Every station that currently carries “The Oprah Winfrey Show” has a big hole to fill as it ends a long run – but none bigger than at WLS-TV in Chicago, the city from which Oprah originates her broadcasts. The station has now announced its programming solution.
WLS “ABC 7 Chicago” has named ABC 7 Sports/Anchor reporter Ryan Chiaverini and WGN-TV morning co-anchor and traffic reporter Valerie Warner to co-host a new, local morning show. WLS President & GM Emily Barr said the hour-long talk and entertainment program is scheduled to debut in late May 2011, after the Oprah Show wraps its final season.
In addition to the new co-hosts, several on-air contributors are being considered. Marlaine Selip is Executive Producer.
“We looked at hundreds of tapes and scores of auditions and found we had two enormously talented people right here in our own backyard. We are thrilled to have Valerie and Ryan as the face of our new show,” Barr said.
