ABC-Owned Television Studios
Groundbreakers
Chad Matthews
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
As president, ABC Owned Television Stations, Chad Matthews oversees the number 1 station in the country, New York City’s WABC, 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.
All that responsibility may sound stressful, but as Matthews recounts, it’s a blast. He describes his practical endeavors as 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.
In his position, Matthews is witness to a lot of scary events. Unlike some in journalism, though, he refuses to grow embittered.
“As someone who started in the news industry, I have a front row seat to the stories of discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people,” Matthews says. “But I also have the incredible opportunity to hear stories of hope, strength, and resilience. There was a story from WABC earlier this year profiling people who have been on the front lines of the fight for equal rights, and I remember activist [and fellow Out100 honoree] Randy Wicker talking about his work and how if you’re willing to go out and fight, you can make a difference. He’s credited with organizing the first known gay rights demonstration, and look where we are now — there is always hope.” @chadmatthews
Groundbreakers
Janelle Rodriguez
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Photo by Patrick Randak
Janelle Rodriguez is the executive vice president of programming at NBC News, in which capacity she manages NBC Nightly News, NBC News NOW, as well as breaking news specials. It’s a notable year for the country’s longest-running evening newscast, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
In addition to upholding the gold standard of this time-honored brand, the out Puerto Rican executive is breaking new ground by building NBC News NOW, the fasting-growing U.S. streaming news network. Under her oversight last year, NBC News NOW had an impressive 50 percent year-over-year growth and broadened into national and international linear distribution.
As the world gears up for an action-packed 2024 that includes the Paris Olympics and a U.S. presidential election, Rodriguez is more than prepared to lead her teams in their coverage. It’s a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly.
“I get a front row seat to history every day and have the honor of working with the best journalists in the world to bring the news to our audiences everywhere,” Rodriguez says.
Previously, Rodriguez served as CNN’s vice president of programming. During her career, she’s won several Peabody Awards and five Emmy Awards for election night coverage and beyond. Her CNN team took home the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont Award for its reporting on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. And she’s routinely honored for her work by media outlets, being recognized by Variety’s Women’s Impact Report, Fast Company’s Queer 50, and CableFax’s Pride List.
Despite all her professional accomplishments, Rodriguez takes her greatest pride in her family. “Being a mom to my 10-year-old daughter is the greatest gift and hardest work of my life. I’m truly blessed,” she says.