Matt Lauer isn’t getting fired from the Today Show over low ratings, according to the New York Post .
Rumors have been swirling that Lauer will get booted from his position as co-host of the popular morning news program if the show’s ratings don’t improve over the next several months. However, Today head Alexandra Wallace said that there simply isn’t any truth to these allegations.
“There is absolutely no truth to this,” Wallace said. “There have been some recent outrageous claims regarding Matt and the ‘Today’ show, and an awful lot of piling on from nameless, faceless sources. These stories are wrong and irresponsible.”
NBC News President Steve Capus also chimed in on the Matt Lauer situation. It would seem the rumors surrounding the co-host’s impending termination is nothing more than baseless internet speculation.
“Sadly, this is the era in which we live: Venomous tweets somehow threaten to drown out all of those who praised Matt for his coverage,” Capus explained.
According to Radar Online , a source close to the inner workings of the program explained that Lauer’s head was essentially on the chopping block over the recent ratings slump. If things don’t improve by February of 2013, Lauer’s career could be in serious jeopardy.
“News executive Alexandra Wallace has told NBC bosses she will have to replace Matt if the ratings continue to tank,” the anonymous source said. “If viewers continue preferring Good Morning America over the TODAY show that revenue will decrease and cuts will have to be made.”
The source added, “Matt’s contract pays him $25 million-a-year, and he just signed an extension to that deal last year before the ratings started falling. However, Alexandra has told her bosses if the show isn’t pulling in more viewers by February, she has no alternative but to fire Matt.”
Are you a fan of Matt Lauer? Do you feel the Today Show co-host is responsible for the dip in viewership?