Former “Today Show” co-host Tamron Hall is returning to television with a new talk show that could rival Megyn Kelly’s upcoming daytime program.
Hall will host and executive produce the untitled project, according to a Wednesday announcement by the Weinstein Company.
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Hall, 46, who co-hosted the third hour of “Today” with Al Roker on NBC, parted ways with the network after her contract expired at the beginning of the year. NBC cancelled her program in part to make room for the newly-signed Kelly, who moved to NBC after a long tenure at Fox News.
Former NBC Domestic Television Distribution president Barry Wallach will assist with the launch of Hall’s show. A date and broadcast channel has not yet been determined.
The program, which is expected to include news, interviews with celebrities and newsmakers and human interest stories, will be filmed before a live studio audience.
Kelly, also 46, signed with NBC for a reported $17 million per year in January. She will debut her weekday program in September at 9 a.m., which will also be shot before a live studio audience.
Hall’s new show will likely provide competition for Kelly’s daytime program.
TVNewser.com reports that “discussions are currently active with multiple broadcast networks” for Hall’s new show.
“I’ve been working towards developing a talk show for a long time, but needed to make sure I did it the right way and with the right person to take the lead. Tamron is far and away that person,” Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said in a statement.
“She’s an exceptionally talented journalist whose interviews masterfully walk the line between entertainment and hard hitting,” he said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to begin this new venture with her.”
Roker’s and Hall’s third hour of “Today” was routinely the highest-rated in its timeslot.
Hall was the first black female anchor in the 65-year history of the “Today Show.”