Roland Martin, the Chicago-based radio and television journalist and commentator, is getting his big break on cable channel CNN. Starting in mid-April, Martin will begin filling in for Campbell Brown as the host of her early evening "No Bias No Bull" CNN program while Brown takes maternity leave for around eight weeks. Martin, of course, is no stranger to CNN, where he has served since 2007 as a commentator on a number of the news channel's regular programs, including "Anderson Cooper 360" and "The Situation Room."

Since last September Martin also has served as senior analyst on the Tom Joyner morning show at Clear Channel Radio's urban contemporary station WGCI-FM (107.5) in Chicago. Martin will relocate to New York and the CNN studios there while he is filling in for Brown. And a spokesman for Martin said the "No Bias No Bull" show will use the same producers and stick to its regular format while Brown is away. Meanwhile, Martin is developing another program for CNN that will probably air on Saturdays. The exact format and launch date are still to be determined.