Lester Holt Leaves NBC’s ‘Nightly News’ After 10 Years

NEW YORK — Renowned anchor Lester Holt is set to step down as the face of NBC’s esteemed “Nightly News” broadcast in the near future. However, Holt will remain a significant presence within NBC as he transitions to a full-time position on “Dateline.” This shift will occur early this summer, although a precise date and replacement for “NBC Nightly News” have yet to be determined.

Holt has expressed his deep appreciation for his colleagues in a heartfelt memo, reflecting on his decade-long tenure with “Nightly News.” He noted, “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.” Holt also shared his pride in having anchored two of the most distinguished television news programs in broadcast history with “Nightly News” and “Dateline.”

Janelle Rodriguez, Executive Vice President of NBC News Programming, commended Holt’s enduring legacy at “Nightly News,” reassuring everyone that Holt will continue to be a key figure at NBC for many years. In her statement, Rodriguez celebrated Holt, saying, “Quite simply, Lester is the beating heart of this news organization.”

Holt, 65, embarked on his journey with NBC in 2000. He secured the role of permanent anchor for “Nightly News” in June 2015, succeeding Brian Williams. Prior to this, Holt spent eight years anchoring weekend editions of the show and has been at the helm of “Dateline” since September 2011. Currently, “Nightly News” draws an average viewership of around 7 million each week, with its rich history tracing back to 1948. The iconic “NBC Nightly News” title was introduced in 1970.

Launched in 1992, the “Dateline” series is now in its 33rd season, renowned for its true crime programming. It has expanded into a popular podcast and inspired scripted television content, such as the offshoot of “The Thing About Pam.” Yet, “Dateline” continues to deliver a diverse range of stories, including breaking news, investigative journalism, and human interest pieces.

NBC is not alone in experiencing changes in its anchor lineup this year. Holt’s announcement follows Norah O’Donnell’s recent departure from “CBS Evening News,” where she served as the lead anchor since 2019. Additionally, Hoda Kotb concluded her tenure as one of the lead anchors on NBC’s “Today” on January 10.

Shifts are also underway at MSNBC, which, upon formalizing its spinoff later this year, will no longer be corporately linked to NBC News. MSNBC’s new president Rebecca Kutler recently informed staff about Joy Reid’s impending departure, signaling the conclusion of her political analysis and anchor show, “The ReidOut.”