(Newser) – It's a pretty boilerplate statement explaining what on its face is a simple parting of ways: NBC News on Friday confirmed that it's not renewing Chris Hansen's contract, a split that's getting wide pickup today. The To Catch a Predator host "has been a valued member of the team and we thank him for his many contributions to Dateline and NBC News over the last 20 years," said a network rep per TV Guide. (It notes that he began catching predators in 2004.)

Radar, however, points out that the news comes two weeks after it ran a photo (here) of the married Hansen kissing his former mistress. (Kristyn Caddell told her side of the story last month.) For his part, Hansen released a statement that detailed his future plans: "hosting and executive producing projects that will be announced in the coming months." (Read more NBC News stories.)

