Chad Matthews has significantly impacted local TV journalism, particularly in the tri-state region. He currently serves as president of ABC Owned Television Stations, overseeing stations in major markets like New York City (WABC), Los Angeles, and Chicago. His journey within ABC, marked by dedication and innovation, has led to remarkable achievements and industry recognition.
Early Career and Rise at WABC
Matthews began his career at WABC in 2000 and was promoted to senior executive producer in 2002. He spent 12 years in senior roles for Eyewitness News, earning a Peabody Award in 2001 for his work as the live control room producer during the station's 9/11 coverage. He also won an Emmy Award in 2007 for Best Evening Newscast.
In 2012, Matthews briefly left WABC for a five-year stint as assistant news director at NBC-owned WTVJ in South Florida. At WTVJ, he won another Emmy Award in 2017 for breaking news coverage during the Ft. Lauderdale airport shooting incident. He later returned to WABC as the news director.
Leadership as News Director
As news director of WABC for three years, Matthews oversaw the overall function of exclusive content creation and operations for WABC's television and digital channels. He also launched connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Matthews successfully transitioned the station to a remote workforce to produce Eyewitness News without interruption. That year, WABC had the largest audience of any television station in the nation, significantly widening its lead from 2019. The station's digital platforms experienced record growth, adding over 4 million unique viewers, a more-than 20% increase from the previous year.
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Under his leadership, WABC-TV New York was awarded 17 Emmy® Awards and three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for Overall Excellence, Best Newscast, and Best News Documentary in 2020, including a national Murrow award for Best Newscast.
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Ascension to President and General Manager
NEW YORK (WABC) -- WABC News executive Chad Matthews has been named the president and general manager of WABC-TV.
In his new role, Matthews has overall management responsibility for ABC7/WABC-TV and its ancillary businesses.
"As news director of WABC, Chad has repeatedly proven his incredible dedication to the station and the community ABC7 serves," said Wendy McMahon, president, ABC Owned Television Stations. "During his tenure, he led the direction and modernization of the market's leading local television news and information brand, increasing audience reach and engagement while expertly navigating change and driving innovation. Chad is an insightful, forward-thinking and collaborative executive who will continue successfully leading ABC7/WABC-TV forward."
"It is an honor and privilege to lead New York City's and the nation's No. 1 station," said Matthews. "Since the first day I walked in the door in May 2000, I have been in awe of both the leadership and the many talented individuals that collectively make Channel 7 the most-watched station in the country. Together, we will continue to serve the tri-state region. We have never been more committed to creating impactful programming and lifesaving information for our viewers during these unprecedented times. I am extremely proud to lead this amazing team who not only care about the quality of work produced but also, just as importantly, the diverse communities we serve."
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At the close of 2021, Broadcasting and Cable named Matthews GM of the Year for 2021.
President of ABC Owned Television Stations
Chad Matthews has been named president of ABC Owned Television Stations, effective immediately. He takes over the position vacated by Wendy McMahon, who exited the company last year.
“Chad is an exceptional leader who has a track record of success, always championing innovative content and storytelling, super serving our viewers with programs that have a meaningful impact on the community overall, and achieving and maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence while driving enormous success across linear and digital platforms,” OConnell said.
“I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to lead the best station group in the world! The great eight as I like to call it. The team members who make up the ABC Owned Stations are the best in the business. Their talents, innovation, perseverance and flexibility are sources of constant inspiration." Matthews added.
Key Responsibilities and Initiatives
As president, ABC Owned Television Stations, Chad Matthews oversees WABC, the number 1 station in the country, as well as stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and other huge markets. He also supervises ancillary programs like Localish, Live With Kelly and Mark, and On the Red Carpet.
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His practical endeavors include reaching audiences hungry for local news and utilizing streaming platforms like Hulu and Amazon Fire TV. His more creative pursuits of the job include encouraging his stations to cover cultural events like Juneteenth, Lunar New Year, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, and various Pride festivals.
