Ken Rosato | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 4, 1967 |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Notable credit | Morning anchor for WABC-TV (2007–2023) (with Shirleen Allicot) |
Ken Rosato is an American journalist who served as the morning anchor for WABC-TV from 2007 until his dismissal in May 2023.[1]
Rosato graduated from Regis High School in New York City. He then pursued a bachelor's degree in Film, TV, and Radio at New York University. Following his undergraduate studies, Rosato obtained a master's degree in Spanish and Italian.[citation needed]
Before his tenure at WABC-TV, Rosato worked as an anchor and reporter at WNYW-TV in New York City from 2002 to 2003. He also spent time in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida as an anchor at WFOR-TV from 1998 to 2002, alongside colleagues Jeff Pegues and Phil Lipof. Rosato served as a panelist on "WLIW 21 Edition" on WLIW21.[citation needed]
Additionally, Rosato worked as an anchor for 1010 WINS Radio in New York City. He held the positions of News Director and main anchor at WBLI-FM/Long Island (where he was known as "Ken Rhodes") and WLNY-TV/New York (now owned by CBS).[citation needed]
Rosato also has experience as a Top 40 radio host and has worked at stations such as WVIP, WSPK, and WFLY.[citation needed]
Rosato joined WABC-TV in 2003 as a freelance reporter.[1] On July 6, 2007, it was announced that Rosato would be joining Lori Stokes and Bill Evans as a co-anchor on Eyewitness News This Morning and Eyewitness News at Noon.[2]
Rosato began regularly filling in at the anchor desk on June 4, 2007. According to the New York Daily News, "Of all the reporters and anchors that have sat in during the four-month trial period, Rosato stands out from the rest when he sits next to Lori." WABC-TV's managers also mentioned that Rosato would replace Bartelstein exactly four months after Bartelstein's last newscast for Channel 7. WABC-TV stated that Rosato "provided the most journalistic credibility."[3]
Rosato officially assumed the role of morning and noon anchor on July 9, 2007, although he had filled in since July 5.
He received an Emmy Award for his reporting on a steam pipe explosion in New York City on July 19, 2007.
On April 29, 2010, it was announced that Rosato would return to Eyewitness News This Morning that day after being on leave for three weeks following surgery to remove a non-functional kidney.[4]
In May 2023, Rosato was dismissed from WABC. According to reports, he made an offensive comment directed at co-anchor Shirleen Allicot, which was picked up by a hot mic and heard by everyone in the studio.[1]