CNBC Stars Could Hit the Jackpot On New Fox Business Channel

If you're working at CNBC (GE) and don't have an agent yet, get one now. The 45th richest man in the world is shopping for talent.

Keynoting a Media Summit, sponsored by Business Week (whose conference division badly needs a good Webmaster - this awful site!), Rupert Murdoch began to lift the skirt on his plans for a Fox business channel. He said its programming - not unexpectedly - will be "More business friendly." Broadcasting & Cable also reported he added that CNBC "leap(s) into every scandal. There's an atmosphere to (CNBC) that's negative."

Later in the day, News Corp. (NWS) announced FOX Business Channel would launch in the 4th quarter with 30 million homes able to receive the service.

In what may have been an aside, Keith R. Murdoch, also said, "We have to recruit some money honeys," Reuters said.

Conveniently, one of Media Bistro's blogs has already done some talent scouting over at CNBC. In an online ballot that tallied nearly 1,700 votes, FishbowlNY asked its readers to vote their favorite to be the next "Money Honey," since it appeared Maria Bartiromo is so nervous about her nickname, and perhaps career, that she's decided to trademark it.

The results:

* Becky Quick 53%
* Erin Burnett 18%
* Maria Bartiromo 13%
* Liz Claman 9%
* Sue Herera 5%

Becky Quick, the co-anchor of CNBC's morning drive block, Squawk Box, gathered more votes than any of the other contestants combined. She reportedly worked for the Wall Street Journal before joining CNBC in 2001. She already has fans, some of whom have produced a a Web site for her.

Having worked in broadcast newsrooms, I can only imagine the intrigue at GE's money channel. It's all supply and demand, as the anchors and reporters know, and frequently report. Over the years, CNBC has put the spotlight on many of them and given them more than 15-minutes of fame. That makes them "stars" to many viewers and "supply" for Fox's demand.

Neil Cavuto, Senior Vice President and Managing Editor of business news at Fox, was hired away from CNBC about eight years ago. He still has friends and favorites over there. You can bet his voice mail box is full.