A major shift in network television news leadership sends ripples through the media landscape as veteran broadcaster Lester Holt prepares for his next chapter.
According to New York Post, the 65-year-old anchor announced Monday he will step down from his role as "NBC Nightly News" anchor after a decade of service, though he will continue his work with "Dateline."
The transition comes as Holt plans to remain with the network until summer, maintaining his position at "Dateline," where he has served as principal anchor for nearly 15 years.
His decision adds to the recent exodus of veteran journalists from NBC, including "Today" show host Hoda Kotb and "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd.
Holt assumed leadership of "NBC Nightly News" in 2015 during a tumultuous period marked by controversy surrounding his predecessor, Brian Williams.
The network faced a credibility crisis after Williams admitted to fabricating a story about being aboard a helicopter that was shot down in Iraq, leading to his suspension and eventual reassignment to MSNBC.
Under Holt's stewardship, the evening news program has maintained a strong second-place position in ratings, drawing approximately 6.7 million viewers as of mid-February. This places the broadcast behind ABC's "World News Tonight" with David Muir, which attracts 8.3 million viewers, but well ahead of CBS' "Evening News" with its 4.5 million viewership.
NBC News executive vice president of programming Janelle Rodriguez praised Holt's contributions in a note to staff members, stating: "Quite simply, Lester is the beating heart of this news organization."
Senior national correspondent Tom Llamas has emerged as a potential successor to Holt's position. Industry insiders suggest Llamas has been anticipating this opportunity, with reports characterizing the situation as a "slow-motion coup d'état" at NBC's headquarters at 30 Rock.
The network is experiencing broader changes beyond Holt's departure. Sister channel MSNBC recently underwent significant restructuring, terminating several shows including those hosted by Joy Reid, Ayman Mohyeldin, Katie Phang, and Jonathan Capehart.
Holt reflected on his remarkable journey in broadcasting in a heartfelt message to his colleagues:
As a 20-year-old radio reporter on the police beat chasing breaking news around San Francisco, I could never have imagined my career path would unfold in the way it has. What an amazing ride.
Lester Holt, who reportedly earns approximately $10 million annually, will conclude his tenure as "NBC Nightly News" anchor in the coming months. His announcement marks the end of a significant era in network news broadcasting, during which he guided viewers through numerous critical moments in recent history.
The veteran journalist will continue his association with NBC through his role at "Dateline," maintaining his presence in television journalism while passing the evening news torch to his successor. As the network prepares for this transition, the search for Holt's replacement remains ongoing, with Tom Llamas positioned as a leading candidate to assume the prestigious anchor position.
