TV Guide is out with its annual list of the highest-paid television stars, and there are plenty of media figures in its ranks.
Among the top were Matt Lauer — who signed an eyepopping $21.5 million contract after much speculation that he could leave "Today" — and Anderson Cooper, who kicks off the second season of his daytime show in September.
Lauer also topped last year's list with his old contract (a reported $17 million per year). The negotiations for his new contract came as the morning show wars reached a fever pitch, and was testament to Lauer's importance to "Today."
The Daily Beast has also compiled a list based on reported figures, which they ran past industry insiders. Below, see the media figures who earn some of the highest salaries in the business.
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Robin Meade, HLN anchor
$750,000
Sherri Shepherd, "The View"
$1.5 million
Savannah Guthrie, NBC News
$2 million
Mika Brzezinski, MSNBC
$2 million
Erin Burnett, CNN
$2 million
Gayle King, CBS News
$2 million
Wolf Blitzer, CNN
$3 million
Joe Scarborough, MSNBC
$4 million
Chris Matthews, MSNBC
$5 million
George Stephanopoulos, ABC News
$5 million
Scott Pelley, CBS News
$5 million
Piers Morgan, CNN
$6 million
Robin Roberts, ABC News
$6 million
Al Roker, NBC News
$7 million
Charlie Rose, CBS News
$8 million
Shepard Smith, Fox News
$10 million
Anderson Cooper, CNN and "Anderson Live"
$11 million
Diane Sawyer, "ABC World News"
$12 million
Brian Williams, NBC News
$13 million
Bill O'Reilly, Fox News
$15 million
Sean Hannity, Fox News
$15 million
Kelly Ripa, ABC
$20 million
Matt Lauer, NBC News
$21.5 million
Posted: 08/08/2012 9:56 am Updated: 08/08/2012 10:35 am