Report: Mary Hart takes 50 percent pay cut

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- "Entertainment Tonight" anchor Mary Hart took a 50 percent pay cut for her final year on the U.S. show, a victim of sinking ratings and ad revenue.

Hart was making a salary of $5 million during her 29th season on the entertainment news show, but she accepted the 50 percent cut in May for her final season, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.

Hart announced Thursday that this would be her last season. She signed her last multiyear contract renewal in 2006.

Lara Spencer, who anchors "The Insider," is widely speculated to be in line to replace Hart on "ET."

Hart's publicist disputed the Reporter's story Saturday, telling the newspaper, "Mary is working at the same pay that she has received for the past few years … and she is not working for half of that amount."

The Reporter stands by its story, saying both "ET" and CBS Television declined comment in consultation with Hart.