Ann Curry is finally leaving NBC over two and a half years after her excruciating departure from “Today,” Page Six can exclusively reveal.
NBC is expected to imminently announce a deal for Curry to leave the network following weeks of negotiations to end her contract, reportedly worth up to $12 million a year.
Sources tell us that Curry, 58, who has provided few reports for NBC News despite her huge contract, is ready to leave. One NBC insider said, “Ann has been unhappy for a long time because she’s basically doing nothing, while NBC is unhappy that she has been paid a lot of money to do nothing.”
Curry’s tearful goodbye from “Today” in June 2012 famously sparked a backlash against the show and a furor over NBC’s indelicate handling of the longtime anchor. She was made an NBC News national and international correspondent, as well as a “Today” anchor-at-large.
This time, sources say, the negotiations have been more careful and protracted, and Curry will soon announce she is setting up her own production company to provide news reports and documentaries to numerous outlets, including NBC.
NBC News confirmed that Curry is leaving after 25 years to develop her own media startup backed by NBCUniversal. The deal will allow her to produce content for NBC News and other platforms and networks.
In a statement issued by NBC, Curry, who worked for “Today” for 15 years, said, “I am sincerely grateful to NBC News for allowing me to offer viewers a vast and diverse body of work, including a depth of humanitarian reporting I understand still resonates.
“It has been a privilege to work with so many good and talented people at the network and I look forward to what we will do ahead. At the same time, I can’t wait to expand my reach and work with people I admire in other places.”
“We’re proud to support Ann in her new venture, and we look forward to more of her exceptional storytelling,” added Pat Fili-Krushel, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group.