KCTV5 Reviews

2.9

30% would recommend to a friend

(21 total reviews)

30% positive business outlook

KCTV5 has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 21 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The KCTV5 employee rating is 22% below average for employers within the Media and communication industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

21 reviews
2.0
2 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good media market to work in

Cons

This station has a documented history of gender and race discrimination and has become a revolving door of news directors and managers who continue to reinforce the same harmful workplace practices. While a recent rebrand lists “Diversity and Inclusion” as a core pillar, the internal culture does little to create a supportive or inclusive environment for employees of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. There is a noticeable lack of minority representation across the newsroom among reporters, anchors, producers, and even the assignment desk. Currently, there is not a single reporter of color on staff, despite multiple open positions and opportunities to diversify hiring. This absence fails to reflect the communities that make up Kansas City and contributes to viewers turning to other stations that better represent them. Management has repeatedly failed to address reports of discrimination, leaving affected employees in uncomfortable situations where they must continue working alongside those involved. The lack of representation has also contributed to a disconnect in how the station covers issues impacting communities of color, reinforcing the perception that people of color are an afterthought rather than a priority. Favoritism and inconsistent standards further impact morale. Reporters who arrive unprepared or without well-developed story pitches are often rewarded with advancement opportunities, while others demonstrating strong work ethic and initiative are overlooked. This double standard has driven talented employees to leave the newsroom. Overall, newsroom leadership appears to prioritize ratings over employee well-being. Staff members are not empowered to share concerns or feel that their voices are heard, contributing to low morale and ongoing turnover.

2.0
25 Feb 2025

DIVERSITY IS NOT A PRIORITY

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It is good to have on your resume.

Cons

A blind eye is often turned to those who don’t put as much effort into their work as others do. Some employees (from certain anchors to photographers to field reporters) are allowed to do the bare minimum and in turn receive praise for their substandard work. For minorities, diversity is not a priority. It shows in management, producers, anchors, field reporters, meteorologists, photographers, the assignment desk and the sales side. There are only two photographers of color and two producers of color, one of which is the only female producer. There is a complete lack of color on the assignment desk and only one person of color in management. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like that yields a true voice for the minority communities in Kansas City or the surrounding areas. For the sales side of things, there is only one person of color who also happens to be a female…just one. A previous employee who made several, mind boggling mistakes (some of which were 100% fireable offenses) was allowed to finish out their employment status before accepting another offer at a different station. However, when a far more adequate, capable and skilled employee decided to end their time and accept an offer for a different position/line of work, that employee was terminated. Unless you apart of management or on-air talent, your pay is substandard. From my experience, I would not be able to afford rent, car note, insurance, bills and groceries on my salary alone.

4.0
23 Feb 2025

Can be rewarding, but also nerve-wracking

Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Newsroom management genuinely cares about fairness in news coverage. Expectations are high, but meeting them is satisfying. The people are true professionals but always put the human being before the worker.

Cons

While meeting the expectations is a great feeling, failing to meet them is way worse. The already inherent pressure of the news business is exacerbated by persistent updating and pestering that interferes with the ability to do the job. There is also a failure at times to recognize we are humans doing our best.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 21 Reviews

Glassdoor has 22 KCTV5 reviews submitted anonymously by KCTV5 employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if KCTV5 is right for you.