Savannah Guthrie will be back at work on “Today” as of March 3.
The co-anchor with Matt Lauer of NBC News’ morning show announced her return date via Twitter on Wednesday morning. Guthrie has been on maternity leave since Dec. 3. She gave birth to her second child, son Charles, with husband Mike Feldman on Dec. 9.
Hey, little one, you're not the *only* good reason to wake up early!! 💕I'm headed back to @TODAYshow March 3! Excited to see you all! pic.twitter.com/tEZa9IJEzJ
— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) February 22, 2017
Guthrie has been co-anchor of “Today” opposite Lauer since 2012. She joined the show in 2011 as co-anchor of its 9 a.m. hour and chief legal correspondent.
The 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. hour of “Today” is expected to be replaced in the fall by a new program anchored by Megyn Kelly, the former Fox News anchor who struck a deal to move to NBC in January. Kelly’s megabucks contract, estimated at $17.5 million a year, spurred speculation that NBC was setting her up for a bigger role at “Today” down the road, although talk of Kelly replacing Guthrie has been vehemently denied by NBC News execs.
Guthrie signed a new long-term contract with the show prior to going on maternity leave. “Today” had a series of substitute anchors in Guthrie’s absence, including former “Today” anchor Katie Couric.
“Today” rival “CBS This Morning” has also faced the absence this month of regular co-anchor Charlie Rose, who underwent heart surgery on Feb. 9. He’s expected to return to the show next month. CBS News vet Anthony Mason has been the primary sub for Rose since his medical leave began. Earlier this week, “CBS This Morning” co-anchor Gayle King sent out a picture via Instagram her recent breakfast date with Rose.
