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NBC's `Today' show faces transitions

NBC's "Today" show has been one of the most stable and successful programs in the history of television over the past 15 years. Now it faces the possibility of a major makeover.
Co-host Meredith Vieira, the "newbie" on "Today" with five years in the early-morning anchor chair, is leaning toward leaving when her contract expires in September, according to multiple reports this week. That news was barely digested when an unconfirmed "Entertainment Tonight" story suggested that her partner, Matt Lauer, also may leave when his contract is done in nearly 21 months.
The two anchors have not commented on their futures. "There seems to be an awful lot of speculation on news anchors these days, and it's not our practice to comment on any of it," NBC News spokeswoman Megan Kopf said.
As this happens, the "Today" show magic number stands at 798. That's how many consecutive weeks it has been No. 1 in t
he morning show ratings — more than 15 years without a loss to ABC's "Good Morning America," CBS' "The Early Show" or anybody.
It's a gold mine for NBC, particularly important for the company as the network's prime-time fortunes collapsed. The program, now four hours long, earned more than a half-billion dollars for NBC News in 2010, more than it ever has.
"A lot of their strength has been that they have had a team together with very strong interpersonal relationships for a long time," said David Westin, former ABC News president.
The team goes beyond the two main anchors, and it is one comfortable with itself and with viewers. Lauer has been with the show since 1994 and co-anchor since replacing Bryant Gumbel in 1997. Newsreader Ann Curry has been there since 1997. Utility player Al Roker, who forecasts weather, does features and anchors the 9 a.m. hour, joined in 1996.
Many Americans have spent more time with them over morning coffee than with their spouses.
"Today" averages 5.5 million viewers a day this season, compared with 4.7 million at "Good Morning America" and 2.7 million at "The Early Show," according to the Nielsen Co. ABC has gained in viewers this season, but "Today" just recorded its widest margin of victory in seven years during the first quarter in the demographic it bases ad sales upon.
Transitions are a point of pride at NBC News, which passed the "Nightly News" baton smoothly from Tom Brokaw to Brian Williams. The 2006 exit of Katie Couric, a key component of the show's success, was a real concern. But top NBC executive Jeff Zucker, who rose to prominence by running the "Today" show, lured Vieira from "The View" as a replacement and she fit in seamlessly.
"If they proved they could replace Katie Couric without a hiccup, they can replace Meredith without a hiccup," said Shelley Ross, who was "Good Morning America" executive producer from 1999 to 2004 and did the same job at "The Early Show" in 2007-2008.

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