AXED: Tamron Hall OUSTED From ‘Today Show’ As NBC “Makes Room” For Megyn Kelly

Tamron Hall of NBC‘s Today show has forgone her multi-million dollar contract after the network relieved her of her “Today’s Take,” hosting duties to make way for former Fox News siren, Megyn Kelly.

Page Six says the announcement has sent shockwaves through the TV world. A 30 Rock insider told them Hall walked away leaving “multiple millions” on the table. NBC’s decision replaces Hall, “Today’s” first black female anchor with Kelly.

“Tamron was offered a multiyear, multimillion-dollar deal to stay at the ‘Today’ show and she turned it down,” the insider said. “People inside NBC were shocked. They expected her to stay,” a source said.  Hall’s relationship with NBC soured when the network canceled her top-rated morning show “Today’s Take,” which she co-hosted with Al Roker, to create a slot for Kelly.Hall found out she was being ousted minutes before she went on air last Friday. “She was devastated to get the news. It was almost an Ann Curry moment live again on TV. It was surreal,” another insider told us. “Tamron doesn’t know Megyn, but of course it’s insulting. Her show was beating Kelly Ripa and ‘Nightly News’ would rate well when she would fill in for Lester Holt. It was a very tense few days for everyone. There was a lot of crying,” the source added. “Tamron never wanted this fight, but she was ready for it. No deal would stop her from standing up after Roker posted their successful ratings [on Twitter].” h/t pagesix

Kelly will either take over Hall’s 9 a.m. slot or appear at 10 a.m. when she starts in September. Hall will reportedly continue to host “Deadline: Crime” on Investigation Discovery.

Al Roker will continue his duties as “Today” weatherman.