Longtime "Today" anchor Matt Lauer got a glowing statement of support from NBC with a contract extension for multiple years. Lauer's current deal was set to end in a few months.
NBC did not specify terms of the contract, but has indicated that it is for more than two years, according to The New York Times, indicating faith in Lauer despite the fact that "Today" saw its long-time ratings dominance come to an end at the hands of ABC's "Good Morning America."
"Today" held the longest ratings victory streak in television history, winning every week for 16 years, until "GMA" beat them in April 2012. More recently, though, NBC has been touting "Today's" current ratings, which have seen them closing the gap with "GMA" in the key morning demographic of Adults 25-54.
Two weeks ago, "Today" narrowed the ratings gap with 'Good Morning America" to 88,000 viewers, though they're down in total viewers 800,000 to "GMA's" one million. NBC News president Deborah Turness has been attributing the growth to stability in the show's top personalities.
Since Ann Curry's departure as co-host in 2011, the show has stabilized around Lauer and Savannah Guthrie, with news anchor Natalie Morales, and long-time weather anchor Al Roker.
"We couldn't be more thrilled with Matt's decision," said Turness in a statement. "As I've said many times before, he's the best in the business, and there is nobody I would rather have in the Today anchor chair than Matt."
"I consider this the best job in broadcasting," Lauer said in a statement. "I love the people I work with every day and I have such respect and gratitude for the people I work for. I couldn't be happier to be staying."
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