October 29, 2024 • 13 mins
He’s served since January 2021 as President and General Manager of the Hearst Television ABC affiliate serving Kansas City, KMBC-9, and its sibling that is the home of the CW in the market, KCWE-TV. To learn a little bit more about these stations, and their presence in a vibrant local media market, we welcome Justin Antoniotti to the podcast.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
This is the RBRTVBR in Focus podcast. Here's your host,
Radio and Television Business Report Editor in Chief Adam R.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Jacobson.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Hello again, and welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
It's presented by dot fm streaming social podcaster broadcast. Get
a dot fm domain name by heading over to get
dot fm. Today and today we're continuing our spotlight on
Kansas City as we enjoy a conversation with Justin and Tenetti.
He has served as the head of Hearst Television's ABC
affiliate in the market, KMBC Channel nine and it's sibling
(00:42):
that is home to the CW network, KCWETV, since January
of twenty twenty one. In that nearly four year tenure
as the head of these two stations, Kansas City has
gotten a little bit more of an international spotlight thanks
to the Kansas City chiefs one Travis Kelcey, one Taylor Swift,
(01:05):
but also for its own merits and to learn a
little bit more about mister and Tinetti and these stations
their presence in a vibrant local marketplace. We welcome into
the podcast. It is great Justin to be speaking with you.
Speaker 5 (01:18):
Thanks Adam for the invite.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Well, I want to get started by noting that you
are a University of Missouri journalism school graduate, so you
ain't got nothing on me. Seriously, though, that said, you
have some strong ties to Missouri, and I'm wondering if
this has played an important role in your leadership of
these two stations over the last five years, because when
you have local ties and you have a community that
(01:41):
is so impassioned about everything that goes on on both
sides of the state line, I think that might have
a certain advantage, if you will, in terms of your
vision for what your news organization needs to provide the community.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, you know, I think the market's very fortunate to be,
you know, to the University of Missouri, and I'll mention
the University of.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Kansas as well.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
You know, two schools with really strong journalism programs, and
I think the market benefits from having folks from Kansas
City go to school study journalism and then want to
come back at some point in their career and be
able to contribute. And I think, you know, especially University Missouri.
I know that program well since I went through it.
I think there's just a it's just a great training
(02:26):
program with practical hands on experience. So I find the
graduates for Missouri are really exceptional journalists, you know, and
do great work, and so we certainly benefit from that
because we've got a lot of Missouri grads including Kansas
grads here, and I think, you know, I think they've
raised a level of journalism locally and we certainly benefit
(02:48):
from that. And I think there is a huge appreciation
for good local journalism here And just looking at the ratings,
you know, those are the programs that still attract.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
Majority of yours. It's local newscasts.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Now, local news presence in the Kansas City market is
certainly strong and represented across the big four TV stations
in middle Perhaps the Kansas City Star is not as
bright as it had been in the past, but you
still have citizen journalists, you still have the social media flow,
(03:23):
and I'm wondering how you and envision cutting through the clutter,
if you will, to provide people across the Kansas City
metropolitan area with the news that is truly relevant and vetted.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yeah, we try to drive a distinction between information that
exists on social media platforms, for example, from different sources.
You know, our focus is local news, you know, specifically,
you know, we are trying to keep people safe and
informed about all things in their world, and we want
(03:59):
to make sure that that every day we set out
to cover the topics that are relevant, uh timely and
local to them. And you know, we believe every day
we've got to win the trust, the trust to the consumer,
and so every story is is really a test and
how are we going to be fair?
Speaker 5 (04:19):
Are we going to cover story? And if there are
two sides, we're covering both stories.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
So so we really endeavor to deliver a good product
that's you know, grounded in facts and not opinion, and
a variety of different platforms. Obviously, we know consumers want
news on digital platforms, so that's what we do. We're
(04:44):
really proud of our success with our website. Obviously we're
also posting news on on social media platforms as well.
