HLN Adds 'Evening Express' With Ryan Smith

HLN is expanding its successful morning program – Morning Express with Robin Meade – into the nighttime hours. Evening Express will by hosted by HLN’s Ryan Smith, who rose to prominence at the network during coverage of the Casey Anthony and Conrad Murray trials. Evening Express will occupy the 5-7 p.m. block beginning June 4.

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The announcement came Tuesday from Scot Safon, executive vp and general manager, HLN.

Smith’s show will air weeknights and also feature personal finance expert Clark Howard, who appears frequently on Morning Express, and CNN’s Isha Sesay, who hosts CNN NewsCenter and also does the "360 Bulletin" on Anderson Cooper’s show.

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"HLN is excited to offer our viewers an evening news program that centers on the news and information they’ll discuss around the dinner table,” said Safon in a statement. “The format and tone of Evening Express was inspired by our hit show Morning Express with Robin Meade. Viewers tell us all the time that they love how Robin and the Morning Express team start their day on HLN, and now Ryan, Clark and Isha will be welcoming them home in the evening."

Evening Express replaces hours hosted by Vinnie Politan who will transition to a new dayside role at HLN. He will als continue his role on TruTV's In Session.