IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Maria Menounos to join E! News as co-anchor, succeeds Giuliana Rancic in role

The news was announced three weeks after Giuliana Rancic revealed she would be leaving that position to pursue other interests.
/ Source: TODAY

As Giuliana Rancic says good-bye to her role as E! News co-anchor, Maria Menounos is saying hello.

Maria Menounos
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 19: Actress Maria Menounos arrives at the 40th Anniversary Gracies Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 19, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)Getty Images file

The E! Network announced Thursday that, starting next month, Menounos will join Jason Kennedy, Terrence Jenkins and Catt Sadler in hosting the entertainment-news show.

"As an established entertainment and news journalist with strong Hollywood connections, Maria has proven herself to be a great fit with the 'E! News' team," John Najarian, an executive vice president for E!, said in a statement.

In the past year, Menounos has contributed to the entertainment channel in various ways. She's filled in as an E! News co-anchor; interviewed celebrities ranging from Chelsea Clinton to Vin Diesel; and appeared on "Live from E!" — a daily pop-culture roundtable discussion appearing on E! Online.

On Thursday, Menounos tweeted to more than 1 million followers that she was "excited" about the news, then posted a photo of herself smiling with a drink while out on the water.

Rancic announced July 9 that she would be wrapping up her regular stint as an E! News anchor Aug. 10 to pursue other interests, but would continue to co-host E!'s "Fashion Police" and "Live from the Red Carpet."

Also joining E! News are Zuri Hall (formerly of MTV), Erin Lim (E! News Asia), and Sibley Scoles (REVOLT TV), who will serve as correspondents.

Follow TODAY.com writer Chris Serico on Twitter.