Meredith Vieira, the former co-host of NBCâs âTodayâ show, is in talks with another division of NBCUniversal about hosting a syndicated talk show.
The daytime series would start no sooner than September 2014, people with knowledge of the discussions said. The people insisted on anonymity because the discussions were private and could end without a deal for a new show.
But if the discussions bear fruit, Ms. Vieira could show up at 11 a.m. in some local markets, the same hour that âThe Viewâ is shown. Ms. Vieira was a co-host of âThe Viewâ for its first nine years. She left in 2006 to replace Katie Couric on âToday.â Now Ms. Couric is a daytime talk show host, and a show by Ms. Vieira could compete with hers.
But the time slots NBC syndication executives are most likely eyeing are those occupied by âThe Jeff Probst Show,â a series introduced by CBSâs syndication arm last fall. It is televised at 2 p.m. in many markets.
The 1 stations owned by NBC are among those that carry Mr. Probst, but his show is underperforming the seasonâs other new entrants, including Ms. Couric and Steve Harvey, whose talk show is syndicated by NBCUniversal. NBC might seek to pair Mr. Harveyâs show with one by Ms. Vieira.
No announcement is imminent, nor does one need to be, since the 2014-15 television season is so far away. The president of NBCUniversalâs syndication business, Barry Wallach, announced on Wednesday that he was leaving the company after nearly a decade. NBC decided not to immediately name a replacement for him.
For Ms. Vieira, who chose to leave âTodayâ in part to spend more time with her husband and children, a new syndicated show would be a major time commitment. She is currently a special correspondent for NBC News.
Last week, she announced that she was leaving the daytime game show âWho ! Wants to Be a Millionaire,â which would free her up to make a talk show deal with NBC. She said in a statement, âI am about to embark on a new adventure with NBC.â
A spokeswoman for NBCâs syndication arm declined to comment on development plans.
A version of this article appeared in print on 01/18/2013, on page C2 of the NewYork edition with the headline: Vieira Eyeing New Role As Talk Show Host.