Just over a week since Lester Holt announced he would be stepping down from NBC's Nightly News, his replacement has been revealed.
Tom Llamas, who joined NBC from ABC News in 2021, will be taking over the network's flagship news show, which Holt has anchored since 2015.
Though it's unclear when he will be taking over, the Dateline host — who will remain involved with Dateline — had previously shared he would be stepping down in early summer.
In a memo sharing the news, NBC News Executive Vice President of Programming Janelle Rodriguez shared: "Tom has the winning combination of journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling and unyielding integrity — all characteristics that have long been trademarks of NBC Nightly News."
Llamas, in his own statement, also shared: "Anchoring NBC Nightly News is a profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility. I look forward to working with the world class journalists at Nightly News and Top Story to bring viewers the most important stories every night."
Praising his predecessor, he added: "Lester Holt is a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time. Just like Lester, I promise to be devoted to our viewers and dedicated to the truth."
© GettyLlamas currently leads breaking news events and special political coverage for NBC News NOW, and before that was ABC's chief national affairs correspondent, where he anchored the weekend editions of the network's World News Tonight, which on weekdays is anchored by David Muir.
Lester, in his statement February 24 announcing his departure from Nightly News, shared: "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," adding: "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."
© GettyHe then noted that "before we play the walk off music, I have another announcement," before revealing his forthcoming plans for Dateline.
© NBC"I'm excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of Dateline NBC, but for the first time in a full time capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about," he further wrote.
© GettyHe maintained: "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."
5 biggest NBC controversies
© Kevin Winter1. Matt Lauer allegations
Matt Lauer, one of NBC's biggest stars for over 20 years, as the host of the Today was fired in November 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations. Multiple allegations resurfaced, but NBC claimed to be unaware of Matt's behaviour. However, these claims were disputed by individuals who had worked with Matt, creating a major controversy.
2. The Hollywood tape
Just before the 2016 U.S. presidential election, The Washington Post released a 2005 taped conversation between Billy Bush and Donald Trump, in which Trump made offensive comments about women, while Billy laughed in the background. Two days after the tape's release, NBC suspended Billy from his co-hosting role and he was eventually fired.
3. The Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser, a 2004 reality show where contestants competed to lose the most weight for a cash prize, became an NBC hit. However, a 2016 study showed that most participants regained the weight they lost, leading to criticism of the show's approach to wellness. The series was canceled in the same year.
4. The Tonight Show conflict
The 2010 conflict over who would host The Tonight Show became a major PR issue. Jay Leno, who hosted the show since 1992, was given his own primetime slot in 2009, leading to Conan O'Brien becoming the new host. However, when ratings fell, NBC reportedly paid Conan and his team $45 million to step down so Jay could reclaim the show.
5. Brian Williams's fake story
In 2015, NBC nightly news anchor Brian Williams claimed he was aboard a helicopter that was downed by enemy fire in the Iraq War. His story was disputed by several military veterans who were present, leading Brian to apologise on air, saying the incident was a "fog of memory." He was later dismissed from the role.
Holt took on the Nightly News gig in June 2015, following the demotion of his predecessor Brian Williams — Girls alum Allison Williams' dad — who at the time had just come under fire over false claims he made about a reporting trip to Iraq.
