NBC denies 'Today' anchor-change rumors

NBC is denying rumors of impending changes on the Today show anchor team after the abrupt ouster of a newly-hired executive charged with recapturing its winning streak.

The New York Post reported last week that Natalie Morales, co-host of the show's third hour, was on the chopping block, and on Wednesday claimed plans were afoot to replace co-anchor Savannah Guthrie with Hoda Kotb and Morales with Tamron Hall or Josh Elliott. But when Matt Lauer complained, the Post said, NBC News chief Deborah Turness ousted Jamie Horowitz, a former ESPN producer she'd hired in September as general manager, who was said to be behind the potential moves. Us Weekly also claimed Morales and her co-anchor Willie Geist were out and headed to other jobs.

Whether those moves were ever seriously considered is unclear. But with Horowitz gone after 10 weeks, Today called the reports "false rumors" and said it's standing by its stars,

"The entire Today show anchor team -- Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Natalie Morales, Willie Geist, Carson Daly, Tamron Hall, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb -- are incredibly talented, valued and have our support," said a statement released by spokeswoman Megan Kopf Stackhouse. "In response to the false rumors that have been circulated about our anchor team, NBC wants to be absolutely clear: The rumors are wrong -- period. This is the team we are committed to. And this is the team that our viewers turn to in the morning."

Today has undergone some turmoil since ABC's Good Morning America broke its 16-year winning streak in 2012, and continues to lead the morning ratings race.