John Antonio is returning to WABC in New York as the new vice president of news, effective April 29, 2025. “John Antonio is an accomplished news executive with a solid track record of successfully leading and modernizing news teams across various platforms,” said Marilu Galvez, the station’s president and general manager. “Having worked with John in the past, we are excited to welcome him back to the Eyewitness News team. I am confident that he will use his expertise and vision to further enhance the station’s success, providing the highest quality local news.”
Antonio will report directly to Galvez. In a statement, Antonio expressed his excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to rejoin my WABC family and grateful for the opportunity to lead the talented Eyewitness News team in creating exceptional content that sets the standard in our industry. It’s a privilege to return to my roots and work once again with this amazing team, renowned for its excellent news coverage, delivering important stories and vital information that impacts millions of viewers.”
Before this appointment, Antonio served as senior vice president of programming for CNN’s U.S. operations in Atlanta, overseeing approximately 55 hours of live television weekly. His leadership at CNN encompassed significant events including the January 6th insurrection, the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous other major national and international stories. He also played a crucial role in CNN’s award-winning coverage of the Arab Spring and managed extensive live coverage of the Derek Chauvin trial.
Prior to his time at CNN, Antonio held the position of managing editor at WABC New York, where he directed a team of over 30 producers and writers. He also served as executive producer for the station's 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts. His earlier experience includes a role as executive producer of special projects at WFXT in Boston. Antonio is a University of Florida journalism graduate.