The BBC said the channel always planned to carry UK news for local viewers.
Hockings will be on air between 12-3PM following internal piloting.
Theres a lot of unhappiness in the newsroom about how they have been treated.
Lucy Hockings is one of the Chief Presenters on the relaunched BBC News channel.BBC News
The rethink comes as UK media regulator Ofcom voiced concerns about the merger.
This studio is usually reserved for weather forecasts and is equipped with a manual autocue.
Its a very Micky Mouse, basic studio, said a source.
Naja Nielsen
We need to modernise the way we deliver the news while addressing the financial challenges we face.
Other opt-outs for UK viewers will include flagship BBC1 news bulletins andNewsnight, BBC2s nightly current affairs show.
A TV version of Radio 5 LivesNicky Campbell Showis not yet ready to launch.
There has been an exodus of journalism talent from the BBC in the past two years.
