Gray’s WXIX is planning on adding a new evening newscast early next year that will air between all the political ads.

And the station has hired a familiar face in the market.

Former WCPO morning anchor Chris Riva will return to local airwaves next week in preparation for early evening news expansion.

Riva, whose WCPO contract was not renewed in 2018, will be an anchor-reporter when the Gray station adds 5-6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts on Jan. 6.

WXIX has been planning an early evening local news expansion since January when Gray Television acquired Raycom Media stations.

Starting Jan. 6, WXIX will broadcast 11 hours and five minutes of news every weekday: 4:30-11 a.m.; 4-7 p.m., and 10-11:35 p.m.

H/T Cincinnati Business Courier