Matthews’s data journalism team has also launched initiatives resonating with audiences, like the Neighborhood Safety Tracker and the Equity Report, a concise repository of information on housing, health, education, policing, and the environment.
The ABC group has a data journalism department to provide critical context to reportage. Matthews said “putting data and numbers behind [stories] puts things in perspective for viewers.” A race and culture department also gives stories extra pop.
The ABC stations have become known for their groupwide reports, including those under the Our America banner, which Matthews described as “a spotlight on underrepresented and underserved communities”; and the Neighborhood Safety Tracker, which investigates crime in individual neighborhoods.
An Our America report titled “Lowballed” looked at housing inequality in America. It debuted on the stations’ streaming channels and apps, as well as Apple TV and Hulu, starting December 2, and was on air at the eight stations starting December 5. Another Our America report, subtitled “Mission Montford Point,” examined the first Black men to serve in the Marines. World War II veteran John L. Ramos finally got the medal he had long been due after seeing the one-hour documentary.
Viewers across the country have been bombarded with unpleasant news over the last few years, including the pandemic and battles over racial inequality. The ABC stations are all over those important stories, but reporters also make an effort to find positive news in their communities as well. Matthews said “audiences want a mix.” “People are looking for an escape,” he added. “They want to see bright spots in life.”
The ABC group enjoys enviable resources in its corporate portfolio, including ABC News, ESPN, Hulu and FiveThirtyEight, and uses those to enhance both content and distribution.
The Future of ABC Stations
With that in mind, each of the eight ABC-owned stations launched a 24/7 streaming channel in January, weekday newscasts on WLS, breaking news, upbeat Localish stories and other exclusive content. Users are watching them. “Every time I look at it, I pinch myself.”
Besides WABC, KABC and WLS, the ABC-owned stations are WPVI Philadelphia, KGO San Francisco, KTRK Houston, WTVD Raleigh-Durham and KFSN Fresno.
Matthews conceded being a news leader in a given market, and having a robust network news partner, gives a station a giant advantage in the digital derby. “How can you go wrong with the No. 1 local news and No. 1 network news in the country?” he said.
Matthews shared that, as long as the ABC station newsrooms continue to crank out rock-solid, compelling local content, they’ll retain the crowns they wear in their markets. “The power of our stations is the power of our news brands,” he said. “We’re the most powerful brands in local television and we don’t take that for granted.
OConnell said Matthews is off to a solid start as group president. “First of all, Chad is an incredible journalist,” she said. “He also had a wonderful business mind and is a fantastic leader.”
Asked about a learning curve in his latest role, Matthews, who entered the WABC newsroom in 2000, stresses that he knows local news intimately, and that is the backbone of the station business.
Matthews cites Debra OConnell, his predecessor as WABC general manager, and now president, networks, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, as “a tremendous resource who has been there for me every step of the way.”
Awards and Recognition
Matthews is a multi-award-winning news executive, receiving nine Emmy® Awards. He and his Eyewitness News colleagues were presented with the prestigious Governors Award commemorating WABC's 50th anniversary.
In 2020, he proudly served as a board member for the nonprofit organization Dance to Unite, which provides free dance instruction and promotes diversity for innercity children.
Table of Awards and Recognition:
| Award | Year | Organization | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peabody Award | 2001 | Live control room producer for WABC's 9/11 coverage | |
| Emmy Award | 2007 | Best Evening Newscast | |
| Emmy Award | 2017 | Breaking news coverage during the Ft. Lauderdale airport shooting incident | |
| GM of the Year | 2021 | Broadcasting and Cable | |
| Emmy Awards | 2020 | 17 Emmy Awards for WABC-TV New York | |
| Edward R. Murrow Awards | 2020 | Three regional awards for Overall Excellence, Best Newscast, and Best News Documentary | |
| Governors Award | Commemorating WABC's 50th anniversary |
Chad Matthews' career trajectory reflects a deep commitment to local news, innovative leadership, and a passion for serving diverse communities. His continued success at ABC Owned Television Stations promises a bright future for local broadcasting.
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