Katie Couric's 'Today' Plummets; GMA Gains

Katie Couric's days as America's leading morning lady may be coming to an end.

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Couric's "Today" show saw its lead over ABC's rival "Good Morning America" fall sharply - to about 70,000 viewers last week. The paper said the estimates are based on preliminary information from Nielsen Media Research.

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"Today" has led the ratings pack since 1995. But the latest numbers show that momentum may be on the side of ABC.

"In recent years, the lead by 'Today' over 'Good Morning America' has been as much as two million viewers. Thus far, for the season that began in September, 'Today' (average audience about 6 million viewers) has led 'Good Morning America' (about 5.4 million) by more than 600,000 viewers."

NBC has moved to improve ratings by dumping the show's executive producer last month. But NBC's troubles may be deja vu, when its ratings fell at "Today" as its then host Bryant Gumbel went from likable to politically correct and nasty.

Couric's reputation as a liberal diva hasn't washed well with the public, and may be the real cause behind "Today"'s woes.