NBC News' Savannah Guthrie To Interview Obama Before Super Bowl

Savannah Guthrie To Interview Obama Before Super Bowl
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer appear on NBC News' 'Today' show -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer appear on NBC News' 'Today' show -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)

"Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie has not only landed a three-year contract extension with NBC News, but also an exclusive interview with President Barack Obama during the network's pre-game coverage of the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

It has become something of a tradition for Obama to grant a sit-down to the network broadcasting the big game each year. Past interviewers have included CBS News' Scott Pelley and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, as well as Guthrie's "Today" show co-host Matt Lauer.

But the decision to have Guthrie interview the president -- as well as the news of the contract extension -- seems to signal the strength of her relationship with NBC News. As the LA Times points out, Guthrie joined "Today" as a co-host under turbulent circumstances in June 2012. Ann Curry had just been dramatically ousted from her anchor position, and in the years since the program has struggled in the ratings, frequently finishing second behind ABC News' "Good Morning America."

"It required a delicate touch," Guthrie told the LA Times. "My own approach was not to go in there with guns blazing, saying, 'Pay attention to me.' It called for someone to come in, put their head down and do the work. I tried to be a credit to the show and not another problem."

Guthrie's interview with Obama will be conducted live from the White House before Super Bowl XLIX, and an additional taped conversation with the president will air Feb. 2 on the "Today" show.

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