Matt Stewart’s eight-year tenure at KCTV will officially come to an end tomorrow morning when he says goodbye as co-anchor on the “More In The Morning” show.
In the move Stewart was given his walking papers while co-host Kelly Jones was given her own lifestyle show that will debut in September.
Station officials have confirmed to Bottom Line that effective August 20 a new morning team of Alexis Del Cid from Portland and Dave Hall from Las Vegas will debut on the CBS affiliate.
Stewart is trying to be upbeat over the situation and says he is currently weighing several job opportunities.
“Friends and loyal viewers, I regret to inform you that tomorrow will be my final day at KCTV5,” wrote Stewart on his Facebook page. “For the past 8 years I have truly enjoyed Kansas City, and I have strived to make a positive impact in people’s lives when reporting and anchoring the news of the day.
“I leave with mixed emotions. I am sad to leave my wonderful co-workers, but I am excited about the adventure that awaits me,” he says. “I plan to stay in television news and promise to tell you where I end up once it becomes official. In the meantime, I thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to watch my newscasts and give me such wonderful support. Your words of encouragement have meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Stewart began his career as a photographer at WOWT-TV in Omaha. Before coming to Kansas City, he was a reporter/anchor at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa, KHGI-TV in Kearney, Neb., and WDTN-TV in Dayton, Ohio. He has collected several awards for his reporting, including Associated Press honors in both Nebraska and Ohio. He also received Emmy recognition for spot news reporting by the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences.
Stewart recently wrote a book about his football playing days as a walk-on at Northwestern where he received his journalism degree. His book was recently highlighted in the prestigious “435 South” magazine (LINK).
UPDATE: Stewart did an admirable job on Friday signing off despite the fact that it was clearly obvious his departure was not his decision. The station wished him well in his “upcoming adventures.”
KCTV 5
REVOLVING PRESENTERS
One reason Nine tends to dominate local news is no revolving door of presenters… (to borrow the English word)
GOOD LUCK
Matt seemed like a nice guy and his story about being a walk-on at Northwestern was compelling. Good luck to him in the future wherever he goes.
Maybe to one of the other stations.
The person who does the hiring for the morning show should have been fired long ago. They sent Pisano and crew packing and replaced them with Greg A (not ready for prime time) and Kelly ( can’t speak without stumbling over a majority of words) So lets get rid of another bright star who actually works well with Gary Amble. Yep they should have been fired a long time ago…
Tim
I agree with Tim’s comments (7:09 PM 8/9) 120%. What is up with KCTV5. Do they just like to get rid of the good anchors? This goes way back to Wendell A. & Anne Peterson from many years ago. Ever since then it has been a revolving door. Dana & Chris were great & they booted them, too. Matt Stewart is really good. Honestly, I liked Kathie Horner, too. Maybe KCTV5 should listen to what their viewers want. I’ll go to fox 4.
It’s too bad. I’ve been a loyal Ch 5 viewer for decades, and it’s painful to watch newbies stumble over simple words like “tonganoxie” and “olathe” The learning curve is often way too long. And it’s hard on the ears. Good luck to Matt. For someone who got the shaft, he was most gracious this morning.
Wow, I was shocked while watching the news this morning to see that today was Matt’s last day. When KCTV5 got rid of Chris I quit watching in protest but then went back to KCTV5 when Matt was brought onto the morning news. I’m done with KCTV5 getting rid of the really good anchors. I will be switching to NBC or ABC news. Matt we wish you all the best!
So sad to see yet another really good anchor getting the boot from KCTV5, while miss better-than-you Kelly Jones gets her own tv show (maybe someone realized she’d sound better after having several takes to say a simple sentence). I have been a loyal CBS watcher since I’ve been watching television, and, as such, a loyal KCTV watcher since I moved to KC 8 years ago. I truly can’t understand what is wrong with KCTV. They took forever to get rid of a horrible weather person (yes, Katie Horner), and they are always kicking off really well-performing anchors and reporters. If they give Gary Amble the boot, I’m definitely switching channels…
Just a random thought – it is said when looking for a cause, follow the money…could it have something to do with keeping the anchor contracts at a minimum?
So Sad- he was great- time to find a new station, I hope KCTV5 finds themself soon, the olympics and the previews of the new shows on that station have proven it is time to change the channel!
I hope he replaces Curtis Jay on 41 action news in the morning….he is so awkward that often times I start out on Ch. 5 until 7am then change, now I guess I will start out on Ch. 9….brother!
BACK TO 41 FOR ME
Well back to 41 Action News for me, Had THE BEST morning team in town. The person they NEEDED to get rid of is gary amble, he is the SECOND worst weatherman in KC behind ONLY joe luria on 4, he STINKS !!!
So another Brilliant executive decision by KCTV 5 GM, who should be FIRED, now that would be a POISTIVE move !!!
Hope Matt stays in town and get on another station or moves to either Asheville,N.C., WLOS or Charlotte, spend time there as well.
In the morning it’s over to 41 ACTION NEWS !!!
NO MORE kctv 5 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DRUGS OR WHAT?
Hated to see Dana and Chris leave, to be replaced with Kelly and Greg. I thought then, the person responsible for that should have been fired on the spot. That was the most retarded move ever. I gave you some credit when Greg was replaced with Matt. Greg just did seem like he had the experience for that job, although a nice guy. Now you let Matt go. Hiring person, are you on drugs or what. You need to be removed immediately from the station and furthermore from the local area.
RUN BY AN IDIOT
Whoever is running kctv 5, is an IDIOT !
They had the best morning show in town, now I saw the replacements and all I can say is NO WAY WILL I WATCH THEM ! They looked like high
school dropouts.
When are the ownwers at kctv going to FIRE the station manager ? She is a disgrace and has NO business calling the shots there one second longer.
Over to KSHB 41 & KMBC 9 for me… Oh yes it WOULD help if you dump gary amble… He the worst in Kansas City !
CHANGING CHANNELS
What? Couldn’t believe it when I heard the Morning Show was changing AGAIN! I will be changing my channel, disgusted! DONE.
GLAD THEY DUMPED MATT
I guess I am in the minority, but I was very happy that they let Matt go. I stopped watching KCTV5 when he was on. His voice and personality so turned me off. I am sure he is a very nice person but not so much as a news anchor.
LIKED MATT
I liked Matt a lot was very sad to see him go. Good luck Matt.
MATT FAN
I’m a fan of Matt. Just saw a piece he did on Ch. 4, so I will be changing my chanel to follow him to Ch. 4.
FEEL SORRY FOR NEW ANCHORS
I always feel sorry for your new anchors, its like I wonder how long this poor soul is going to have a job after uprooting their family and moving to a new city. My gawd the ego’s that must be in charge at that station. What’s interesting is that this kind of nonsense doesn’t go on at the other stations, in fact they are good to their help, look how long they’ve all been there. No loyalty to hard workers at kctv5, maybe its time for your advertisers to look elsewhere.
A BUMBER
That is a bumber. Kelly was the only reason i watched the kctv5 news.
Now on to channel 9.