Send this page to someone via email

Hey now! After two decades of bringing the news to Edmonton and area viewers, Friday is Shaye Ganam’s last day in front of the camera.

Ganam is well-known in Edmonton as the co-host of both Global News Morning and Global News at Noon on Global Edmonton, which was called ITV when he first began 21 years ago.

“It’s a big change. A tough, tough decision,” Ganam said when announcing his job change.

While Shaye will no longer be in front of the camera, he isn’t going very far — just down the road, actually, to Corus Radio: which is part of the same company as Global Edmonton.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3., 630 CHED Mornings with Chelsea Bird and Shaye Ganam will debut.

“I’ve always loved talk radio, I’ve always wanted to do it, I’ve always wanted to be part of that world,” Ganam said. “And you know, 21 years — it’s a long time. I started to think, ‘Where can I go from here, what else can I do? Am I going to stay here until I retire? No I don’t think that’s possible.’”

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: Shaye Ganam had several co-anchors on the morning news, however Andrea Engel was the first. She joined him on his last day to take a trip down memory lane.

8:42 Shaye Ganam and original co-anchor Andrea Engel take a trip down memory lane Shaye Ganam and original co-anchor Andrea Engel take a trip down memory lane

READ MORE: Shaye Ganam and Chelsea Bird new hosts of 630 CHED morning show

In recent months, Ganam has filled in for various radio shows at 630 CHED. At the beginning of August, long-time morning show host Bruce Bowie announced his retirement.

“So this opportunity sort of presented itself and it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around very often, so I figured I’d be crazy to pass this up,” Ganam said, adding he wasn’t in a rush to leave television but wanted to take on a new challenge.

WATCH: Shaye Ganam says farewell to viewers at the end of his final morning news show

3:50 Shaye Ganam says farewell to Global Edmonton Shaye Ganam says farewell to Global Edmonton

Ganam said the radio show, which will air from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., will be a mix of news of the day as well as in-depth conversations.

Story continues below advertisement

“We’re building this from the ground up. A lot of the stuff that has been incorporated in that show is going to change,” he explained.

“We’ll have a chance to explore things and get deeper into topics, which is going to be great.” Tweet This

Viewers know Shaye for his quick wit and call-it-as-it-is personality — and among his colleagues, he is also respected for his flexibility and poise during rapidly changing breaking news situations.

LISTEN BELOW: Chelsea Bird and Shaye Ganam live on the Ryan Jespersen Show

A native to the city, Ganam attended the University of Alberta and NAIT before starting his career as an anchor and reporter in Saskatoon and then Calgary. He returned home to Edmonton in 1998, where he has been ever since.

Story continues below advertisement

21 years of early mornings, four ownership changes, six cohosts, thousands and thousands of hours of live tv, hundreds of interviews and who knows how many stories. Truly the best time of my life.. So far. Thank you for inviting me into your home. pic.twitter.com/UKn1nvJoRr — Shaye Ganam (@ShayeGanam) August 30, 2019

Ganam said saying farewell to his coworkers was a difficult decision.

“Leaving you guys is by far the only barrier,” he said, gesturing to co-anchor Erin Chalmers, weather specialist Mike Sobel and traffic reporter Daintre Christensen.

“Everybody who works on this show, the people in the control room and the newsroom, it’s just… it’s not work. It’s a joy to come here every day, I have a blast and look forward to it.” Tweet This

Below is a collection of videos showcasing some of the fun moments had on the morning news.

1:19 From the archives: Girl’s royal encounter has Global anchors cracking up From the archives: Girl’s royal encounter has Global anchors cracking up

1:17 Closed captioner says farewell to Shaye Ganam live on TV Closed captioner says farewell to Shaye Ganam live on TV

0:19 Nothing to see here, just move along… Nothing to see here, just move along…

2:10 Shaye Ganam and Bryan Hall debate how to fix the Edmonton Oilers Shaye Ganam and Bryan Hall debate how to fix the Edmonton Oilers

2:03 Erin Chalmers and Shaye Ganam Caught by Crime Stoppers Erin Chalmers and Shaye Ganam Caught by Crime Stoppers

4:38 Flashdance re-enactment on Global News Morning Edmonton Flashdance re-enactment on Global News Morning Edmonton

0:34 Kittens take over the Global News Morning anchor desk Kittens take over the Global News Morning anchor desk

8:11 Global Edmonton says goodbye to broadcaster Lorraine Mansbridge Global Edmonton says goodbye to broadcaster Lorraine Mansbridge

3:12 Shaye Ganam admits he’s never shopped online Shaye Ganam admits he’s never shopped online

1:35 Global News Morning team arrested by Caught by Crime Stoppers Global News Morning team arrested by Caught by Crime Stoppers

0:35 Shaye, Erin and Mike debate #PinkShirtDay accessories Shaye, Erin and Mike debate #PinkShirtDay accessories

WATCH: From producers and anchors to control room staff and reporters, we say farewell to morning and noon news anchor Shaye Ganam.

8:26 Global Edmonton staff say farewell to Shaye Ganam Global Edmonton staff say farewell to Shaye Ganam

WATCH: Gord Steinke interviews Shaye Ganam and Chelsea Bird who are becoming the new hosts of 630 CHED Mornings.

3:54 Gord Steinke interviews the new hosts of 630 CHED Mornings Gord Steinke interviews the new hosts of 630 CHED Mornings