And then we've got our ott product, Very Local, which
is an app that's available across the country where any
consumer can download that and when they're in Kansas City,
(05:04):
they can see not only our newscast but individual news
segments and consumers have found that very quickly and that's
how they're using that app. So no matter what platform
you are.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
You can find cambus See nine news and local content.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Your experience is very varied when it comes to the
markets that you've been in. You began your career as
a news producer in Columbia, Missouri, where the University of
Missouri's main campuses. You then went to Biloxi, Mississippi. You've
worked in Houston, Memphis, Milwaukee, Burlington, Plattsburgh, New York. You
(05:43):
were in Greenville, South Carolina, And before arriving in Kansas City,
you were in Lancaster, Harrisburg, and New York, Pennsylvania. Very
very different marketplaces. But I'm wondering, from all of that
experience and now being in Kansas City, is there one
thing in common when it comes to going about how
to provide the audience with that product that really sticks
(06:07):
out from all of the other newscasts available.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah, listen, I think you know, broadcasters play a unique
role and that they're really grounded and serving the public
and the best interests of the public. I find that's unique,
and I don't know how many industries have have a
similar mission where you know, they all agree that we're
going to do this what's best for the community. And so, yes,
(06:34):
I've been in a lot of markets.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
It just happens.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
This is my ninth market, and I happen to be
a Channel nine here.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
But I found.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
That that viewers typically want the same things regardless of
the market, and every market's unique in its own way.
But I think, you know, people want to make sure
that they're safe. You know, they want to be able
to live comfortably and have opportunities to do other things,
you know, an entertainment realm. They want to support their children.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
They want to make sure their children have the.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Opportunities that they grew up with, if not more so,
I find regross to the market. I think at the
end of the day, viewers typically want the same thing.
They want to make sure that there's nothing out there
that's gonna harm them. They want information that's gonna inform
them and keep their family safe and make sure they
all have a right future. So I find that it's
(07:30):
very true in Kansas City. Obviously, this is a sports town.
Tank it enough of the Kansas City Chiefs here and
the Royals have been resilient to rebound it and there's
a great pride and not only those teams, with the
city itself, and I think is unique.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
You don't find that in every place.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
That is an understatement. So I must say that as
a out of town observer who had never been to
Kansas City before, what struck me was literally nine out
of ten p people wearing Chiefs clothing, whether it was
a shirt or a hat, women wearing Chiefs earrings, anything
you could possibly think of with the Chiefs logo on it.
And evidently this is just Sunday in Kansas City. I
(08:14):
mean it fan passion, but also the community pride. And
you know, it's certainly been a frustrating year when it
comes to certain things that we weren't even aware of
until after the fact. The Super Bowl victory party, there
was a fortunate incidents that was on the side of
(08:36):
Union Station that was actually part of our marathon route,
and we were listening to KKFI radio at one point
during our time there, and it was only after the
fact that we realized that someone involved with that radio
station had tragically lost her life. But that is in
the past, and the city is so focused on the
(08:57):
now and on the future, and it's just very and
with the new streetcar line coming down to Country Club
Plaza in twenty twenty five, with the Kansas City Current
playing in the first ever soccer stadium built for a
women's professional soccer team in the world. It seems that
Kansas City is ready to.
Speaker 5 (09:18):
Make a global statement.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
So I'm wondering over the last four years that you've
been in Kansas City, you know, is there like a
renaissance like we've heard and we've experienced in cities like Detroit.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
How do you explain to.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
The outside or where Kansas City is and why it
might be a good place to maybe go on vacation.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
You know, when I arrived here, you know, I met
with the president of the Chamber of Commerce for the
Greater Kansas City area and he said something that really
stuck with being and I think it kind of sums
up the feeling how I feel about the city is
he said, there's no better time to be in Kansas City.
There right now. You know, last year, in addition hosting
(10:00):
the NFL Draft, the new airport terminal opened up, and
you mentioned the light rail expansion. You know, those projects,
I believe you know, in total, that's a two billion
dollar investment in the area.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
You know, there there's there's you mentioned the women's soccer
stadium that has has been built quickly and is one
of those views as you as you cross the river.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Into the city, you know that that greets you.
Speaker 5 (10:29):
And so there's no.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Doubt in my mind that this is a a market
on the rise. We have the World Cup that Kansas
City will host in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
There's work that will need to.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Take place now to make sure that the city is
prepared to accommodate the teams that will be based here
and also the games as well. We've had an influx
in business here.
