Ousted “Today” show host Ann Curry will walk off into the sunset this week with a $10 million payout from NBC, according to reports.
The 55-year-old journalist — twisting in the wind since last week, when word leaked out that she was going to be replaced on the venerable morning show — had been at the beginning of a three-year deal with the Peacock Network.
She signed the deal — valued at around $20 million — a year ago after she was named co-host.
That deal would have paid her $10 million for the final year of her contract.
NBC has a history of being generous with its stars when it shows them the door.
It paid late-night host Conan O’Brien a reported $45 million when it fired him from “The Tonight Show” in 2010.
But that settlement included payment for his production company, with nearly 100 employees.
The Curry settlement would be paid solely to her to leave the show, the gossip Web site TMZ reported.
NBC is expected to announce a permanent replacement for her later this week.
No word on what type of send-off the morning show will give her after 15 years of working there.
After some time off, Curry is expected to become a foreign correspondent for NBC News.
NBC does not have another obvious job to offer her, and the other networks have, at least until now, not expressed any interest in her.
So it appears probable Curry will end up at a cable news network — most likely CNN, where the ailing, third-place news channel’s lineup is being substantially revamped — when her current deal with NBC runs out.
In the world of morning television, $10 million is not huge money.
Matt Lauer has just re-signed with the “Today” show for a reported $25 million a year.
Even at that salary, “Today” is said to make a $200 million a year profit for NBC, making it by far the biggest moneymaker on the network.
NBC yesterday declined to comment on the reported settlement.
Curry, too, has not said anything about her departure.
She continues to show up for work as usual despite the seat-squirming spot she has been put in by the network.
Conan was able to joke on the air about his uncomfortable position — but Curry has so far said nothing about her situation on the air, soldiering on through the cooking segments and celebrity interviews until an exit package is finalized.
Savannah Gutherie, a co-host of “Today’s” third hour is widely expected to take over Curry’s job.