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XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE DEC 11 2001 10:21:35 ET XXXXX KATIE COURIC OFFER WORTH UP TO $100 MILLION; MOST LUCRATIVE IN HISTORY OF NEWS **World Exclusive** NEW YORK -- NBC's TODAY show Katie Couric is on the verge of being offered a new multiyear contract -- which could be valued at nearly $100 million, it can be revealed! Couric will soon become not only the top female cash-earner in the news business, but the new deal will ensure she tops all male performers too! With perks, bumps, cash clauses and an expansion of duties, Couric will rock Broadcast Row and become the highest paid news personality in the history of the medium if she opts to stay at GE's peacock, network insiders and sources close to the star tell the DRUDGE REPORT. Couric has now been guaranteed an annually salary base of $14 million if she stays, a top source reveals. It alone is an industry record. But rocketing Couric into Oprah, Rosie money levels -- and into possible nine-figures -- is an option which would create an NBC-financed production company -- jointly owned by Couric. NBC had no official comment Tuesday morning on the pending offer. "We know she will be snapped up by CBS in the blink of an eye if she is not kept happy here," one top insider said in New York. "The bidding is rewriting the history books, easily passing Barbara Walters and the others." Couric's current contract expires in May, but an aggressive move is now on, behind-the-scenes, to get the house in order for future years. Couric's surprise jump to the top of all news business earnings comes during a year which has seen media salaries soar, soar and soar again. CBSINFINITY radio giant Howard Stern grabbed a deal valued north of $100 million, only later to be outdone by Rush Limbaugh, who inked a contract which could earn him over $250 million during the next 7 years. The record-breaking Couric offer has become a point of controversy inside of NBC, sources claim. "The spending for on-air talent is completely out of control... a runaway train," argued one senior executive during a recent meeting at Rockefeller Center. "We are now paying our news people more than movie stars?!" Developing... ----------------------------------------------------------- Filed By Matt Drudge in New York City Reports are moved when circumstances warrant http://www.drudgereport.com for updates (c)DRUDGE REPORT 2001 Not for reproduction without permission of the author |
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