CNBC anchor Erin Burnett jumping to CNN

[April 30, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Erin Burnett, one of CNBC's most visible personalities, is jumping to CNN.

The news network announced Friday that it had signed Burnett to host a general news program that will appear sometime after she arrives at CNN in June. The format and time slot have not been determined, said Ken Jautz, CNN executive vice president.

Burnett is currently on the air for three hours during business days at CNBC, first as co-anchor with Mark Haines on "Squawk on the Street" from 9 to 11 a.m., then on her own "Street Signs" from 2 to 3 p.m. She also makes appearances on many NBC News programs, like "Today," "Meet the Press" and "Nightly News."

"Erin Burnett is a rising star and she is a proven expert in her field," Jautz said. "She's grounded in business but not limited to business. She'll be a great addition to CNN."

He said her hiring fits with his plans to add depth and substance to CNN's overall news coverage.

Jautz said he was "keeping my options open" on whether Burnett's program, still under development, would be during the daytime or evening.

Mark Steel, spokesman for CNBC, said that "we wish Erin the best and thank her for all of her quality contributions, of which there have been many."

[Associated Press; By DAVID BAUDER]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.