Savannah Guthrie Named ‘Today’ Co-Anchor, Replacing Curry

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA)’s NBC Universal named Savannah Guthrie as Matt Lauer’s new co-anchor of the “Today” show, a day after Ann Curry’s departure.

The appointment is effective immediately, according to the announcement today from NBC News President Steve Capus.

Guthrie, 40, joined “Today” in June 2011 as chief legal correspondent and co-host of the show’s third hour. She replaces Curry, who announced she was leaving the show yesterday after NBC’s ratings lead over competitors including ABC’s “Good Morning America” has dwindled this year.

“As soon as Savannah joined NBC News she was a standout, reporting for every franchise in the news division and rising through the ranks,” said Jim Bell, executive producer of “Today,” in the statement.

Before joining NBC, Guthrie served as Court TV’s legal affairs and national trial correspondent. Guthrie previously practiced law at Washington-based Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Sherman in New York at asherman6@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Turner at nturner7@bloomberg.net