WFTV Channel 9 will extend its popular morning news to sister station WRDQ Channel 27 next month. Viewers will be able to watch Vanessa Echols and Greg Warmoth from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on WRDQ, starting Jan. 15. They air on  WFTV from 5 to 7 a.m.

"We've done some research that shows there is a hunger for local news," said Shawn Bartelt, general manager of both stations.

"We're coming from a position of strength. Viewers want an option that will give them local news, weather and traffic."

This extended newscast will go against NBC's Today and ABC's Good Morning America, which airs on WFTV.

Photo of Vanessa Echols by Roberto Gonzalez/Orlando Sentinel

WOFL-Channel 35 announced Monday that it will start a 5 p.m. newscast on March 6, and morning anchor Amy Kaufeldt will shift to that hour telecast. Chief meteorologist Glenn Richards will have a major role as well in the new broadcast.