Global News has hired Tom Clark as host of its new Ottawa politico talker The West Block on Global Television, a year after he left CTV News as host of its Power Play With Tom Clark series.

Global News also announced that it has hired Patrick Brown, a long-time CBC foreign correspondent, to be its China correspondent, based in Beijing.

Clark, who had been with CTV for nearly four decades, was considered a leading contender to replace Lloyd Robertson as anchor of CTV’s flagship late-night news show.

That job instead went to Lisa LaFlamme, who took over the top CTV news anchor chair this week.

Clark will now anchor The West Block, which will compete against political commentary and interview shows on rival Sun News, CTV News and CBC NN.

The new show will be a separate show [from the evening newscasts] on Global Television; more details on The West Block will be unveiled in the coming weeks, the network said.

“These are two giants of journalism,” said Troy Reeb, VP, Global News in a statement.

“The wealth of experience and expertise they bring to the table is simply astounding. They will both play an important role in further solidifying Global News as the news leader in Canada,” he added.