6 minute read
CTV News at 5's Matt Skube Reflects on His Career
After completing his university education in Nova Scotia, and enrolling in theCollege of Sports Media in Toronto, Matt Skube began his broadcasting career in hishometown of Thunder Bay. He attributes much of his early success to the ability toshowcase his personality, which he did through humour and fun as a weekend sportsanchor. Since Matt was a local, he knew his way around town, he had a network ofcontacts, and was able to show viewers who he was, all of which allowed him to jumpright into his job and never look back.
Q: COMING TO OTTAWA WAS A FAR MOVE FROM HOME IN THUNDER BAY. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE PARTS ABOUT LIVING HERE?
A: Ottawa is the big city that doesn’t feel like a big city. In many ways, it’s like a small town. One of the things I love the most is all of the green space and access to the outdoors. Whether it’s along the Rideau Canal, the OttawaRiver, or Gatineau Park, there are so many great areas to run, bike, hike and play. One of my favourites is theDominion Arboretum, especially for taking our Golden Retriever, Gus, for walks.
It may be considered cliche, and whileI do my best not to use them, one of the other great aspects is that there’s always something to do in Ottawa.When’s the last time you went to ParliamentHill, either for a tour or to seethe changing of the guard? (It’s closed for 10 years now for renovations, but finding out that hockey pucks are used as door stoppers in Centre Block was interesting! Not everywhere though.Be sure to ask when it re-opens!) Or visited a new exhibit at one of the many museums? Gone to a 67’s orChampions game; gone bowling (seriously one of my favourites!); played music bingo? There are so many things to do and it only takes a little bit of effort to find something for everyone.
I also like to explore. It could be walking through a community like theGlebe or Wellington West and checking out a new spot to eat (shoutout to the foodie scene!), or going on a search for treats or running along a new route. I don’t do it nearly as much as I should, but there are a lot of unique pockets in our city and it’s always an adventure!
Just two short years later, he made the move to Ottawa to work for CTV in 2013. Now, he’s on to another challenge in a bigger market, anchoring CTV News at 5 in the Nation’s Capital. Matt and his wife, Tricia, just welcomed their first baby in February and are adjusting totheir new life as a family of 4 (that mathadds up if you read on). We chattedwith him about his adventures in storytelling,his passion for giving back in the community, and all the little thing she loves about Ottawa.
Q: Why are you so interested in telling news stories, and what got you hooked on this career path?
From a young age, I learned that everyonehas a story to tell. When I was akid, I talked to people all the time - askmy mom! One of her favourite storiesto tell is when I was about 7 or 8, wewere riding the subway in Toronto aftera Blue Jays game. The rule was alwaysnot to talk to strangers, especially inthe big city, but it took me all of twominutes after getting onto the trainto ask the older man sitting next to me, “Did you go to the game?” Thatturned into a 20 minute conversationabout the Blue Jays, the Maple Leafsand a few other topics. I’ve also lovedreading for as long as I can remember.There’s something special about beingdrawn into a story and escaping reality,no matter how briefly.
Clearly, storytelling has been ingrainedin me for a long time, and there is nostory too small or seemingly unimportant.They’re all different, they all matter,and I feel a strong sense of responsibilityto tell them with the outlet I’m giveneach day. It wasn’t until university at St.FX that I really started to think aboutit as a career. I was able to broadcastgames and became the sports editor ofthe school paper, the Xaverian Weekly.I got hooked and the rest, as they say,is history.
Q: Since 2013, you’ve worn many hats with CTV Ottawa. What has your experience been like in your different roles there?
A: I’ve loved it! Starting out filling in forJ.J. Clarke on CTV News at Noon,Six and Late, was a little bit daunting because it didn’t take me long to figure out what an institution he is in this city!That said, I’ve enjoyed my journey so far. Every role offers something different. Anchoring at the desk is an opportunity to be involved in every aspect of the newscast.Reporting is the opportunity to be out on the street, talking to people about what matters to them and determining what’s important. Doing the weather allows me to show a little more of my personality. In addition, having a weekend radio show on Newstalk 580CFRA, and doing sideline reporting for the inaugural REDBLACKS season onTSN 1200, helped my development asa broadcaster.In media, as well as in a growing number of workplaces, versatility is now an essential skill. Gone are the days of only having one role and one responsibility. You have to be adaptable and willing to do what it takes to get where you’re going. I’ve never turned down an opportunity to be on the air, regardless of what medium it was or what it entailed.
Q: You’re a big community guy with a passion for supporting local causes. Is there a specific charity that holds significance for you?
A: I’ve been fortunate enough to do a lot of work with Ronald McDonald House since I arrived in Ottawa. Their entire team, the work they do, and the rolethey play for families with sick children is nothing short of amazing. They also have two family rooms in CHEO that people may not know about. Sitting in there, listening to people’s stories and being able to provide simple things like coffee or a place to do laundry, means so much to parents who may feel like their world is coming apart.I’m also starting to get more involved with mental health initiatives and programs locally. This is something that hits home for me in a lot of ways.
While it’s great that conversations arebeing had, and we’re slowly starting tomove in a positive direction, we needbetter access to resources for peoplewho need them.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received working in broadcasting?
A: Two things immediately come to mind.The first is from Jim Van Horne, formerTSN broadcaster and an instructor atCSM. When talking about storytelling, he told us that “imagination is betterthan knowledge.” You can know everything there is to know about a topic, a person, a sport, or a business; but if you can’t communicate it effectively and in a unique way, no one is going to pay attention.
The other is actually from James Duthie’sbook “The Guy On The Left.” In it,he talks about finding “the juice” of astory. In other words, it’s the questionbroadcasters should ask themselvesevery day - why do people care aboutthis? Why is this important? Duthie’sway of describing it as the juice stuckwith me and I’ve been using it eversince.
Q: What’s next for you in your career?
A: I’m planning to be in Ottawa for quitea while! I love anchoring CTV News at 5 and being a part of the team in thecapital. The newscast in the 5 o’clockslot is only a year and a half old inOttawa, so I’m looking forward to
growing with the show and discoveringwhere it goes. One of the thingsmy grandfather has always told me is“don’t be complacent,” so I’m alwayslooking for ways to improve on my performanceand look at how we might beable to improve. The only wrench thatcould be thrown in there is if TSN camecalling…but don’t tell my bosses that!
Q: What is your advice for finding balance between work and family life, especially in a job that isn’t your average 9-5? How are you adjusting to being a new father?
A: First off, being a parent is the mostwonderful thing in the world. I neverknew I could spend so much time justlooking at a human being.
My advice would be to do the thingsthat are important to you. It can gethectic because things can changequickly in my business, but as long asyou’re able to roll with the punchesand not get caught up in the weeds(eg. that project at work or your partnerbeing home a little late), things will begood.
@mattskube
