In the high-stakes world of cable news, we usually only recognize the faces in front of the camera. We know the anchors, the pundits, and the reporters who brave the wind on Capitol Hill. But Matthew Mario Rivera is a name you’ve likely seen in rolling credits or heard mentioned by his wife, CNN’s Kasie Hunt, rather than on a chyron.
He isn't a "talking head." He’s the guy who actually builds the digital architecture that makes modern news possible.
Most people first stumbled upon his name during a viral, slightly terrifying news cycle in 2023. It wasn't about a political scoop or a documentary. It was about a bathroom floor. When his daughter, Grey Hunt Rivera, decided she wasn't waiting for a hospital delivery, Matthew literally stepped into the role of a lifetime: unexpected midwife.
The Man Behind the Digital Curtain
Matthew Mario Rivera isn't just "Kasie Hunt’s husband." Honestly, that’s a lazy way to look at a career that has spanned some of the most influential newsrooms in America.
He started out at New York University. While there, he wasn't just coasting; he was actually grinding for the Sydney Gross Prize for Investigative Reporting. You don't get that for being "kinda" good at journalism. After graduating, he landed at The Wall Street Journal.
This was back when the "Journal" was still figuring out how to do video. Rivera was a pioneer there. He helped launch their in-depth video reporting initiatives. Basically, he taught old-school print reporters how to think in frames and soundbites. He even picked up a 2008 SABEW award for his efforts.
Moving to NBC and "Meet the Press"
In 2010, Matthew made the jump to NBC News. This is where he really hit his stride as a Senior Video Producer.
If you’ve watched "Meet the Press" in the last decade, you’ve seen his work. He was the mind behind many of the digital extensions of the show. While the Sunday morning broadcast is the flagship, the digital content—the stuff that keeps the brand alive on YouTube and social media—was largely his territory.
- He produced original series like 30 Seconds to Know.
- He managed the bridge between editorial and ad sales (a tricky balancing act).
- He mentored a new generation of digital producers as an adjunct professor at NYU.
That "13-Minute" Birth Story
We have to talk about March 2023. It's the moment that turned a private producer into a temporary tabloid fixture.
Kasie Hunt was scheduled for a C-section. Life had other plans. In their Washington D.C. home, Kasie went into a "precipitous labor." It lasted exactly 13 minutes. There was no time for an ambulance. There was barely time to breathe.
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Matthew ended up delivering their daughter, Grey, on the bathroom floor.
It sounds like a scene from a medical drama, but it was real. He had to stay calm while the 911 operator talked him through those first crucial breaths. It’s one thing to produce a live television show where things go wrong; it’s another thing to hold your newborn daughter before the paramedics even pull into the driveway.
Marriage and a Media Power Couple
Matthew and Kasie met the way many DC insiders do: at work. Specifically, they were both at NBC.
They tied the knot in 2017 at Shenandoah Woods in Virginia. It was a nondenominational ceremony that felt a world away from the "noise" of Washington. You’ve probably seen the photos—they are a classic "media power couple," though Matthew clearly prefers the background.
They’ve been through a lot. Before the dramatic birth of their daughter, Kasie underwent a four-hour surgery to remove a benign brain tumor in 2021. Through that recovery, and through the birth of their first son, Mars, Matthew has been the "anchor" behind the anchor.
What is Matthew Mario Rivera Doing Now?
As of 2026, Matthew continues to be a staple in the production world. He hasn't pivoted to being a celebrity influencer. He’s still about the work.
While Kasie moved over to CNN to host Early Start and later State of the Race, Matthew has remained a steady force in video production and digital strategy. He’s also spent time as an instructor, sharing his knowledge at places like the University at Buffalo and various international journalism programs.
Why His Career Matters
It’s easy to dismiss a producer's role. We think the news just happens.
But the transition from "newspaper" to "multimedia experience" required people like Rivera. He understood early on that a 1,000-word article isn't enough anymore. You need the video. You need the interactive element.
What you can learn from his path:
- Specialization is key: He didn't just do "news"; he mastered the technical side of video storytelling.
- Adaptability: Moving from the WSJ to NBC required shifting from a print-first to a broadcast-first mindset.
- Equanimity: Whether it’s a breaking news crisis or an at-home delivery, staying calm is a professional (and personal) superpower.
If you’re looking to follow a similar career path in media, your next step should be mastering cross-platform storytelling. Don't just learn how to write; learn how to edit, how to produce for vertical video, and how to manage the business side of digital media. That is where the industry is staying, and guys like Matthew Mario Rivera paved the road to get there.
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Next Steps for Aspiring Producers:
- Study the digital archives of Meet the Press to see how they translate 60-minute interviews into 60-second social clips.
- Look into the Sydney Gross Prize winners to see what kind of investigative work currently sets the bar.
- Practice "calm under fire"—whether that's in a control room or, apparently, a bathroom.