‘The View’ has a date with destiny

“The View” officially kicks off its search for a new co-host on today’s show (11 a.m./Ch. 7). Breaking with tradition, Barbara Walters will announce that there’s a definite start date for the new co-host: Nov. 26. That leaves the show about 2 ½ months to search for Lisa Ling’s replacement.

The search begins Sept. 2 with ex- “Real World” cast member Rachel Campos joining Star Jones, Meredith Vieira, Joy Behar and Walters. Campos tried out for the show the last time around, in 1999, when Debbie Matenopoulos left.

The following week, Samantha Harris will join the gals. Harris hosted “Test Drive” on TNN and played Mary Ann in the CBS telepic, “Surviving Gilligan’s Island,” which aired last year.

Clay invests in hometown bank

“American Idol 2” runner-up Clay Aiken will help Mayor Bloomberg celebrate the grand opening of Wachovia’s first two Manhattan financial centers Monday (7:30-8:30 a.m.) at the Wachovia Financial Center, 49 Rockefeller Plaza.

Wachovia is based in Charlotte, N.C. – Aiken’s home state, which is the real connection here. It’s Aiken’s first corporate tie-in since losing out on “AI2” last May to Ruben Studdard.

Broadway tunes – cue the surf

CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo will be the guest speaker Sunday at the American Cancer Society’s Broadway on Beachside event in Westport.

The event was created in 1995 by Cissy Hornung, a breast-cancer survivor and Westport resident, and has thus far raised over $1.8 million and funded six breast- cancer researchers. At the event, Broadway musicians will perform compilations from various Broadway shows.

CNBC’s “Titans with Maria Bartiromo” last month examined the progress of cancer research.

Last, but not least . . .

* Dave Price begins his “Early Show” gig Monday (7-9 a.m./ Ch. 2). He’ll join Ch. 2’s 5-7 a.m. newscast in the upcoming weeks.

* Jillian Barberie hosts tomorrow’s “Best Western $10 Million Sports Challenge” (8 p.m./ Ch. 5).

* On Sunday’s “Out of the Box” (9 p.m./Q-104): Jonathon Clarke has tickets to see Blues Traveler at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

* News of Wednesday’s Knicks trade (Latrell Sprewell goes, Keith Van Horn arrives) notched a solid 1.46 rating on MSG.

* Agent Tony Seidl in town, talking TV deals at Langan’s (47th).

* Jazz singer Karrin Allyson, who’s at the Blue Note, crooning Sunday on “Weekend Today in New York.”

* Chronologically challenged: I pulled a wrongo – “Early Today” (Nanette Hansen) airs 4:30-5 a.m. on Ch. 4.