CNBC to produce "Early Today" news program for NBC

NEW YORK, Sept 3, 1999 (Reuters) - Early risers, or even night owls, will soon
 have access to a 4:30 a.m. news fix (0830 GMT) with ``Early Today,'' a new 
business-oriented half-hour produced by General Electric Co's (NYSE:GE - news)
CNBC cable channel to air on NBC, its sister television network.

The program will launch on September 7, and serve as a lead-in to the early 
news broadcasts of local NBC affiliates, which in turn will be followed by the 
network's ``Today''.

David Friend, the program's executive producer, said the early morning is the 
``fastest growing segment'' of the television day, driven in part by people 
suffering longer commutes to work and going to bed earlier.

Further, he said, more and more investors realize the interconnection of 
financial development and the impact on securities markets around the world, 
thus growing the audience for overnight, overseas news.

Contributors to the program include Sydnie Kohara, who will provide live 
updates and market news from CNBC's London bureau.

``Early Today'' will be anchored by Nanette Hansen, who most recently appeared 
on MSNBC, the cable television news channel jointly produced by NBC and 
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news).