Eric Kahnert anchors 9NEWS weekend evenings with Cheryl Preheim, and also reports during the week. Eric says he's blessed with a great family, an awesome job, and wonderful co-workers. "I have a lot to smile about," Eric says. On that note, you should know that not all of Eric's teeth are the originals. He lost one of his front teeth many years ago while playing hockey. Hopefully you'll never have to see him gap-toothed!

A Minnesota native, Eric traded in the snow boots for flip-flops and headed out to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles to receive his broadcast journalism degree. Go Trojans! After graduation, he headed back to Minnesota to start his career as a Reporter and Anchor at the NBC affiliate in Rochester, MN. After a short stint there, Eric was off to Albuquerque, New Mexico to work for another NBC affiliate as an Anchor and Reporter. Sticking with the NBC affiliates, he moved to Denver to work at 9NEWS in 2009. "Working for a nationally recognized station like 9NEWS is a real honor. I am proud to be part of such a dedicated team of professional journalists," Eric says.

Eric has won numerous first place awards for his reporting, anchoring, and breaking news coverage over the years, including Emmy nominations. His investigative reports have uncovered corruption, led to arrests, and have sparked policy changes. Eric feels journalists have the unique opportunity and responsibility to reveal both positive and negative issues going on in the community. Although he has interviewed serial killers, politicians, sports heroes and celebrities, Eric's favorite interviews are with people out in the community. "I am fortunate to be able to meet so many great people in Colorado on a daily basis, and tell their story," Eric says. Besides anchoring and reporting, Eric also heads up the station's 9NEWS Great Hang Up campaign, a community program aimed at reducing distracted driving fatalities and crashes.

Eric lives in Denver and enjoys spending time with his wife and their newborn son, Kaden.

He also enjoys volunteering in the community, working out, and cheering on his favorite college team, the USC Trojans.

1. Writing 2. Editing 3. Interviewing

Anchor, Reporter, Editor, Photographer

ATVN gave me real world experience, and prepared me for the duties I perform everyday. The ATVN staff and journalism professors gave me the skills to be successful in a small market news station, and quickly move into the larger markets. ATVN taught me to push myself to be the best and always be willing to learn new things.  Knowing how to write, shoot and edit in college still benefits me today.

Work on your storytelling ability. Put yourself in the shoes of the viewer and ask, “What would make this story interesting?” Humanize your stories, so viewers can relate to what you are saying.  Don’t throw facts and numbers at someone without explaining how it will affect them. Work on your writing and be conversational. Every time you look into
that camera you should feel as if you are simply holding a conversation with your viewer. Tell your story visually as well; sequence and the pace of pictures are just as important as the words over them. Remember, TV is a visual medium; therefore, work on your editing skills. Listen to your instructors; they know what they’re talking about. 

Don’t do it for the money, do it for the experience. Make sure you understand your contract’s “outs” and the small print. Find out how the other employees like their positions, and WHERE some of the other people in that position have gone. Be sure to understand the duties of the position before signing. Make sure you will have opportunities to move up or try new positions to gain experience; it will make yourself more marketable.