“Today” co-hosts Matt Lauer and Ann Curry could soon find themselves at war for morning ratings against their former colleague, Katie Couric, when she lands at ABC.
As part of a deal being negotiated between Couric and ABC for a daytime syndicated talk show, she’ll also be making “strategic guest appearances” on “Good Morning America” that will put her in a direct rivalry with Lauer, sources say.
” ‘GMA’ sees Meredith Vieira leaving [‘Today’] as a huge opportunity,” said a source. “Katie will be one of the ways ABC could take advantage.”
A source told Page Six that Couric — who’ll appear on CBS for the last time on Thursday — could be popping up on “GMA,” currently hosted by Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, as many as “two and three times per week.” But sources close to the network said she’ll more likely be making “periodic appearances” and “promoting her big ‘gets’ and stories.”
“Katie will work as a team player across all ABC news platforms, wherever she can be helpful,” said another insider. “Her role will be to help in all kinds of ways. It’ll be, ‘Put me in, coach, however I can help.’ ”
One of those helping ways will be for Couric — who left “Today” after 15 years in 2006 — to turn up on “GMA” as “Today” tries to build chemistry between Lauer and Curry following Vieira’s departure.
CAA’s Alan Berger is negotiating Couric’s deal with ABC. Former NBC honcho Jeff Zucker will produce Couric’s ABC show. He executive-produced “Today” before rising to network president and CEO and leaving after the NBC/Comcast deal.
A Couric rep declined to comment. An ABC spokesperson had no comment, noting that Couric’s deal with the network is not yet done. ABC also recently denied rumors that Roberts is prepping to leave “GMA” by year’s end.