Finding a healthy newsroom isn’t easy!
For years, journalists have relied on word of mouth, private Facebook groups, and personal connections to learn what it’s really like behind the scenes at local television stations. But today, thousands of current and former journalists are helping change that through anonymous newsroom reviews.
Using employee feedback submitted to RateMyStation between 2017 and 2026, we analyzed nearly 1,600 reviews to identify the local television stations that consistently receive the MOST positive workplace feedback!
Unlike rankings based solely on ratings or audience size, these rankings focus on what matters most to employees:
• Workplace culture
• Leadership
• Respect in the newsroom
• Professional development
• Overall employee satisfaction
• Reports of discrimination and harassment
To ensure fairness, stations with more reviews were weighted more heavily than stations with only one or two submissions.
So, without futher ado, here are the highest-rated local TV news stations to work for in America:
1. WPDE (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 97
WPDE earned the highest overall ranking, thanks to consistently positive employee reviews. Staff frequently described the newsroom as supportive, collaborative, and an excellent place for journalists beginning their careers. In fact, most recently, an anonymous MMJ wanted interested journalists to know, "This is likely one of the best stations to start your career at if you're given the chance, or make the jump to a bigger market if you're coming from a small station."
2. WAND (Decatur, Illinois)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 92
With one of the largest numbers of positive reviews on RateMyStation, WAND stands out for maintaining strong employee satisfaction across many submissions. When asked for additional comments, one MMJ wrote, "This is the place to be, environment is positive. People are caring." Simply put, the amount of employees who left a positive review makes WAND's ranking especially impressive.
3. KATV (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 58
Employees praised KATV for its newsroom environment, teamwork, and opportunities for career growth. One anonymous Producer even thought to mention the fact that, "Management is very supportive and encouraging of staff and wants to help support what we want to do."
4. KLBK | KAMC (Lubbock, Texas)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 140
Current and former employees consistently described EverythingLubbock as professional and supportive, making it one of the highest-rated stations in the country. Unfortunatly, this news station earned a lower spot on our overall list, due to mixed reviews. Most recently, one MMJ wrote, "It's really a hit or miss - some of the people are amazing and helpful but there is A LOT of shit talking behind backs."
Apply to work for EverythingLubbock.
5. KMEG | KPTH (Sioux City, Iowa)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 149
FOX44 earned their spot on this list after receiving an overwhelmingly amount of positive feedback regarding workplace culture and management. When asked for more feedback, one anonymous news anchor wrote, "Highly recommend moving here for a first market. There is so much room for growth."
6. WCBI (Columbus, Mississippi)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 134
Over the years, WCBI has received several tags describing the newsroom as Organized, Postiive, Fun, Educational and Open to Creative Control. Employees frequently highlighted positive leadership, and a welcoming newsroom culture. However, one honest reporter did have this to say, "Sometimes things can get a bit unorganized which causes a lack of communication, but overall this is a really good news room."
7. KOLR (Springfield, Missouri)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 74
Despite a relatively modest number of reviews, KOLR maintained consistently positive ratings across nearly every workplace category. One Producer even described their fellow coworkers as being, "Great and dedicated to great journalism."
8. KPLC (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 177
KPLC received a lot of praise for newsroom leadership, employee morale, and providing valuable experience for journalists early in their careers. Sadly, this newsroom didn't make it to the top of our list after one news Anchor wrote, "KPLC was once an incredible place to work, you could truly walk into the building and be happy in the workplace. Sure there was a struggle or two but nothing that doesn't come with working in the professional world."
9. WJFW (Rhinelander, Wisconsin)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 133
Employees described WJFW as a positive environment, with supportive coworkers and opportunities for professional development. Unfortunatly, this newsroom is sitting at No. 9 on our list because three different news Anchors listed experiencing an Overall Toxic Work Environment while working there.
Apply to work for Newswatch12.
10. WTVO (Rockford, Illinois)
Nielsen DMA Ranking: 137
Last, but not least, WTVO is the No. 10 highest-rated newsroom on our list! Reviewers consistently mentioned strong teamwork and an enjoyable newsroom atmosphere. Although several employees described the newsroom as being Organized, Educational, Positive and Fun, one Photographer wrote, "Everyone in leadership had an ego and thought of way too highly themselves."
How We Ranked These Newsrooms
Our rankings are based on anonymous employee reviews submitted to RateMyStation between the years 2017 and 2026.
Rather than relying solely on an average star rating, we considered several workplace factors, including:
1. Overall newsroom culture
2. Management quality
3. Reports of discrimination
4. Reports of harassment
5. Employee satisfaction
6. Consistency of positive reviews
7. Number of employee submissions
Note: Stations with more employee reviews were weighted more heavily than stations with only a handful of responses.
Why Does This List Matter?
A newsroom’s culture affects everything, from employee retention and mental health, to the quality of journalism viewers receive.
As more journalists anonymously share their workplace experiences, prospective employees can make better-informed career decisions while, encouraging healthier workplace cultures across the television news industry. If you’ve worked in local television news, you can help future journalists by sharing your anonymous newsroom experience on RateMyStation.
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