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Big news from the world of television today, as one of America’s most trusted journalists is stepping away from the job that made him a household name.
Lester Holt has been the anchor of NBC Nightly News since 2015.
The network announced today that Holt has decided to step down from the job.
He will remain at NBC as host of the popular primetime news magazine Dateline.
Lester Holt speaks out on decision to step down
“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,” Holt wrote in a message to his colleagues, according to NBC.
“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.”
“He has led the network during some of the country’s most fraught and challenging times in the past decade,” Janelle Rodriguez, executive vice president of programming for NBC News, wrote in a message to staff.
“Quite simply, Lester is the beating heart of this news organization.”
The announcement from NBC notes that Holt has been named the “most-trusted television news personality in America” two consecutive times.
In addition to his time on the Nightly News, Holt has served as the anchor of Nightly News: Kids Edition,” an Emmy-nominated digital newscast geared toward informing and educating children.
Who will replace Lester Holt on ‘NBC Nightly News’?
NBC did not immediately name a successor. That announcement might come as early as this week.
The news division usually promotes in-house (Holt was a Nightly News correspondent before he took over for Brian Williams full-time in 2015.), so expect the new anchor to be a name that’s familiar to Nightly News viewers.
Hallie Jackson and Jose Diaz-Balart have both stepped in to serve as fill-in anchors in recent years, in addition to their work on the show’s weekend edition.
Their names are likely at the top of NBC’s list, but the network might also choose to promote one of the broadcast’s long-tenured correspondents, such as Peter Alexander, Gadi Schwartz, or Kristen Welker.
Whatever the case, it’s a historic day for network TV news.
With a tumultuous year ahead, whoever steps in to fill Lester’s shoes will have a tremendous weight on their shoulders.
We’re sure the Emmy-winning producers of Nightly News will select the best candidate for the job.
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