Speaker 5 (10:56):
Panasonic is building.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
A our manufacturing plant that's about a four billion dollar
investment that's just outside the metropolitan area on the Kansas side.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
So there is a lot.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Of great things happening in Kansas City. And and I
and I having lived here, I'm reminded of the high
quality of life here, and it's really true, and.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
I'm excited about it.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
I'm I take great pride in being from Kansas City now,
and I know, you know that's that's the reality for
everyone here. And you know, getting back to the teacher
for a second, this is a market where you don't
have to ask a person who do I root for?
And and football there are there are we are chiefs fans.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
Through and through here.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
It's it's just a remarkable loyalty. When I got here,
I thought, Wow, these fans are very confident and now
I'm a believer.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
And I believe that.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
You know, obviously with the start of this season, they've
got a great shot and in a third championship for
the first time ever for any team, which is really remarked.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
Well, but you know they're that good for sure.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
And let's not forget that Brittany and Pat Mahomes are
co owners of the Kansas City Current, which is the
NWSL professional women's soccer team playing in that beautiful riverfront stadium.
So certainly a lot to think about and a lot
to celebrate when it comes to Kansas City. And I
want to thank you Justin Antonetti for taking time out
(12:26):
to participate in this podcast. And if you've not had
a meal down at Groso's, if you like good Italian food,
we really enjoy our time.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
The Yes, lots of good food here without a doubt,
and more food, I mean great I work class for robecute,
of course, but more great food beyond just barbecue.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
All right, well, thank you again, and we also wanted
to take time out to say thank you to Kathy Nelson,
the President and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission,
and Dave Borchard at KCSC for all their help and
participation in the Kansas City Mayor and Half Marathon.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
And with that we want to thank you for listening
to this Radio and Television Business Report in focused podcast.
It was sponsored by dot fm streaming, the social podcast
broadcast get a dot fm domainame by heading over to
get dot fm. Today from the global headquarters of Streamline Publishing,
home of Radio Inco magazine and the Radio and Television
Business Report, I am Adam R. Jacobson, A bog raton Florida.
(13:23):
We'll see you next time.
This is the RBRTVBR in Focus podcast. Here's your host,
Radio and Television Business Report Editor in Chief Adam R.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Jacobson.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Hello again, and welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
It's presented by dot fm streaming social podcaster broadcast. Get
a dot fm domain name by heading over to get
dot fm. Today and today we're continuing our spotlight on
Kansas City as we enjoy a conversation with Justin and Tenetti.
He has served as the head of Hearst Television's ABC
affiliate in the market, KMBC Channel nine and it's sibling
(00:42):
that is home to the CW network, KCWETV, since January
of twenty twenty one. In that nearly four year tenure
as the head of these two stations, Kansas City has
gotten a little bit more of an international spotlight thanks
to the Kansas City chiefs one Travis Kelcey, one Taylor Swift,
(01:05):
but also for its own merits and to learn a
little bit more about mister and Tinetti and these stations
their presence in a vibrant local marketplace. We welcome into
the podcast. It is great Justin to be speaking with you.
Speaker 5 (01:18):
Thanks Adam for the invite.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Well, I want to get started by noting that you
are a University of Missouri journalism school graduate, so you
ain't got nothing on me. Seriously, though, that said, you
have some strong ties to Missouri, and I'm wondering if
this has played an important role in your leadership of
these two stations over the last five years, because when
you have local ties and you have a community that
(01:41):
is so impassioned about everything that goes on on both
sides of the state line, I think that might have
a certain advantage, if you will, in terms of your
vision for what your news organization needs to provide the community.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, you know, I think the market's very fortunate to be,
you know, to the University of Missouri, and I'll mention
the University of.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Kansas as well.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
You know, two schools with really strong journalism programs, and
I think the market benefits from having folks from Kansas
City go to school study journalism and then want to
come back at some point in their career and be
able to contribute. And I think, you know, especially University Missouri.
I know that program well since I went through it.
