ABC produces third hour of 'Good Morning America'

"Today" morning talk show adds a fourth hour, rival "Good Morning America" has quietly expanded to three.

Photo: ABC produces third hour of 'Good Morning America'

ABC began producing the third hour of "GMA" on Tuesday for its "ABC News Now" service, available primarily as a subscription-only service for broadband and mobile phone customers.

Chris Cuomo and weatherman Sam Champion are hosts of the third hour.

The "ABC News Now" service is available as a traditional cable TV network in less than one percent of the United States' homes. It is also available for free as a broadband service to an estimated 28 million people; others must pay a subscription fee to see it via computer or handheld device.

NBC's "Today" already airs three hours a day and, next Monday, will begin beaming a fourth hour with Ann Curry, national correspondent Natalie Morales and correspondent Hoda Kotb as hosts.

"Good Morning America" has little ability to expand on television, since ABC's stations have a strong morning lineup of syndicated fare led with "Live with Regis and Kelly."