WTVC-TV NewsChannel 9 announced three changes to its on air lineup. Senior Meteorologist Bill Race will take over weekend weather coverage in both the morning newscast in addition to evenings. Meteorologist Brian Smith joins the team at Good Morning Chattanooga, Monday-Friday and Sunny 92.3 FM’s James Howard will become the new host of This N That.
“These are three great moves for both our station and our viewers,” said Mike Costa, general manager. “Bill brings his many years as a top meteorologist in this market to our weekend newscasts. Brian joining the weekday GMC team is a natural fit. He has the expertise and dependability that our morning viewers have come to expect. Being able to secure Sunny 92.3’s James Howard as the host of the long-running, #1 local daytime show is a plus for our viewers, NewsChannel 9 and for Sunny 92.3. James will continue to host his number one rated radio show each weekday morning on Sunny 92.3 and then finish his day with the great viewers of This N That.
The changes were set in motion when Mr. Race expressed interest in moving to weekends last summer. “This was my choice,” said Mr. Race. “I was looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to do more feature reporting. This move allows me to do that and helped make possible my new feature series, The Human Race.”
Mr. Smith, who had been the fill in meteorologist and host of the station’s This N That program, stepped in to fill the vacancy while a search was conducted for Mr. Race's replacement. It soon became apparent to both Mr. Smith and the station that the right person for the job was already in the building. “In the beginning, I had no intention of making a change,” said Mr. Smith, “I really enjoyed hosting This N That. But the longer I filled in on Good Morning Chattanooga and spent time with the amazing team there, the more I missed doing the weather – which has always been my first love.”
Mr. Howard adds the duties of hosting This N That to his day. He will continue doing his radio show on Sunny 92.3 FM. “I’m so excited to have this opportunity,” said Mr. Howard. “I’ve always enjoyed filling in on This N That and always wanted to do more. But I also love working with Kim in the mornings and wasn’t ready to give that up. Now, I don’t have to; I have the best of both worlds.” Mr. Howard has been the fill in host of This N That since 2012. His first day as the new host will be Wednesday.