Baltimore NBC affiliate WBAL is adding a 7 p.m. newscast that starts Monday, September 15.
The newscast will be co-anchored by Jason Newton and Ashley Hinson, along with longtime morning meteorologist Ava Marie, who moves to 7 p.m.
“Expanding our marketing leading news offerings is further proof of our continued commitment to our viewers,” WBAL president and general manager Dan Joerres said in a statement. “Having the most-experienced team of local journalists in the marketplace is a distinct advantage for our brand. This newscast will follow the powerful half-hour of ‘NBC Nightly News,’ fitting seamlessly into the evolving schedules of our loyal viewers, while delivering a key audience valued by our advertising partners.”
Marie will also join chief meteorologist Tom Tasselmyer during the 4 and 5 p.m. shows, along with the WBAL-TV 11 News at 10 p.m. on MeTV Baltimore (Digital Channel 11-2, Comcast 208, Verizon FiOS 460, Broadstripe 165, DirecTV 77 and DISH 247).
To replace Marie, Alena Lee will join the morning news team of Lacee Griffith, Megan Rivers and Sean Streicher weekdays from 4:30-7 a.m.
The Hearst owned station said that with the new newscast WBAL will now produce 42 hours of local news each week.
Inside Edition will move to weeknights at 7:30 p.m.