Ann Curry Exit Sparks New Slump in Today Show Ratings; Savannah Guthrie No Medicine

Ann Curry's recent exit from the "Today" show has prompted a further drop in ratings for the long time talk show favorite. However, despite the new drop Jim Bell, Executive Producer for "Today," has said, "We couldn't be happier with the new Today anchor team, and the fresh new feel of the show," according to The New York Times.

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Although "Today" has traditionally maintained a good fight in the ratings war with its rivals, ABC's "Good Morning America" in recent weeks Good Morning America has extended its lead over its rival even more.

Ann Curry was ruthlessly dropped from the "Today" show after a slump in ratings, and bosses were likely hoping that a change in personnel could spark renewed interest and a rise again in viewers. However, since Savannah Guthrie made her debut as a new co-anchor the ratings have not picked up.

Good Morning America has averaged more than 360,000 viewers each day than "Today" which is the largest lead they've had over the NBC landmark show in their history of rivalry. And it seems that things could get worse for the "Today" show, as earlier this week Good Morning America experienced nearly 600,000 more viewers than "Today" on one day.

Previously Ann Curry gave her Today show fans an emotional goodbye, saying: "It's not how I expected to leave this couch after 15 years," seemingly confirming rumors that she had been pushed, rather than jumping by her own accord.

There was then a low key transition to replacing Ann Curry, and commentators have been saying that that could be because producers feared a negative backlash from Curry's fans.

Curry said during her farewell show: "This is not easy to say, but today is going to be my last morning as a regular co-host of 'Today.' I will still be a part of the 'Today' show family, but I'll have a new title and a new role, and this is not how I expected to ever leave this couch after 15 years. But I am so grateful, especially to all of you who watch."

"For all of you who saw me as groundbreaker, I'm sorry I couldn't carry the ball over the finish line. Man, I did try and so to all of you who watched, thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me touch yours," she also said.