Matt Lauer will announce on “The Today Show” Friday that he has signed a long-term contract to remain with the morning program, NBC News confirmed.
NBC has secured its marquee anchor as the morning shows are engaged in a closer fight for ratings. "Good Morning America" has been closing its ratings gap with the top-rated "Today." This week, "GMA" enlisted Lauer’s former “Today” co-host Katie Couric as a guest anchor, and "Today" brought in Sarah Palin on Tuesday.
On Wednesday’s show, Lauer interviewed Ryan Seacrest, who the Wall Street Journal has reported as a possible Lauer successor. Asked by Seacrest how long he wanted to remain on “Today,” Lauer did not answer.
Terms and the length of the contract were not disclosed.
Lauer’s re-signing was first reported by the New York Times.
