Daily Planet has tapped Ziya Tong as its new co-host alongside Jay Ingram, effective immediately. Tong has been a guest host on the science magazine series since November and replaces Natasha Stillwell, who left in 2007.

Discovery Channel Canada says Tong found favor with viewers, as Planet increased its viewership by 34% in the 25-54 demographic this past December, compared to 2007. It airs weeknights at 7 p.m.

Tong’s past hosting duties include the CBC variety show ZeD, CTV’s travel series Island Escapes, and science shows The Leading Edge for The Knowledge Network and Wired Science for PBS.

Meanwhile, Daily Planet has named Jeff MacDonald as its new executive producer. MacDonald was recently in charge of all feature stories for CBC’s coverage of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Planet is currently in its 14th season and will celebrate its 3,000th episode in May.