WLS-Channel 7 weekend sports anchor Ryan Chiaverini and WGN-Channel 9 morning show anchor and traffic reporter Valerie Warner have been tapped as hosts of Channel 7's new morning show that has the working title "Morning Rush."

The new program, which will air at 9 a.m. live in front of a studio audience, could launch as early as late spring, soon after the final installment of the "Oprah Winfrey Show" airs in late May.

Chiaverini and Warner were selected from some 80 contenders for the co-host job that were given serious consideration by "Morning Rush" executive producer Marlaine Selip and supervising producer Cindy Patrasso. Some 20 of those 80 finalists were paired together over the course of several weeks of auditions to determine which duo had the best chemistry.

Selip said Chiaverini got the nod, in large part, because of his "warmth and likeability." Selip also called Warner "smart, relatable and just plain fun to watch."

Chiaverini joined the WLS news team in 2006. In addition to serving as weekend sports anchor and weekday reporter, Chiaverini has hosted "The Chicago Huddle," where he liked to do fun segments bantering with Chicago Bears players.

Warner joined Channel 9 in 2005 as weekday morning show anchor. Among other things, she has reported on politics and health topics, including diabetes and breast cancer.