The fourth season of the World Poker Tour will have a new host now that Shana Hiatt will no longer be behind the microphone and television cameras of the Travel Channel.  Replacing her is the attractive and competent Courtney Friel, who although did not know much about poker at the time she was hired, now has a bag of tricks since completing the World Poker Tour Boot Camp.

Friel has an impressive resume, especially considering it is only built with six years of experience in the professional broadcasting world.  The smart, cheery blonde graduated from San Diego State University in 1999 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Minor in Broadcast Journalism, after which, she settled with the Los Angeles-based Channel One and worked as a reporter and anchor in Jackson TN, as well as in a Palm Springs newsroom.  Her resume also includes credits with E! Entertainment Television and EBTV Gaming.

After being notified that she got the job, Friel went on record saying she would be bringing all of her skills and talents (which includes operating a teleprompter with her foot) to the fans of the World Poker Tour.  Her confident and positive tone has been very contagious with Travel Channel executives so far, as it has also been with the video crew ready to get rolling on the new season.  With an even greater popularity rating for online poker, online casino gambling, and the World Poker Tour itself, Friel will be a very recognizable name and face in the coming year.