Ryan Seacrest to Cover Olympics for NBC

Matt Lauer asks whether Seacrest plans to take his "Today" job

Ryan Seacrest will expand his relationship with NBC's "family" by joining the network's prime-time Olympics coverage team, he said Wednesday in an interview with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show.

"I've worked with the E! network for years and NBC Universal and E! are in the same family," Seacrest said. "The plan is for me to join the NBC family and continue to have role on the E! network."

Seacrest said his "first assignment" would be helping with Olympics coverage. Asked what types of discussions he had with NBC about joining "Today," Seacrest turned the question back to Lauer.

"How long will you be on the "Today" show?" he asked.

Lauer, whose contract is up at the end of the year, also avoided answering the question. But he said Seacrest could excel as a co-host.

The New York Times reported Sunday that Seacrest, who heads E!'s Oscars red-carpet coverage and hosts "Idol," had been negotiating with NBCUniversal for months.

Rumors had swirled earlier that Seacrest might join "Today" full-time or could host NBC's hit show (and big "Idol" rival) "The Voice," according to the Times.

Seacrest said he intends to remain as host of FOX's "American Idol." An official announcement on his future there is expected soon, he said.

The planned announcement came after a one-day delay due to Seacrest's elbow surgery.

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