Katie Couric, Matt Lauer and Jeff Zucker Talking TV Reunion?

By Alex Weprin 

The NY Times and Wall Street Journal both report that “CBS Evening News” anchor Katie Couric, “Today” co-anchor Matt Lauer and former NBC Universal CEO (and “Today” EP) Jeff Zucker have had discussions about possibly teaming up on a syndicated talk show.

Couric is widely expected to leave the CBS evening newscast when her contract expires June 4. A formal announcement could come as soon as this week, a source says.

If she does launch a syndicated show, it would likely debut in Fall, 2012, while Lauer is still under contract with NBC.

Advertisement

And as the NY Times notes: “NBC can be counted on to make perhaps the biggest offer in television news history to keep him at ‘Today.'”

The WSJ outlines a scenario which could enable it to happen, however:

A deal with Mr. Lauer might be more possible if Ms. Couric ends up doing her proposed syndicated show through NBC parent NBCUniversal, because Mr. Lauer could potentially continue in some form on “Today,” said one person familiar with the matter. NBCUniversal is among the contenders for Ms. Couric’s daytime show, that person and others have said.

Advertisement