NBC News fires Matt Lauer for ‘inappropriate sexual behaviour’

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Published: 9:30pm, 29 Nov 2017Updated: 7:38pm, 30 Nov 2017

NBC News has fired long-time Today show host Matt Lauer for “inappropriate sexual behaviour”, making him the second morning television show personality to lose his job because of sexual misconduct claims in a week.

Lauer’s co-host Savannah Guthrie made the announcement at the start of Wednesday’s Today show.

File photo of Lauer with South Korean singer PSY on the Today show in 2013. Photo: AFP

Last week, CBS News fired Charlie Rose after complaints from several women who worked for him.

NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said the network had received a complaint from a colleague on Monday night, and a review determined it was a clear violation of company standards. While it was the first complaint lodged against Lauer, Lack said in a memo to staff that “we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident”.

Lauer with NBC television personalities Natalie Morales, Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie at the Golden Globe Awards in 2013. Photo: AFP

Lauer, 59, has hosted Today for two decades. When paired with Katie Couric, Today was the long-time ratings leader and highly lucrative for NBC. It now runs second in the ratings to ABC’s Good Morning America.