Anchor Away?

Next on ''Today''...Katie Couric decides whether she'll bid adieu to NBC's top-rated morning show. Though Couric's four-year, $28 million contract does not expire until 2002, the reigning queen of Rockefeller Center has been quietly meeting with syndicators and at least one rival network to explore her options. ''It'll be 11 years that she's been here,'' says Jeff Zucker, who became president of NBC Entertainment last December after nine years as ''Today'''s exec producer. ''She could do it for another 11 if she wants -- she could do whatever she wants. And she's trying to decide right now what [that is].''

No need for panic on the promenade just yet: Most insiders doubt that Couric, 44, will make an announcement anytime soon. ''It's fun to be romanced,'' explains one network exec. (The coanchor and her castmates were unavailable for comment.) But clearly it's a concern for NBC, which earns a reported $450 million annually from the show. At the TV press tour July 19, network president Andrew Lack noted that re-signing both Couric and ''NBC Nightly News'' anchor Tom Brokaw -- whose contract is also up next year -- was a top priority (though he also said the net's syndicated arm would be interested in producing a talk show for Couric).

So what would Katie want? Some industry sources say she'd like to give up the morning grind and spend more time with her two daughters, Ellie, 10, and Carrie, 5; others have her shopping around a serious issues show. (One slot that will be open in fall 2002 is Rosie O'Donnell's syndicated gabfest.)

If she does ditch, expect competition for the seat next to Matt Lauer to be fierce. ''Regardless of how they handle it, it's going to be a really difficult transition,'' says media analyst Anthony Mora.

Katie's Manolo Blahniks would not be easy to fill. NBC needs someone who can grill President Bush, sympathize with Chandra Levy's parents, and tease Mel Gibson. Not to mention win over Couric loyalists. Just ask Deborah Norville, who endured a rocky transition taking over the ''Today'' gig from Jane Pauley in 1989. ''The attacks will happen. Just don't give them the ammo -- let them make it up, as they did with me,'' warns the ''Inside Edition'' host. ''But it's a gas to sit on the front row as history passes by.''

Traditionally, NBC has tended to promote internal candidates (like former ''Today'' newsman Lauer) -- a good sign for the show's current news anchor, Ann Curry. (The 44-year-old is already morning-friendly, covering everything from Kosovo to the McCaughey septuplets.) But if the network decides to expand its search, here are a few newswomen waiting in the Peacock's wings.

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD
PRO The ''girl in the glasses'' earned raves for her breezy delivery and sharp observations during MSNBC's Election 2000 coverage. In fact, the network partially credits Banfield for a near tripling of ratings during the mania -- and rewarded her with the newsmag ''Newsfront'' (with cohost Lester Holt). In short, the 33-year-old is top competition. ''You have to look at Ashleigh,'' says Steve Friedman, senior exec producer of CBS' ''The Early Show.'' ''She's a very dynamic TV personality.''
CON A personality that dynamic could alienate morning viewers who like to ease into their day.

MARIA BARTIROMO
PRO CNBC's Money Honey, 33, has netted serious interest as a savvy finance journalist. Says an industry source: ''She's a favorite of the GE hierarchy.''
CON She may not have an appetite (or, some say, ability) for the fluffier aspects of morning TV. Last year, after guest-hosting with Regis Philbin, she soured speculation about replacing Kathie Lee Gifford. ''I've found my home in business news,'' she said at the time, ''and there's really no place I'd rather be.''

HODA KOTBE
PRO The ''Dateline NBC'' correspondent has a fan in Couric, says one insider, who believes Kotbe might pop up on the ''Today'' show in the future, at least as a substitute.
CON There's one hitch. ''I've never heard of her,'' Friedman says. And he's got company.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN
PRO The busy O'Brien, 34, has visibility as an NBC News correspondent, MSNBC anchor, and coanchor of ''Today Weekend Edition.'' ''She fits the generation coming up -- multicultural, computer age,'' says Friedman. ''She's experiencing what the audience you hope to attract is experiencing.''
CON Insiders wonder if she could squeak past Curry.

NORAH O'DONNELL
PRO Media watchers say the MSNBC/''Dateline NBC''/''Today'' correspondent has the Couric quality. ''She's a pleasure to look at and she's smart,'' says hairstylist Frederic Fekkai, whose clients include Curry and Pauley.
CON At 27, she may be too much of a new kid. ''Some people think Andy Lack would love to see her on the show,'' says an insider. ''But I don't think anybody believes she's going to get it.''

(Additional reporting Lynette Rice and Allison Hope Weiner)

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