MANCHESTER - Veteran broadcast newsman Jack Heath is moving his "New Hampshire Today" radio talk show to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment stations WGIR 610 AM in Manchester and 96.7 FM The Wave in Portsmouth.

Heath's program has been airing on The Pulse WTPL-FM in Concord for the past five years.

At the Clear Channel stations, Heath's program will air from 6 to 9 a.m. beginning Monday, Feb. 18, and will include discussions, roundtables and interviews on the current topics and politics.

An official announcement on the move is expected on Wednesday.

Heath, a former news director at WMUR television and a 1996 candidate for the U.S. House, confirmed the move and said he was excited about it "because it's Manchester, the state's largest city, and the Seacoast, and there is a potential to build an audience and get good talk on the issues and good sponsors."

"I've certainly enjoyed where I've been," he said. "But this will be more of a statewide platform. It will be a fun challenge."

Clear Channel general manager Joe Graham said, "We are ecstatic to have Jack join us. Our goal is to provide the best content for our listeners. In bringing in Jack as a long-time New Hampshire insider, we know he is going to have a great perspective."

Graham said Heath also fits the company's role of having extensive community involvement.