Hoda Kotb’s ‘Today’ show replacement revealed after end announcement

On By Littum

Hoda Kotb’s “Today” show replacement was revealed Thursday. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

Here comes Craig Melvin!

The journalist revealed Thursday that he is taking over for Hoda Kotb when she leaves the “Today” show on Jan. 10.

“Craig Melvin is the new anchor of the ‘Today’ show!” Savannah Guthrie gushed, calling this “one of the most popular decisions NBC News has ever made.”

The update came nearly two months after the journalist announced her shock exit. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Craig Melvin enters. FilmMagic

Kotb chimed in: “You are made for this job. … You have all the things that this job needs. You are the right person for it.”

Al Roker, for his part, admitted that he was “at a loss for words” but was “so happy” for his colleague.

Regarding the “excited and grateful” Melvin said it “meant

“Craig Melvin is the new anchor,” gushed Savannah Guthrie. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Kotb has been with NBC for 26 years. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

“This is the latest in a long line of blessings,” added Melvin, who will go on to do the third hour of ‘Today’ with Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer. “I spoke to Mom and Dad yesterday and I’m thankful they’re still young enough and healthy enough to see this.”

The update came nearly two months after Kotb, 60, announced his shock departure to viewers after 26 years with NBC.

“I decided this is the right time for me to move on,” she said in September. “And with all that said, this is the hardest thing in the world.

Melvin joined the network in 2008. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
He is “made for this job,” according to Kotb. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

“I won’t be here after the first of the year,” the former “Dateline” correspondent continued, before clarifying, “I’m staying in the NBC family, but it’s kind of a big deal to me.”

As rumors swirled about her possible replacement, Kotb joked as recently as Monday that they had no idea who would step in.

Kotb joined NBC News in 1998 and became co-host of the “Today” show’s fourth hour nearly a decade later alongside Kathie Lee Gifford.

Kotb has co-hosted with Jenna Bush Hager since Gifford’s exit in 2019.

Melvin stated that he is “excited and grateful.” Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
He called the new role the next in a “long line of blessings”. FilmMagic

In addition, Kotb has been Guthrie’s “Today” show co-anchor since 2018.

That same year, Melvin stepped in as co-host of the show’s third hour and earlier morning news anchor.

He has been with the network since 2011.

“We are very excited to have Craig step into the co-anchor chair,” Senior Vice President Libby Leist wrote in a statement Thursday. “He has been an integral and beloved part of our family.”

She continued, “From breaking news coverage in the field, to presidential interviews, to multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, Craig has shown that he has the talent and range to cover everything we do here at ‘Today.’ And he does it without ever to lose the southern charm.”

After the announcement, all the anchors made shots in the studio to celebrate bourbon-loving Melvin.