Art dealer Dan Elias has been named by WBGH Boston as the new host of “The Antiques Roadshow” (8 p.m. Fridays, WTTW-Ch. 11), PBS’ highest rated prime-time series, with 14 million viewers tuning in weekly. Elias replaces Chris Jussel, whose tenure ends with the wrap of the program’s fourth season, airing currently. Jussel leaves to head SOTHEBYS.COM, the venerable auction house’s newly launched Internet auction site.
Elias won’t be seen on the air until January 2001, but he will be in production during program tapings this summer. An owner of a Boston contemporary art gallery, Elias is not an antiques expert but has insight into that industry through his wife, Karen Keane, chief executive officer of the Boston-based auction house Skinner Inc., who frequently appears on the series.