaking news (video), feature news (digital), live special events (multiplatform) for its comprehensive coverage of Remembrance Day services, TV newscast and VJ video.

Breaking News (Video):

Penbrook Meadows Standoff

When police issued a shelter-in-place order for a neighbourhood because of an armed standoff, CTV Calgary responded quickly to alert the public. Our crews reported live from the scene as a man shot at officers over a 30-hour period. Viewer-submitted video and CTV’s own video showed shots and tear gas being fired, police negotiating with the man, and a police robot approaching the residence. After the standoff ended with police shooting and killing the man, our coverage continued with an exclusive report, where the man’s family raised questions about police actions, and why their loved one had to die.

Feature News (Digital):

Darrel Janz Tribute

Videojournalist Kevin Green created an emotional tribute video for his longtime co-worker, CTV Calgary anchor Darrel Janz, who died at age 83. Janz, an RTDNA lifetime achievement award winner, had a great impact on thousands of co-workers and students during his 60+ year journalism career. Through interviews and his own reflections, Green painted a lighthearted, respectful portrait of Janz’s life and times. The tribute included film of Janz after surviving a helicopter crash. Green worked diligently to find the footage, not been seen publicly since 1969. The tribute played at Janz’s memorial service and was livestreamed on CTV Calgary’s website.

TV Newscast

CTV News at 6

June 6, 2024

June 6, 2024 was a busy day with breaking news on several fronts. CTV Calgary’s 6 p.m. newscast provided enterprising and comprehensive team coverage of a major water main break. We had breaking news on a shooting and wildfire. We also presented compelling stories on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the controversial unveiling of a statue and a deep dive into the science behind the northern lights. Our meteorologist had the latest on fire dangers, our Trending segment highlighted the lighter side of the news, and our sports director reported on the return of a star quarterback to Calgary.

VJ Video

Food Bank Harvest

Video journalist Kevin Green used creative shooting/editing techniques to give us a unique perspective of a community effort, benefiting the Calgary Food Bank. Kevin used a drone to shoot an opening standup, which pulled back to reveal the vast scope of the project. Drone video also gave viewers a birds-eye view of volunteers’ work. Low-angle shots were used for another perspective. Interviews conveyed the wide impact the harvest has on the community, and the personal impact it has on volunteers. Kevin shot, wrote, voiced and edited this story in the field in one day, and it aired the same evening.

CTV News Calgary took home a 2022 RTDNA award for Best Newscast , for its coverage of the Coutts, Alta., border blockade in February 2022.

Regional awards winners will be announced on June 4.

For more about the RTDNA Awards, go here.