Hold up news watchers! There is a major change coming to your nightly news routine. After a decade at the anchor desk Lester Holt is saying goodbye to NBC Nightly News . But do not worry it is not all bad news because NBC has already tapped a familiar face Tom Llamas to take over.
Why is Lester Holt Leaving NBC Nightly News? Spoiler It's All About Dateline!
When Lester Holt announced he was leaving folks were naturally wondering why. Was there drama? Did he win the lottery? Turns out the reason is actually pretty straightforward and kinda cool. Holt is not leaving NBC at all. He is actually shifting his focus to another iconic NBC program: Dateline.
Yep Holt is going full-time Dateline anchor. He has been with the show for almost fifteen years already but now he is making it his main gig. He even said he is excited to expand his "footprint" on Dateline and craft stories he really cares about. If you are a fan of those deep-dive Dateline mysteries and crime stories this is good news. Holt is set to steer Dateline into even more groundbreaking coverage.
Basically Holt is looking for a new challenge. Nightly News is all about daily current events while Dateline lets him dig into longer more in-depth stories. It sounds like he is ready to dedicate his energy to this different style of journalism. No need to panic Lester Holt is still going to be on your TV just in a different chair and he is still very much part of the NBC family.
Meet Tom Llamas: The New Face of NBC Nightly News and First Latino Anchor in the Role
So who is stepping into Holt's shoes? Tom Llamas is the name you need to know. NBC announced that Llamas will be the new anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News. He is not a stranger to NBC viewers either. Llamas is already a senior national correspondent for NBC News and anchors "Top Story with Tom Llamas" on NBC News NOW their streaming news channel. He will actually keep doing both jobs anchoring Nightly News and "Top Story". Talk about being busy!
NBC News exec Janelle Rodriguez praised Llamas as having the "winning combination of journalistic excellence passionate storytelling and unyielding integrity". She also highlighted his role in growing NBC News NOW and connecting with a new generation of viewers. Llamas himself called anchoring Nightly News a "profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility".
This is also a historic moment. Tom Llamas will be the first Latino journalist to anchor the weeknight edition of Nightly News. Jose Diaz-Balart already anchors the Saturday edition on MSNBC showing NBC's commitment to diverse voices in news. Llamas has a solid background in journalism starting as an intern at Telemundo and working his way up through local news and ABC News before returning to NBC in 2021. He has covered major events around the globe and interviewed world leaders so he is definitely ready for the big chair.
Passing the Torch: Holt and Llamas Quotes on the Big Anchor Swap
Both Holt and Llamas have spoken about this transition and it sounds like it is all positive vibes. Llamas called Holt "a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time" and promised to be "devoted to our viewers and dedicated to the truth" just like Lester.
Holt himself seems to be fully supportive. He told Nightly News staff that he told Llamas anchoring Nightly News is "not only one of the great jobs but it’s a great staff he's inheriting". He encouraged the staff to give Llamas their full support and told Llamas to "make the broadcast his". It sounds like a respectful and smooth transition which is always good to see in the fast-paced world of TV news .
Nightly News Strong Ratings and Llamas' Track Record: Why NBC is Confident in the Change
Even with Holt leaving NBC Nightly News is still a ratings winner. It is consistently ranked as a Top 5 regularly scheduled program across all of TV. In February it even showed year-on-year growth and hit a six-month high in a key viewer demographic. So the show is in a good place.
NBC clearly believes Tom Llamas is the right person to keep that momentum going. His work on NBC News NOW shows he can lead breaking news coverage and connect with viewers. His background at ABC News also proves he has experience at the network news level. It is a changing of the guard but NBC is betting that Llamas can continue the legacy of Nightly News while also bringing his own style and energy to the broadcast.
Key Things to Know About the Lester Holt - Tom Llamas Anchor Change:
- Lester Holt is leaving NBC Nightly News: After 10 years as anchor Holt is stepping down.
- Holt is moving to Dateline full-time: He will focus on in-depth stories and expand his role at the newsmagazine.
- Tom Llamas is the new NBC Nightly News anchor: He is a senior national correspondent at NBC News and anchor of "Top Story" on NBC News NOW.
- Llamas is the first Latino weeknight anchor: A historic moment for NBC Nightly News.
- Transition will happen this summer: Llamas will take over sometime in the summer of 2025.
- Both anchors are positive about the change: Holt and Llamas have expressed mutual respect and support.
- Nightly News is still a strong performer: The show remains a ratings leader for NBC.
What's Next for NBC Nightly News? Excitement and a New Era with Tom Llamas at the Helm
So get ready for a new chapter at NBC Nightly News. While it will be strange not seeing Lester Holt every night news moves on and Tom Llamas is ready to take the reins. It will be interesting to see how he puts his stamp on the broadcast while continuing the tradition of delivering important news to viewers. Change is always a bit of a surprise but in this case it seems like a well-planned and positive move for both Lester Holt and NBC Nightly News. Stay tuned to see what Tom Llamas brings to the anchor desk this summer!