CNBC announced special programming for May today…

How rich is rich? How do we keep America great? Will hedge funds take a hit? How did “Star Wars,” which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, affect the movie industry overall? Beginning today and continuing throughout May, CNBC, America’s Business Channel, explores the topics on the minds of corporate executives, policymakers and investors.

All month long, CNBC features special programming including:

· “Rich and Richer” (Wednesday, May 2nd) — CNBC spends the day exploring the growing gap between the “rich” and the “super rich.” More and more young corporate and Wall Street hot shots are cashing out their bonuses looking for new ways to spend their money. Companies have recognized this dynamic and are scrambling to figure out products and offerings that will generate enthusiasm from the group that takes the most to impress.

· “Business Nation” (Wednesday, May 2nd at 10pm & 1am ET) – An all-new edition of CNBC’s monthly one-hour newsmagazine with Chief Correspondent David Faber, features the stories behind the business headlines. On this edition of “Business Nation,” the impact of counterfeiting on one American company, its employees, and the small town it calls home as the national debate over Chinese piracy heats up.

· “Keeping America Great” (Thursday, May 10th) – CNBC spends the day tackling all of the issues critical to “Keeping America Great.” From climate change to health care to immigration and hedge fund regulation, CNBC asks CEO’s the tough questions, and debate the potential pitfalls of overregulation.

· “Power & Money” (Thursday, May 17th) — With many legendary investors and well-respected analysts forecasting a bubble in the private equity markets, CNBC uncovers whether it’s all hype or a coming concern. How are Hedge Funds staying ahead of the curve as the industry gets more and more cluttered with competition? And, will investors start insisting on a reduced fee structure as returns start to look more like old-fashioned mutual funds?

· “Conversations with Michael Eisner” (Monday, May 21st at 9pm & 12am ET) – Michael Eisner sits down with Micky Arison, owner of The Miami Heat and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, actor John Travolta, and pop star Gloria Estefan.

· “Star Wars 30th Anniversary” (all week of May 21st) – In a galaxy far, far away, CNBC explores the impact Star Wars has had on the business of making and marketing movies and how one movie changed the entire industry.