I think there's just a it's just a great training
(02:26):
program with practical hands on experience. So I find the
graduates for Missouri are really exceptional journalists, you know, and
do great work, and so we certainly benefit from that
because we've got a lot of Missouri grads including Kansas
grads here, and I think, you know, I think they've
raised a level of journalism locally and we certainly benefit
(02:48):
from that. And I think there is a huge appreciation
for good local journalism here And just looking at the ratings,
you know, those are the programs that still attract.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
Majority of yours. It's local newscasts.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Now, local news presence in the Kansas City market is
certainly strong and represented across the big four TV stations
in middle Perhaps the Kansas City Star is not as
bright as it had been in the past, but you
still have citizen journalists, you still have the social media flow,
(03:23):
and I'm wondering how you and envision cutting through the clutter,
if you will, to provide people across the Kansas City
metropolitan area with the news that is truly relevant and vetted.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yeah, we try to drive a distinction between information that
exists on social media platforms, for example, from different sources.
You know, our focus is local news, you know, specifically,
you know, we are trying to keep people safe and
informed about all things in their world, and we want
(03:59):
to make sure that that every day we set out
to cover the topics that are relevant, uh timely and
local to them. And you know, we believe every day
we've got to win the trust, the trust to the consumer,
and so every story is is really a test and
how are we going to be fair?
Speaker 5 (04:19):
Are we going to cover story? And if there are
two sides, we're covering both stories.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
So so we really endeavor to deliver a good product
that's you know, grounded in facts and not opinion, and
a variety of different platforms. Obviously, we know consumers want
news on digital platforms, so that's what we do. We're
(04:44):
really proud of our success with our website. Obviously we're
also posting news on on social media platforms as well.
And then we've got our ott product, Very Local, which
is an app that's available across the country where any
consumer can download that and when they're in Kansas City,
(05:04):
they can see not only our newscast but individual news
segments and consumers have found that very quickly and that's
how they're using that app. So no matter what platform
you are.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
You can find cambus See nine news and local content.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Your experience is very varied when it comes to the
markets that you've been in. You began your career as
a news producer in Columbia, Missouri, where the University of
Missouri's main campuses. You then went to Biloxi, Mississippi. You've
worked in Houston, Memphis, Milwaukee, Burlington, Plattsburgh, New York. You
(05:43):
were in Greenville, South Carolina, And before arriving in Kansas City,
you were in Lancaster, Harrisburg, and New York, Pennsylvania. Very
very different marketplaces. But I'm wondering, from all of that
experience and now being in Kansas City, is there one
thing in common when it comes to going about how
to provide the audience with that product that really sticks
(06:07):
out from all of the other newscasts available.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah, listen, I think you know, broadcasters play a unique
role and that they're really grounded and serving the public
and the best interests of the public. I find that's unique,
and I don't know how many industries have have a
similar mission where you know, they all agree that we're
going to do this what's best for the community. And so, yes,
(06:34):
I've been in a lot of markets.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
It just happens.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
This is my ninth market, and I happen to be
a Channel nine here.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
But I found.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
That that viewers typically want the same things regardless of
the market, and every market's unique in its own way.
But I think, you know, people want to make sure
that they're safe. You know, they want to be able
to live comfortably and have opportunities to do other things,
you know, an entertainment realm. They want to support their children.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
They want to make sure their children have the.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Opportunities that they grew up with, if not more so,
I find regross to the market. I think at the
end of the day, viewers typically want the same thing.
They want to make sure that there's nothing out there
that's gonna harm them. They want information that's gonna inform
them and keep their family safe and make sure they
all have a right future. So I find that it's
(07:30):
very true in Kansas City. Obviously, this is a sports town.
Tank it enough of the Kansas City Chiefs here and
the Royals have been resilient to rebound it and there's
a great pride and not only those teams, with the
city itself, and I think is unique.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
You don't find that in every place.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
That is an understatement. So I must say that as
a out of town observer who had never been to
Kansas City before, what struck me was literally nine out
of ten p people wearing Chiefs clothing, whether it was
a shirt or a hat, women wearing Chiefs earrings, anything
you could possibly think of with the Chiefs logo on it.
