Jake Tapper To CNN: ABC News Correspondent Leaves For New Role

ABC News' White House correspondent is leaving the network for a new role at CNN .

He will host a new weekday program on CNN and serve as chief Washington correspondent for the network beginning in 2013, CNN said in a statement on Thursday.

"We are thrilled to have Jake join CNN and take the helm of a brand new weekday program," said CNN executive vice-president Ken Jautz. "Jake is an exceptional reporter and communicator, and we look forward to developing a program that takes advantage of all of his strengths, his passion and his knowledge of national issues and events."

Tapper was reportedly in talks with the network before the appointment of incoming president Jeff Zucker in November, though sources said Zucker helped close the deal. TV Newser reported that he will host the 4 p.m. hour on CNN.

There were also reports that CNN was trying court Tapper earlier this year. The correspondent denied the reports at the time.

His departure now comes as ABC News shows no indication that it will appoint a new host for "This Week" anytime soon. When George Stephanopoulos stepped down as host in 2010, many thought that Tapper would replace him. Tapper was the interim host, but Christiane Amanpour was chosen to host the show instead. When she stepped down in 2011, Tapper was passed over again.

ABC News announced Tapper's departure in a statement Thursday. Jon Karl, formerly senior political correspondent, will become the network's new chief White House correspondent.

Martha Raddatz will also have an expanded role as chief global affairs correspondent at ABC News, and will serve as the primary substitute host of "This Week."