Ann Curry has finally decided to leave NBC after a shocking exit from the "Today" show nearly two and a half years ago. The 58-year-old journalist is reportedly going to set her sights on starting her own media company.
According to Page Six, the network is expected to announce a deal with Curry that would allow her to contribute content for NBC News and other platforms and networks. Sources told the site that Curry was "unhappy" at NBC and had been working with the network over the past several weeks to end her contract. It's reported that she was making close to $12 million a year at the network but wasn't producing as much work for them as she did in the past.
"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," the source said.
Curry was also still at odds with Matt Lauer over her "Today" show exit. Following the announcement in 2012, the network named Curry as an NBC News national and international correspondent, as well as an anchor-at-large at "Today."
NBC News confirmed Curry's exit and said that NBCUniversal will back her media startup, Page Six reports. In a statement released by NBC, Curry 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," the statement continued. "At the same time, I can't wait to expand my reach and work with people I admire in other places."
Pat Fili-Krushel, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, added, "We're proud to support Ann in her new venture, and we look forward to more of her exceptional storytelling."
