Savannah Guthrie Confirmed By NBC as Today Co-Host » Gossip

Savannah Guthrie Confirmed By NBC as Today Co-Host » Gossip - It felt all but official this morning, but NBC finally and formally announced that Savannah Guthrie will be the new co-anchor of Today.

Savannah Guthrie debuted Friday but no mention was made on-air.

She had been rumored to be the network's preferred replacement for Ann Curry, who had fallen out of favor with executives and Matt Lauer.

 Savannah Guthrie

Ann Curry's farewell speech yesterday ended her 14-year tenure at Today, but she only served as Lauer's co-anchor for the last 12 months.

Rumors of NBC firing her began surfacing late last week.

Today executive producer Jim Bell released a statement announcing Savannah's new position, lauding the journalist's unique skill set.

Guthrie "has a one-of-a-kind combination of sharp wit and approachability," Bell said, adding that Today viewers continually "value [Guthrie's] journalistic skills and legal background just as much as her humor and charm."

Bell added of Savannah, "She can effortlessly go from interviewing the Secretary of State to jumping Olympic-sized hurdles on the plaza."