Armanda Zosky 
Matt Lauer has already been replaced on the TODAY show after he had to be let go in the wake of his sexual misconduct scandal. Surprisingly, the ratings have not suffered.
Also, while both him and his replacement, Hoda Kotb, seem to have a positive attitude towards the situation and no hard feelings for each other, things behind the scenes are apparently a bit more nuanced.
Reports indicate that Kotb is in a strange position with regards to Lauer, as she was given a contract for significantly less than her predecessor. Lauer reportedly earned close to $25 million a year for being a co-host on the NBC morning program, while Kotb will be given around $7 million.
The big difference can be explained in various ways though, and it is possible that it has something to do with Lauer’s much more prolonged presence on the show’s lineup. It is true that the former TV star had managed to establish a strong connection with a large fan base, and this probably attributed to the scale of his compensation.
It is also possible that the difference in salaries will even out over time, although it will probably take a while before Kotb is on the same level as Lauer. The producers of the show should definitely pay attention to this point though, as it has been drawing a lot of attention and might eventually put them in a negative light if they are not careful.
For now, though, things seem to be moving smoothly for the production, and there do not seem to be any signs of negative developments brewing on the horizon, so we will have to wait and see how things go.
Kotb was asked about the pay disparity earlier this week, and she was able to brush it off.
This is a smart move, no no need to appear whiny after just landing a new job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T2J8hFO0k4
