‘NBC Nightly News’ anchor Lester Holt leaving broadcast

“NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt is stepping down from the broadcast in early summer 2025.

“A smile comes to my face when I think that with ‘Nightly News’ and ‘Dateline,’ I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history,” wrote Holt, 65, in a memo to staffers. “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.”

Holt noted that his last day on “Nightly” will be announced later.

NBC News did not immediately announce who would succeed Holt on “Nightly.” When former ABC News anchor and correspondent Tom Llamas jumped to NBC News from ABC in 2021, there was speculation that the network was grooming him to take over for Holt at some point in the future. Llamas had previously anchored weekend editions of “ABC World News Tonight” as well as serving as a sub when anchor David Muir was off.

There were also reports that Llamas saw limited paths to advance his career at ABC, with Muir typically cleaning winning the ratings and likely far from retirement. 

Holt is remaining with NBC News and will continue to host “Dateline,” the network said. The memo described that role as “full time” role, though “Dateline” typically uses short, pre-taped intros featuring Holt. It was not clear how the rest of Holt’s time would be used.

Holt has been with the NBCUniversal family since 2000, first joining the company’s cable news channel MSNBC. He moved over to NBC News proper in 2003 after being named a substitute anchor for “Nightly” and “Today.”

He took over the role of “Weekend Today” co-anchor after David Bloom died from an embolism that year.

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In 2007, NBC added the weekend editions of “Nightly” to his duties. In a somewhat unusual move, Holt kept his “Today” anchor chair on weekends as well, meaning he worked both the morning and evening shift for the network two days a week.

By moving Holt into the weekend spot of “Nightly,” he was largely seen as being a likely successor to replace Brian Williams at some point in the future. That time came sooner than anyone likely thought when Williams departed “Nightly” in 2015 after the network determined he had misrepresented events while he was reporting in Iraq. 

After Williams was exiled to MSNBC, Holt frequently held down the fort at “Nightly” before being officially named to the role later in 2015. Holt had the “managing editor” title added in 2021.

During much of his tenure, “Nightly” often finished in second place as “ABC World News Tonight” caught up to it over the years.

He also was named America’s “most trusted” anchor two consecutive years by a Hollywood Report-Morning Consult poll. NBC used that as a jumping board for a series of promos for “Nightly,” using the tagline “The anchor for America” to describe Holt.

Holt’s exit comes on the heels of another high-profile departure at the network. “Today” co-anchor Hoda Kotb exited the show in January 2025. Kotb told viewers that she was leaving after realizing that, after turning 60 in August 2024, she wanted to focus on other priorities, including her adopted children. 

Kotb initially announced she would remain with NBC News in some capacity, though that role has not been announced.

Unconfirmed reports claim that NBC had asked Kotb to take a pay cut. There was no immediate reports if Holt may have been facing a similar situation or if his pay will be reduced as he moves over to “Dateline.” Networks typically do not release or discuss staff salaries, though there are often unconfirmed reports of how much some people make.

NBCUniversal, like many media companies, have been looking to cut budgets as the industry tilts toward streaming while also facing economic uncertainties. NBCU has not announced a formal effort to reduce costs such as its “NBCU 2.0” program that started in 2006 and saw the network part ways with several high profile talent, including “Dateline” anchor Stone Phillips and fill-in anchor John Seigenthaler.

Meanwhile, over at CBS, anchor Norah O’Donnell stepped down from the anchor desk in January 2025. The network relaunched the broadcast with John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois at anchor desk Jan. 27, 2025, using an updated format that focuses more on in-depth reports rather than the headlines of the day. The network has been backtracking on that format, however, in recent weeks.

Full text of Holt’s memo:

Hello to all my Nightly News and Dateline colleagues. I want to share with you a big decision I have made about my future at NBC News. A future that I’m happy to say will keep me here for years to come and doing what I love.

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After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of Nightly News. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do.

But before we play the walk off music, I have another announcement. I’m excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of Dateline NBC, but for the first time in a fulltime capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about. I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with my enormously talented friends at Dateline as the broadcast continues to grow and attract new viewers in new places.

A smile comes to my face when I think that with Nightly News, and Dateline, I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history. 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.

All of you at Dateline and Nightly News are part of a formidable team, and in my opinion are the greatest group of journalists one could hope to work with. It is a true privilege.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and understanding during this transition.

I plan to continue anchoring Nightly through around the start of summer. As we get closer, I’ll of course firm up the date and keep all of you in the loop. In the meantime, to my Nightly friends, I look forward to sharing some banana pudding as is our send-off tradition!

With deep affection and admiration,
Lester

Full text of Janelle Rodriguez, executive vice president for programming, NBC News’ memo:

All,

A short time ago, Lester shared with his team that after 10 years as the NBC Nightly News anchor, he’s taking on a dedicated full-time role at Dateline, his second home. Lester will continue at the helm of Nightly until early summer before he devotes his energy to the rapidly-expanding powerhouse that is Dateline.

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Because of Lester’s steady and thoughtful leadership, Nightly News has sustained its perch as a trusted and top news destination for millions of viewers across America. He has led the network during some of the country’s most fraught and challenging times in the past decade, most notably during the early days of the pandemic when Lester’s voice was a source of comfort each night for so many. He’s taken viewers to the frontlines of every major story and sat down with world leaders, skillfully eliciting answers on consequential issues.

Quite simply, Lester is the beating heart of this news organization.

He’s earned deep respect and reverence from our newsroom, industry colleagues and, most importantly, viewers. What’s equally remarkable is how Lester has masterfully filled this esteemed role with extraordinary grace and humility. He’s proven time and time again why he stands among the great legends of broadcast news.

Lester will continue with NBC News for years to come leading another iconic and number one show- Dateline. Here, you can read the note Lester shared with the Nightly and Dateline teams.

Thanks all,

Janelle Rodriguez
EVP, Programming, NBC News