Anchors Away! Why TV’s Top News Stars Are Taking Pay Cuts — or Heading for the Exit
variety.comMichael Schneider Variety Editor at Large TV news insiders can tell you the moment that the world changed for high-priced anchor talent: Nov.
29, 2017, the day Matt Lauer was fired from NBC’s “Today” amid shocking allegations of sexual misconduct. As a quick fix, NBC News turned to Hoda Kotb to replace Lauer as co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie for the show’s primary 7-9 a.m.
broadcast. And then the network braced for impact. But the crash never came. “Today” ratings actually improved post-Lauer, who had been making around $20 million annually.
That’s a testament to the show and the strength of Kotb and Guthrie as a team. And it was most definitely a wake-up call for the industry. “You had this kind of myth built up that if this person leaves, the show is doomed,” one news veteran notes says. “It’s driven by the idea you’re afraid that if he leaves, everything comes crumbling down.
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