An emotional Ann Curry put an end to speculation and told her viewers she is leaving "Today."
"Today is going to be my last morning as a regular co-host of 'Today,'" said Curry, who was joined on set Thursday by co-anchor Matt Lauer, weatherman Al Roker and news reader Natalie Morale.
"I will still be a part of the 'Today' show family but I'm going to have a new title and a new role."
Under her new multi-year contract, as "Today" show anchor-at-large and NBC News national/international correspondent, she will head up a seven-person unit covering stories across the globe from the bloody uprising in Syria to the poor in America and will produce network specials and stories from “NBC Nightly News," "Dateline," "Rock Center With Brian Williams" and other digital properties.
It's a dream opportunity, she told USA Today in an interview Wednesday, but will find leaving "Today" difficult.
"In my secret heart of hearts, I see this as a thrilling opportunity,” she told the newspaper. "To have a ticket to every big story in the world - no small matter."
She added she is "trying not to say it too loudly, because it's almost like the dream you didn't ever allow yourself to have because of the reality of network television today."
Curry, who has been with the show for 15 years and was promoted to co-anchor with Matt Lauer one year ago, said in the interview that she was emotional about the news she would be delivering to viewers this morning.
"I'm going to have to tell our viewers,” Curry, 55, told the publication. "That's what makes me more emotional than anything. I don't want to leave them. I love them. And I will really miss them."
Her announcement came amid rampant reports that she was being ousted due to low ratings and lack of chemistry with Lauer. "Good Morning America" beat "Today" in the ratings several times this Spring, breaking a 16-year winning streak. "Today" has since won the ratings in for three more weeks, according to the story.
Those reports and headlines were hurtful, she said in the interview.
"I don't know who has been behind the leaks, but no question they've hurt deeply," she said, adding she would have wanted to be given more time to work out the kinks of co-hosting the morning news show and did not agree that chemistry with Lauer was a problem.
"You know, Matt and I have had great on-air chemistry for 14 years, been part of the No. 1 winning team for a history-making number of years," she said.
"That said, I just finished my freshman year as co-host. In every single co-host's first year, there have been kinks to be worked out, and perhaps I deserve as much blame for that as anyone."
She also said reports of her salary being $10 to $20 million are exaggerated.
"I can say that I'd love to earn that much," she said in the interview.
Curry, well known for putting a human face on world stories, said on the show that she realizes the abruptness of her departure.
"For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, sorry I couldn't get the ball over the finish line but, man, I did try," she said on air.
Curry said she will take time off, wrap up several stories already in the works and next report from the Summer Olympics in London. Her main goal, she said, is always to serve the viewers.
"You are why I've ventured into dangerous places, interviewed dictators, jumped off of bridges and mountains and landed in the South Pole," said a tearful Curry.
"I have loved you and I've wanted to give you the world."
NBC's Savannah Guthrie has reportedly been offered the position but the network has not confirmed a replacement.
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