Ann Curry’s contract battle with NBC has taken a new turn. After being dumped from her co-anchor slot on “Today” months ago, Ann wants free of her remaining contract with the network. Matt Lauer is urging his bosses to let her go. She already has a position waiting at CNN, but, reports Radar Online in a Thursday, Jan. 17 exclusive, the executives at NBC want at least a six month sit-out written into the deal.
What? That sounds like an athlete changing schools. And if Ann Curry had quit her anchor job, a waiting period off the air might make better sense. But the key element here, is that Curry was let go from her morning position, and viewers know it. She has been mostly off the air ever since. Why should NBC prevent her from taking another job? Plans at CNN call for her to replace Anderson Cooper – a plum assignment.
Ann Curry wants to make the move in February. Will she take viewers with her, as NBC execs probably fear? Actually, that exodus has already happened, as viewers dumped “Today” in droves after Curry was canned. “Good Morning America” now holds the top morning slot. What more does NBC have to fear? The new job is an evening show, and will not directly compete.
The thing viewers appear to dislike most is the callous way Ann Curry was treated by a network to whom she had given years of service. Continuing to hold her to a no-air-time deal is just making things worse.
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