• by Wayne Friedman , January 12, 2009

After testing "The Wendy Williams Show" last summer, syndicator Debmar-Mercury will launch the one-hour daytime talk show nationally this July.

The show, featuring the syndicated radio talk-show host, will debut in 70% of the U.S.--20 of the top 20 and 45 of the top 50 markets. Station groups that have signed on include Fox, CBS, NBC, Local TV, Tribune, Lin, Cox, Raycom, Meredith and New Vision.

The show will be taped live daily in New York City. Rob Dauber will return as executive producer.

Last summer, the Williams show launched as a six-week test on Fox's New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Detroit stations. Ratings increases in key women demographics--25-54 and 18-34--helped push Fox stations to ask for a longer commitment.

Mort Marcus, co-president of Debmar-Mercury, said in a release: "Rather than commit to an untested show based on the premise of a five-minute sales tape, stations across the country have eagerly sought out "The Wendy Williams Show" because they know it works extraordinarily well."

Debmar-Mercury also announced that veteran advertising sales executive Liz Koman has been named executive vice president of branded marketing for the program. Koman was senior vice president of broadcasting ad sales for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Before that, she held senior advertising posts at AMC, USA Network and Tribune Entertainment.