Meredith Vieira Extends Today Show Contract, Matt extended past 2011

[USATVFAN]

Meredith Vieira Extends contract to 2011. Don't Panic, this doesn't means she leaving.!

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.co...oday-contract/

Meredith Vieira Extends ‘Today’ Contract
By BRIAN STELTER
Meredith Vieira, a host of the “Today” show on NBC whose contract was set to expire in September, has extended her contract by one year, a person briefed on the matter said Wednesday.

In a closely watched transition, Ms. Vieira, 56, replaced Katie Couric on “Today” four years ago. Ms. Vieira chose not to make another long-term commitment this year. Still, her renewal is a sign of stability for “Today,” the top-rated morning show, as its two chief competitors, “Good Morning America” on ABC and “The Early Show” on CBS, are featuring new hosts.

Ms. Vieira’s contract renewal, to the fall of 2011, was first reported Tuesday by TV Guide magazine. “For her to say, ‘I embrace these hours, I embrace these people,’ really talks about the strength of the franchise and the power of the franchise,” said the person briefed on the contract extension, who requested anonymity because the network was not publicly acknowledging the deal.

“Today” is a steamroller for NBC, a hugely profitable program at a time when the network is trying to regain its footing in prime time and late night. In mid-February, before the Olympics inflated its viewership, “Today” averaged 5.7 million viewers, nearly a million more than “Good Morning America,” its closest competitor.

In 2006, Ms. Vieira’s co-host, Matt Lauer, 52, renewed his NBC contract for five more years, taking him through 2011. A person briefed on his deal said Wednesday that it had been extended beyond that date.

An NBC spokeswoman said the network declined to comment on contracts. Agents for Mr. Lauer and Ms. Vieira did not respond to requests for comment.