Anderson Cooper gets daytime talk show

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper has confirmed he is starting up a new syndicated daytime talk show expected to begin in the fall of 2011.

Cooper is also to serve as executive producer on the as-yet-untitled show, which will not have a hard-news focus, The Hollywood Reporter said. The popular television personality said he plans to remain as host of his CNN program "Anderson Cooper 360" as well.

"Over the course of the past few years, I've had the opportunity to work on a number of daytime programs," Cooper said. "It's fun and interesting to work in daytime television. The format is unique and you can really go in-depth on a wide range of fascinating and compelling stories. With this new program I hope to relay important information and relate to people and the audience in a completely different way. It's an exciting opportunity to show another side of myself and create something worthwhile and special in daytime."

"There is a great opportunity in the marketplace for this type of show," said Ken Werner, president of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. "Fall '11 begins a transition period when long-established franchises are leaving the air and making way for a new generation of shows. Anderson Cooper is one of the most distinctive voices of the next generation of television. His popularity and skills uniquely position him to be the next big syndication franchise."