Meredith Vieira selected as Couric's successor at 'Today'
Associated PressToday television program co-host Matt Lauer poses with Meredith Vieira at a New York news conference on Thursday.
Published April 7, 2006
NEW YORK - A day after Katie Couric announced she was leaving for CBS, NBC has chosen Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer's new partner on the Today show.
NBC chose Vieira, 52, over several internal candidates, including weekend Today anchor Campbell Brown, newswoman Natalie Morales and Today newsreader Ann Curry. Brown and Morales had subbed for Couric on Today while she was on vacation at the end of last month.
"Meredith's vast experience as an award-winning journalist, as well as talk show host, makes her the ideal candidate for this job," said Jeff Zucker, CEO of the NBC Universal Television Group.
Th e New York Times reported that Vieira was said to have been offered a four-year contract worth at least $10-million.
Vieira told her audience on The View Thursday about her decision.
"I'm thrilled, I'm really thrilled," she said. "You would love these people."
With her background as a former 60 Minutes correspondent and co-host on The View, Vieira's experience matches a morning show host's need to do serious news and interview Hollywood celebrities and do cooking segments. Vieira also has won a Daytime Emmy award for her job as host of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
She's expected to join Lauer on Today in September. It will be the first anchor change on morning television's top-rated program since 1997.
"Meredith is a real pro, and I think it speaks volumes that NBC has brought her here to Today, " Lauer said. "I have been her fan for years and I can't wait to be her partner. She has the perfect background and personality to make a real mark on this show and in morning news in general. I'm thrilled to welcome her aboard."
Couric announced Wednesday, her 15th anniversary on Today, that she was leaving next month to join CBS. She'll become anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News in September.
Vieira had been reluctant in the past to move back to news, despite other offers, for family reasons. But Today gives her the chance to join a broadcast that has led in the ratings more than 10 years in a row.
"I believe in growth, but right now I'm feeling terrific growing pains," Vieira said, fighting back tears.
She made the announcement while sitting next to Barbara Walters, a former Today personality herself and creator of The View. Walters said The View would continue with the same format.
"This is a very sad day for us but a very happy day," Walters said. "I know this is a wonderful new chapter for you."