Erin Burnett says she’s not going to worry about the ratings for her new CNN show, which debuts Monday.
“Once you start doing that, it’s like death,” she told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We just want to put on a show that we’re passionate about and fulfills its mission.”
Her show, Erin Burnett OutFront, is taking over the 7 p.m. time slot from John King USA, which will move to 6 p.m.
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Burnett has been working on the program for several months, hiring her team from scratch and recently doing test shows.
“It was like starting a new business,” Burnett said.
So what can viewers expect? Burnett said she has a particular interest in such topics as the Middle East, China’s growing influence and women’s issues.
STORY: It’s Official: Erin Burnett Joins CNN
“I’m a female anchor in primetime,” she said. “It’s a strength we can take advantage of.”
Burnett joined CNN in the spring after serving as co-anchor of CBS’ Squawk on the Street and host of its Street Signs. She previously worked as a writer on CNN’s Moneyline.
“Erin is the kind of all-star player that knows how to connect-the-dots and translate events into relevant information for viewers,” CNN Worldwide president Jim Walton said in April when Burnett’s hiring was made official.
