Tribune’s Los Angeles CW affiliate KTLA has revealed who will take over for Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards as hosts of The Rose Parade.
In 2017, Leeza Gibbons and Mark Steines will host the parade’s 70th year on-air. Edwards and Eubanks announced this year’s parade would be their last after 35 years together.
“KTLA is thrilled to have Mark and Leeza on-board,” said KTLA president and gm, Don Corsini. “With a proven combination of experience, national acclaim and a true love for the Rose Parade, Mark and Leeza will honor the legacy that Bob and Stephanie leave, while bringing their own personality and professionalism.”
“Bob and Stephanie ARE the Rose Parade and I’m among their fans who will miss them most. No one does it better.” said Gibbons. “They have always ushered in the New Year with warmth and style, creating a beautiful friendship with viewers. I am honored to carry the torch, along with Mark Steines, and am grateful to everyone at KTLA for trusting us to continue this treasured tradition.”
Gibbons has hosted Entertainment Tonight and her talk show Leeza. In addition to hosting the Rose Parade, Gibbons will be an advisor on the 2016 season of Celebrity Apprentice.
“Bob and Stephanie are the gold standard of Parade hosts,” said Mark Steines. “I am grateful that they are trusting us to continue their legacy and bring all of the Rose Parade’s pageantry, entertainment and tradition to millions of families in 2017.”
Steines hosts Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family. He worked at Entertainment Tonight for 17 years before joining the Hallmark Channel and started his career a sports anchor on KCAL in Los Angeles.
KTLA partners with Hallmark for national distribution of the KTLA Rose Parade broadcast.
The first KTLA broadcast of the Rose Parade was on January 1, 1948. The station aired it in 1947 on experimental station W6XYZ.