Z100’s “Elvis Duran And The Morning Show” Welcomes New Co-Host

Bethany Watson Joins Nationally Syndicated Top-Rated Morning Show ...it's the most listened to Top 40 show in America

Clear Channel CHR WHTZ (Z100)/New York announced that Bethany Watson will join the Elvis Duran and The Morning Show as its new cohost. Beginning this Monday, August 13, listeners will hear Watson make her debut alongside Duran on New York’s Z100 and more than 40 other radio stations across the country.

Watson was born in Wisconsin and began her entertainment career at the University of Minnesota, where she studied theater and improvisational comedy. After finding herself at a desk job post-graduation, she decided to reach out to her favorite local radio show, The Dave Ryan in the Morning Show on 101.3 KDWB in Minneapolis, to apply for a vacant co-host position. Watson landed the job and co-hosted alongside Ryan for more than four years.

"After an exhausting worldwide search, we found her! Bethany brings lots of baggage, but the kind of baggage that makes for a fun, playful and thoughtful co-host," said Duran. "We can't wait to introduce her to our listeners Monday morning."

"Bethany has great chemistry with Elvis and the entire Morning Show, which will definitely entertain and engage listeners every morning," said Z100 PD Sharon Dastur. "After meeting her for the first time, we could tell within the first five minutes that she'd be a perfect fit for the show. We are thrilled to have Bethany join the team."

Watson replaces Carolina Bermudez, who left the Morning Show this spring to co-host Live From The Couch, airing weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on WLNY-TV.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has renewed its agreement with nationally syndicated radio personality Elvis Duran. Clear Channel and Duran, the AM drive show host of New York City's pop radio hit station Z100, will renew and extend their relationship. Duran hosts the wildly successful "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show" on New York's Z100 and more than 40 other radio stations across the country.

Under a new long-term agreement, Duran will continue his current role as host of the most-listened-to Top 40 morning show in the U.S., which is syndicated nationally by Premiere Networks, and expand his role with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. Duran will work with Clear Channel on a variety of future endeavors including talent and programming development as well as events. He will also serve as a spokesperson for the company.

"We are thrilled to extend and expand our partnership with Elvis. He is a true creative genius with an unparalleled ability to connect with and entertain listeners across the country," said John Hogan, Chairman and CEO of Channel Media and Entertainment. "His intelligence, warmth, enthusiasm and wit really resonate with listeners and work incredibly well with our marketing partners. He is a remarkable talent and an incredible partner for Clear Channel."

"It's exciting to be part of the new vision at Clear Channel Media and Entertainment," said Duran. "Fueled by the energy, focus and confidence of Bob Pittman, John Hogan and the CCM+E team in NYC and around the country, Clear Channel is making great strides in this industry. After 23 years at Z100, the best is yet to come."

Duran's radio career has spanned 30 years. In 1996, he began hosting the "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show" on New York's Z100 where its overwhelming success with listeners paved the way for a national syndication deal in 2009. Today, the show is being broadcasted across more than 40 radio stations, XM Satellite Radio, iHeartRadio.com and its mobile app.