Tamron Hall (Lwp Kommunikáció)
Tamron Hall will no longer be on NBC amid reports of the network ditching the third hour of the “Today Show,” which the anchor co-hosted.
NBC officially announced Hall’s exit Wednesday, Feb. 1, which also includes her leaving “MSNBC Live with Tamron Hall.” Al Roker will remain on “Today’s” pop culture-based 9 a.m. hour until a new lineup is revealed this fall.
“Tamron Hall will be leaving NBC News and MSNBC when her contract expires this month,” the network said in a release. “Yesterday was her last day as an anchor on both networks. Tamron is an exceptional journalist, we valued and enjoyed her work at ‘Today’ and MSNBC and hoped that she would decide to stay. We are disappointed that she has chosen to leave, but we wish her all the best.”
The news may not have been expected for Hall. Sources disclosed to Us Weekly that executives broke the news to her that Tuesday, Jan. 31, was her last day on air with NBC News.
“She was a wreck in commercial breaks and couldn’t believe the company would tell her just before going live on MSNBC,” the insider said. “It was especially surprising after receiving an email of praise from the co-executive producer just days before about how they were No. 1 in the ratings for seven weeks in a row.”
Reports surfaced last week that the 46-year-old journalist was in negotiations with NBC about her contract, leading the news organization to tell “Today” employees about the impending introduction of Megyn Kelly, who left Fox News in January. Kelly is set to debut a new morning show when she joins the network in May, which The New York Times reported would result in her replacing “Today’s” 9 a.m. hour or taking over the 10 a.m. slot. Should Kelly be in the latter position, the Hoda Kotb and Kathy Lee Gifford-hosted block will move to 9 a.m.
When the news was reported, many on Twitter blasted NBC for ousting one of their only Black female journalists from the morning show.
With her talent and appeal, Tamron Hall will land a meaningful position. NBC will regret the move. #TeamTamron
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) January 28, 2017
I literally only watch @TODAYshow for @alroker and @tamronhall, I'm not watching anymore if they're not on https://t.co/utSa3NRalx
— ZACK PIZAZZ (@Kordaaaang) January 28, 2017
Al Roker & Tamron Hall helped make the Today Show #1 & they are STILL being replaced by Megyn Kelly. I'm sure race had NOTHING to do with it pic.twitter.com/tAY4aXziUL
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) January 28, 2017
@deray I would watch @tamronhall read the phone book before I would watch Kelly. This is wrong. pic.twitter.com/4CgSLylZul
— Jennifer (@NJ_Jenn_Resist) January 27, 2017
Hall, who People reported turned down a multimillion-dollar, multi-year contract to stay at NBC, issued a statement about her employment status through her former employer Wednesday, Feb. 1.
“The last 10 years have been beyond anything I could have imagined,” Hall said. “And I’m grateful. I’m also very excited about the next chapter. To all my great colleagues, I will miss you and I will be rooting for you.”
A few users wished her luck in her future endeavors.
@tamronhall epitome of not just #BlackGirlMagic but #Tvmagic good luck at your next endeavor of which I know you will class up instantly💪🏼
— Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) February 1, 2017
Gonna miss u @tamronhall! Best wishes on your next chapter! 😘😍😊
— Tarita Chambers (@taritachambers) February 1, 2017
Going to miss @tamronhall on NBC! She is fearless! Good luck, Tamron! XOXXO
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) February 1, 2017
Several others vowed to stick by Hall and irritation with NBC was reignited.
Wherever @tamronhall goes, I will follow for viewership.
Your loss @nbc… her talent >>>> that other lady
— Dear Summer…. (@theNFLchick) February 1, 2017
@brianstelter @tamronhall @alroker @megynkelly fire two black hosts for a racist white woman. NBC sure has a great PR team
— Radio Raheem (@AlexJSmith123) February 1, 2017
Y'all replacing Tamron Hall for racist apologist, Megan Kelly? Keep it
— Krystle (@AKASeKretS43) February 1, 2017
