Matt Lauer Signs New Deal With Today Show

For those who thought Ryan Seacrest was going to move in on Matt Lauer’s chair on the Today show, think again.

When Ryan Seacrest was announced to be joining the NBC team for the 2012 Olympics, there was talk that Matt Lauer was leaving the seat that he’s had since 1997. However, it looks like Matt Lauer is here to stay.

TMZ reveals that head anchor Matt Lauer has signed a new, long-term deal with NBC’s Today show, and will be rewarded handsomely for it, signing for a reportedly $30 million a year, which doubles his $17 million a year salary that he has currently.

However, it’s not all good news to go around for everyone, and it’s said that Ann Curry is on her way out. Sources tell TMZ that Lauer “does not want her as his co-host”, and it looks like her future on the Today show might be coming to an end with such the long term committed contract Matt Lauer has just signed with NBC.

As for who might be replacing Ann Curry, it’s said to be Savannah Guthrie, who currently works for NBC news.

In the past there has been a revolving door of anchors for the Today show. Bryant Gumbel famously exited the show in 1997 after 15 years on the air as head anchor. Deborah Norville who was his co-anchor was replaced after a year by Katie Couric in 1991 who left in 2006 to pursue a job at CBS’s Evening News.

Are you happy with having Matt Lauer around? Sound off here!