Savannah Guthrie has hinted that her tenure on the Today show may be coming to an end following Hoda Kotb’s announcement of her exit from the morning program.
While discussing Hoda’s departure at the Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala on Thursday, Savannah remarked to US Weekly, ‘We’re dear friends and we have a lot of similarities.’
She added, ‘We’re basically in the same phase of life,’ which many interpreted as a subtle reference to her own potential exit.
This speculation arises after Hoda stunned viewers with her surprise announcement in September, stating that turning 60 had been a ‘monumental moment’ that prompted her to ‘try something new’ after 17 years leading the flagship show.
Additionally, sources have informed DailyMail.com that Today producers are actively trying to persuade Savannah to stay, as they wish to avoid ‘overhauling everything’ during this period of transition.
Savannah Guthrie has hinted that her tenure on the Today show may be coming to an end following Hoda Kotb’s announcement of her exit from the morning program; seen Thursday
While discussing Hoda’s departure at the Project Healthy Minds 2nd Annual World Mental Health Day Gala on Friday, Savannah remarked to US Weekly, ‘We’re dear friends and we have a lot of similarities’ (pictured 2018)
‘Savannah’s contract is coming up next year and they want to keep her and will be doing anything they can to continue their relationship with Savannah as a means of not overhauling everything,’ the source explained.
‘The replacement will be from people who are already there rather than paying an outsider tons of money to sit with Savannah.’
Savannah reportedly signed a $7million a-year contract with Today which was increased to $8million and then again to an undisclosed amount in 2020 after bosses were impressed with her moderating of a town hall with President Trump.
Hoda – who reportedly earns an estimated $8 million a-year on the show – not only serves as one of the main anchors alongside Savannah, but she also cohosts her own segment with Jenna Bush Hager, called Today with Hoda and Jenna.
The insider noted that the final decision about replacements will ultimately be up to the viewing public, depending on which presenter the audience is more drawn towards.
‘Craig Melvin and Laura Jarrett are both on top of the list to be the heir apparent at this time,’ the source continued.
‘NBC is looking to place one of them in Hoda’s position, whomever the audience gravitates to more will be the most likely replacement.
‘The anchors would all love the opportunity to take Hoda’s spot, Sheinelle Jones would be interested, but honestly everyone is championing for Laura or Craig.’
‘We’re basically in the same phase of life,’ which many interpreted as a subtle reference to her own potential exit
Additionally, sources have informed DailyMail.com that Today producers are actively trying to persuade Savannah to stay , as they wish to avoid ‘overhauling everything’ during this period of transition
The insider added that bosses are willing to wait as long as it takes to make an official announcement and added that Hoda’s replacement on Today with Hoda and Jenna is more open.
‘There is more leeway with Jenna and who will join her after Hoda leaves,’ she said.
‘It could be a revolving door until someone sticks, the job to join Jenna is going to be a work in progress and could be anyone at this point.’
Craig, 45, first joined MSNBC as a daytime anchor in 2011, and within his first year he covered a slew of events including the Republican and Democratic national conventions and election night.
He began cohosting Today’s Third Hour in 2018, and soon after news hit that Hoda was leaving, fans were calling for him to replace her.
Before her job at Today, Laura, 40 – the daughter of former Obama administration official Valerie Jarrett – worked at CNN, where she cohosted the show Early Start, which has since been renamed, CNN This Morning.
She joined NBC in 2022 and is best known for breaking the news about former President Donald Trump’s guilty falsifying business records verdict back in May.
Hoda was motivated to stand down by her two young daughters, but her struggle to find the same chemistry with Jenna as she had with former cohost Kathie Lee Gifford, 71, was also a driving factor.
The TV icon also wrote a letter explaining her ‘painful’ decision to her colleagues, explaining further that marking her 60th birthday sparked a seismic ‘shift’ in her life.
Craig Melvin and Laura Jarrett are already clear favorites for the job, the source said
Insiders explained that producers are keen to avoid losing another big name from the popular morning program, as Savannah prepares to begin contract renewal talks
‘As I write this, my heart is all over the map,’ Hoda said. ‘I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.
‘My time at NBC has been the longest professional love affair of my life. But only because you’ve been beside me on this twenty-six-year adventure. Looking back, the math is nuts. 26 years at NBC News – Ten years at Dateline, seven on the seven o’clock hour, sixteen on the ten o’clock hour.’
She continued: ‘I’m picturing your faces and your families and all the ways you’ve lifted me up and inspired me. That’s my heart singing. So many of my professional relationships have become some of my most cherished friendships.’
She went on to pay a heart breaking tribute to her ‘ride-or-die’ Jenna Bush Hager and claimed she will ‘desperately’ miss everyone she has worked with on the popular morning show.
