Ann Curry officially announced her exit from NBC's "Today" show after one year as co-host.

"It is not as I expected to leave this couch after 15 years, but I am so grateful," Curry said through tears. "I get a fancy new title which means I get tickets to go cover every big story in the world."

Curry started as the show's news anchor in 1997, and was promoted last June following Meredith Vieira's exit. But things never really clicked with co-host Matt Lauer.

"You have the biggest heart in the business," Lauer said. "You put it on display every day."

The popular morning show is facing its biggest challenge in the ratings from ABC's resurgent "Good Morning America" since the mid-1990s. Curry said she will remain at NBC News, leading a reporting unit.

"Today" hadn't lost a week in the ratings since 1996 but this spring lost four times.

NBC's Savannah Guthrie is expected to replace Curry.