NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Regis and Kelly are going to have some new competition next year. Fox Television Stations and Twentieth Television will launch in January 2007 a national morning show hosted by Mike Jerrick and Juliet Huddy. The show will feature general-interest and pop-culture programming, as well as audience interaction.
Juliet Huddy and Mike Jerrick will butt into Regis and Kelly territory.
"We want to create a dynamic hour that is not only light and fun but also informative -- we want to deal with current issues that are on the minds of our viewers," said Bob Cook, president-chief operating officer, Twentieth Television. The new hour-long show, which is still unnamed, will broadcast live from New York to all Fox-owned and -operated affiliates, and will air at 9 a.m. in most markets. Mr. Jerrick and Ms. Huddy currently host Fox News Channel's "DaySide" and will continue to do so until the fall.
From fun to serious
More specific details about the programming have yet to be worked out, but Mr. Cook said the show will be ready to tackle some breaking news. "These two have that uncanny talent to go from fun to being really serious news reporters," he said. "I think that's an interesting hook and advantage."
"The stations are thrilled about this program as it furthers our strategy of creating original talk and news blocks in the mid-morning," said Dennis Swanson, president-operations, Fox Television Stations.
Timing is right
Mr. Cook said the timing is right for the launch because Fox affiliates' morning shows, such as "Good Day New York" and "Good Day Philadelphia," are growing in numbers, strength and performance. "That, coupled with finding talent that was pretty unique, suggested to us that we should develop a show and put in an hour program," Mr. Cook said.
Twentieth Television and Fox are relying on the strong lead-in shows and the freshness of a new show in a crop of long-running morning programs to garner audiences and advertisers alike. "We aren't reinventing the morning show, but we are adding some new elements that will make it feel fresh and different," he said.