And evidently this is just Sunday in Kansas City. I
(08:14):
mean it fan passion, but also the community pride. And
you know, it's certainly been a frustrating year when it
comes to certain things that we weren't even aware of
until after the fact. The Super Bowl victory party, there
was a fortunate incidents that was on the side of
(08:36):
Union Station that was actually part of our marathon route,
and we were listening to KKFI radio at one point
during our time there, and it was only after the
fact that we realized that someone involved with that radio
station had tragically lost her life. But that is in
the past, and the city is so focused on the
(08:57):
now and on the future, and it's just very and
with the new streetcar line coming down to Country Club
Plaza in twenty twenty five, with the Kansas City Current
playing in the first ever soccer stadium built for a
women's professional soccer team in the world. It seems that
Kansas City is ready to.
Speaker 5 (09:18):
Make a global statement.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
So I'm wondering over the last four years that you've
been in Kansas City, you know, is there like a
renaissance like we've heard and we've experienced in cities like Detroit.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
How do you explain to.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
The outside or where Kansas City is and why it
might be a good place to maybe go on vacation.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
You know, when I arrived here, you know, I met
with the president of the Chamber of Commerce for the
Greater Kansas City area and he said something that really
stuck with being and I think it kind of sums
up the feeling how I feel about the city is
he said, there's no better time to be in Kansas City.
There right now. You know, last year, in addition hosting
(10:00):
the NFL Draft, the new airport terminal opened up, and
you mentioned the light rail expansion. You know, those projects,
I believe you know, in total, that's a two billion
dollar investment in the area.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
You know, there there's there's you mentioned the women's soccer
stadium that has has been built quickly and is one
of those views as you as you cross the river.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Into the city, you know that that greets you.
Speaker 5 (10:29):
And so there's no.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Doubt in my mind that this is a a market
on the rise. We have the World Cup that Kansas
City will host in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
There's work that will need to.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Take place now to make sure that the city is
prepared to accommodate the teams that will be based here
and also the games as well. We've had an influx
in business here.
Speaker 5 (10:56):
Panasonic is building.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
A our manufacturing plant that's about a four billion dollar
investment that's just outside the metropolitan area on the Kansas side.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
So there is a lot.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Of great things happening in Kansas City. And and I
and I having lived here, I'm reminded of the high
quality of life here, and it's really true, and.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
I'm excited about it.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
I'm I take great pride in being from Kansas City now,
and I know, you know that's that's the reality for
everyone here. And you know, getting back to the teacher
for a second, this is a market where you don't
have to ask a person who do I root for?
And and football there are there are we are chiefs fans.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
Through and through here.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
It's it's just a remarkable loyalty. When I got here,
I thought, Wow, these fans are very confident and now
I'm a believer.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
And I believe that.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
You know, obviously with the start of this season, they've
got a great shot and in a third championship for
the first time ever for any team, which is really remarked.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
Well, but you know they're that good for sure.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
And let's not forget that Brittany and Pat Mahomes are
co owners of the Kansas City Current, which is the
NWSL professional women's soccer team playing in that beautiful riverfront stadium.
So certainly a lot to think about and a lot
to celebrate when it comes to Kansas City. And I
want to thank you Justin Antonetti for taking time out
(12:26):
to participate in this podcast. And if you've not had
a meal down at Groso's, if you like good Italian food,
we really enjoy our time.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
The Yes, lots of good food here without a doubt,
and more food, I mean great I work class for robecute,
of course, but more great food beyond just barbecue.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
All right, well, thank you again, and we also wanted
to take time out to say thank you to Kathy Nelson,
the President and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission,
and Dave Borchard at KCSC for all their help and
participation in the Kansas City Mayor and Half Marathon.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
And with that we want to thank you for listening
to this Radio and Television Business Report in focused podcast.
It was sponsored by dot fm streaming, the social podcast
broadcast get a dot fm domainame by heading over to
get dot fm. Today from the global headquarters of Streamline Publishing,
home of Radio Inco magazine and the Radio and Television
Business Report, I am Adam R. Jacobson, A bog raton Florida.
(13:23):
We'll see you next time.
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