Craig Melvin will replace Hoda Kotb as co-anchor of the ‘TODAY’ show

Craig Melvin will replace Hoda Kotb after the beloved co-anchor announced in September that she is leaving “TODAY” after nearly two decades.

Melvin, a news anchor for “TODAY” and a co-host of the 3rd hour of “TODAY,” made the announcement on the show Thursday morning. He will co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie in the hours at 7 and 8 in the morning from 13 January.

“I’m beyond excited and grateful,” said an emotional Melvin. “I have only enjoyed a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings.”

Kotb said he was “literally made for this job.”

“You have all the things that this job needs,” she said. “You’re the right person for that.”

Kotb will remain as co-anchor until January 10, calling it a “day of celebration”. She said she made the decision to step down after she turned 60 in August.

“I realized it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and try something new,” she told her co-hosts in September, fighting back tears.

Kotb has anchored the show with Savannah Guthrie since early 2018, becoming the first female anchor team.

Guthrie told Kotb that while she is “irreplaceable in our hearts,” she was excited about Melvin’s new role, calling him “talented, wonderful, hardworking, most worthy.”

Legendary “TODAY” weatherman and co-host Al Roker joined from Zoom to congratulate Melvin.

“I knew this day would come. I’ve seen you grow. I’ve seen you as a journalist, but more importantly, I’ve seen you as a father, as a son, all the things that make you who you are is,” he said. “I’m so proud and so happy for you right now because you’re so worthy of this.”

“I love you. I love you. Thank you,” Melvin replied as his co-host handed him a box of tissues with his face on it.

Melvin went on to call Kotb and Guthrie his “sisters.”

“It means a lot to inherit this from you,” he said, addressing Kotb. “You’ve been the heart of this place for a long time. You helped save this program. You helped save this show.”

Speaking to Guthrie, he added: “And to be able to sit next to someone who I knew was smart for years and all of a sudden you start working with her and you think, ‘wait a minute, she is fun too.” ”

Libby Leist, senior vice president of “TODAY,” said in a memo to staff that they were “thrilled to have Craig in the co-anchor chair,” and he will continue his role as co-host of The 3rd Hour of TODAY alongside Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer.

Melvin has been at NBC News for nearly 14 years. He previously held roles on “TODAY” and has covered news in the field, several Olympic and Super Bowl games and presidential interviews.