NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Lauer told advertisers Thursday that he wants to get the “Today” show back to being the most watched and least talked about morning show on television, and that he expects to do it.

The beleaguered morning show host made his pitch at an unfortunately-timed NBC News sales event. “Today” is at low ebb in the ratings and a flurry of media reports has been speculating that Lauer is more of a sinker than a sail.