NBC executive: We're not replacing Matt Lauer

A top NBC executive says the network is not considering replacing Matt Lauer as anchor of the "Today" show.

NBC News executive Alex Wallace, who oversees the troubled morning show, made the comment Wednesday in response to reports that the network had approached CNN's Anderson Cooper about the "Today" job.

The report first appeared in Deadline Hollywood and was confirmed to The Associated Press by a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.

Wallace says Lauer is "the best in the business" and that NBC wants him on "Today" for many years to come.

The "Today" show has fallen behind ABC's "Good Morning America" in the ratings and Lauer has been buffeted by bad publicity surrounding last year's ouster of co-anchor Ann Curry.