Vieira To Replace Couric On 'Today'

(CBS/AP)  One day after Katie Couric announced she was leaving for CBS News, NBC has chosen Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer's new partner on the "Today" show.

NBC chose Vieira over several internal candidates, including weekend "Today" anchor Campbell Brown, newswoman Natalie Morales and "Today" newsreader Ann Curry. Brown and Morales had subbed for Couric on "Today" while she was on vacation at the end of last month.

"Meredith's vast experience as an award-winning journalist, as well as talk show host, make her the ideal candidate for this job," said Jeff Zucker, CEO of the NBC Universal Television Group.

Vieira told her audience on "The View" Thursday about her decision.

"I'm thrilled, I'm really thrilled," she said. "You would love these people."

With her background as a former "60 Minutes" correspondent and co-host on "The View," Vieira's experience matches a morning show host's need to do serious news and interview Hollywood celebrities and do cooking segments. Vieira has also won a Daytime Emmy award for her job as host of the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

She's expected to join Lauer on "Today" in September. It will be the first anchor change on morning television's top-rated program since 1997.

"Meredith is a real pro, and I think it speaks volumes that NBC has brought her here to 'Today,"' Lauer said. "I have been her fan for years and I can't wait to be her partner. She has the perfect background and personality to make a real mark on this show and in morning news in general."

"I'm thrilled to welcome her aboard," he said.

Couric announced Wednesday, her 15th anniversary on "Today," that she was leaving next month to join CBS. She'll become anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News" in September.

Vieira had been reluctant in the past to move back to news, despite other offers, for family reasons. But "Today" gives her the chance to join a broadcast that has led in the ratings more than 10 years in a row.

"Meredith's vast experience as an award-winning journalist, as well as talk-show host, make her the ideal candidate for this job. — She joins a distinguished legacy of Today show co-anchors, from Barbara Walters to Jane Pauley to Katie Couric," NBC Universal Television CEO Jeff Zucker said in a statement. — "We're lucky to have her as the newest member of Today, and I am thrilled to welcome her to the NBC family."

She made the announcement while sitting next to Barbara Walters, a former "Today" personality herself and creator of "The View." — — "I believe in growth, but right now I'm feeling terrific growing pains," Vieira said, fighting back tears.

Walters said "The View" would continue with the same format.

"This is a very sad day for us but a very happy day," Walters said. "I know this is a wonderful new chapter for you."