GMA's Sam Champion and HLN's A.J. Hammer and Robin Meade to Host 2013 Daytime Emmys

HLN, the host network of the annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy(R) Awards show, now in its 40th year, presented live from The Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 16, 8-10 p.m., ET/PT, today announces ABC's Good Morning America's Sam Champion along with HLN's own A.J. Hammer and Robin Meade to host this year's landmark awards show.

Additionally, Kathy Griffin, Rachael Ray, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Erika Slezak, Kristen Alderson, Nancy Lee Grahn, Lindsey Morgan, Freddie Smith, the ladies of "The Talk" including Julie Chen, Sharon Osbourne, Sara Gilbert, Aisha Tyler and Sheryl Underwood, Jason Thompson, Chandler Massey and Jacqueline MacInnes Wood have also been confirmed to present. Teen powerhouse Italian Opera trio -- IL Volo is confirmed to perform their hit song, "Mas Que Amor" during the "In Memoriam" tribute.

This year's host Sam Champion is the weather anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America" (M-F, 7-9 a.m. ET) and also serves as weather editor for ABC News. In addition to reporting the national forecast, Champion frequently travels to weather-related stories around the country and globe. Most recently he reported from Moore, Oklahoma after the devastating tornado. Champion is at the forefront of reporting on the environment and climate change. He also hosts "Sea Rescue," a half-hour weekly television series broadcast nationally on Saturday mornings.

Meade, host of HLN's "Morning Express with Robin Meade" (M-F, 6-10 a.m. ET) and accomplished country artist will sing both best song nominees, "This Day" by Sheryl Crow for "Katie," and "Good Afternoon" by Little Big Town for "Good Afternoon America." Her sophomore album "Count On Me" (June 12, 2013 iTunes & Target) comes after her musical debut "Brand New Day" (2011) reached #24 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and won strong praise for the alto.

A.J. Hammer, host of HLN's "Showbiz Tonight" (M-Th, 11 p.m.- midnight ET), has also been tapped to host this year's LIVE red carpet special "Showbiz @ The Daytime Emmys" along with HLN's Christi Paul where they will get one-on-one interviews with the evening's biggest stars including Rachael Ray, Wayne Brady, Monty Hall, Sharon Osbourne, Julie Chen, Sheryl Underwood, Aisha Tyler, Sara Gilbert and daytime TV show newcomer Kris Jenner. Meade will host "Morning Express with Robin Meade" live from the Beverly Hilton on Monday, June 17, and will be joined by A.J. for a Daytime Emmy's wrap up, and "Weekend Express with Natasha Curry" will also originate from LA and provide a Daytime Emmy's preview.

Previously announced presenters include some of the biggest names in television, past, present and future including Steve Harvey, Betty White, Wayne Brady, Alex Trebek, Todd Newton and the newest additions to daytime TV, Bethenny Frankel and Kris Jenner. The Young and the Restless' hot, young stars Max Ehrich, Bryton James and Hunter King were also announced to present with Corbin Bernsen and Jess Walton to introduce the "in memoriam" tribute. Additionally announced, Wayne Brady to present Game Show Icon Monty Hall and Betty White to present Legendary Producer Bob Stewart with this year's Lifetime Achievement Awards.

2013 marks the landmark 40th anniversary of the Daytime Emmy(R) Awards, representing four decades of achievement within the Daytime Community. The theme of past, present and future will be a defining constant throughout this year's monumental telecast honoring this special anniversary.

In April, it was announced HLN would return as the host network of the annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy(R) Awards show by Scot Safon, Executive Vice President & General Manager, HLN, and Malachy Wienges, Chairman, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Viewer integration will be part of the presentation with featured segments on air and online at HLNtv.com. The 40th annual Daytime Emmy Awards is produced by LocoDistro; Gabriel Gornell is founder and the show's executive producer; David Michaels is co-executive producer of the show and senior executive director, The Daytime Emmy(R) Awards; Dave Levine is co-executive producer of the show and executive producer of HLN's "Showbiz Tonight."

About HLN: HLN is the national television network that focuses on the "must-see, must-share" stories of the day. Drawing upon the network's deep bench of talent, HLN dissects and demystifies the news stories and newsmakers people are talking about. HLNtv.com, the network's digital platform, is the online destination for users to go deeper into the top stories driving the conversation and generating the national buzz. HLN is a CNN Worldwide network reaching more than 100 million households in the U.S. CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is themost trusted source for news and information.

About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and thepromotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy(R) Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, and Technology & Engineering. NATAS membership consists of broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the country. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional StudentTelevision and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public. For moreinformation, visit the website at www.emmyonline.tv.

About LocoDistro
LocoDistro is an entertainment company for film, television and new media offering production, distribution, and consulting services. For production partners we offer award-winning services in all areas of live-action, animation and event-based entertainment production. For distribution & acquisitions partners we offer a full slate of noteworthy feature films, as well as scripted and unscripted TV programming. Based in New York City, the LocoDistro team represents a blend of creative power, audience insight and financial discipline. Team members areexperts in what audiences respond to, and experts in how to reach these audiences most effectively. www.LocoDistro.com

Pictured: Sam Champion. Photo Credit: Walter McBride.

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