Roker gets Weather Channel show

ATLANTA, April 29 (UPI) -- U.S. TV weatherman Al Roker has been named host of "Wake Up with Al," a new weekday morning program, The Weather Channel said Wednesday.

The network's Stephanie Abrams will serve as co-host of the one-hour program that will air weekdays from 6-7 a.m. ET beginning this summer.

Roker, a seven-time Emmy Award-winner, has been the weather and feature reporter on NBC's "Today" program since 1996. He plans to continue his duties with that show, as well as his own series.

"Simply put -- Al Roker is synonymous with weather. He has an energy and a style that jumps off the screen, and we already know that people want to wake up with him in the morning," Lisa Gersh, interim chief executive officer of The Weather Channel, said in a statement. "We have spent months coming up with the right way to integrate Al into The Weather Channel's programming, and I think, alongside Stephanie, we've come up with the perfect formula with this announcement."

Roker is expected to appear both in the studio and in the field, The Weather Channel said.

"Over the years, I have been out covering the same snowstorms, hurricanes and tornado aftermath as the folks at The Weather Channel. It is really exciting to be working on The Weather Channel, bringing the best weather information to people as they start their day," Roker said.