\"Today\" show host Matt Lauer has signed a new long-term contract with NBC News in New York, the show\'s Web site said Thursday. \"We can officially share that he\'ll be in Studio 1A for a while longer,\" the online message said. \"Matt will announce Friday morning on \'Today\' that he has signed a new long-term contract with NBC News.\" Lauer has been co-anchor of the \"Today\" show since Jan. 6, 1997. He joined the morning program in January 1994 as the news reader.