Yahoo Lifestyle The "Today" Show Just Announced Hoda Kotb's Replacement: "This Is One Of The Most Popular Decisions NBC News Has Ever Made"
The Today show will go through a slight shakeup in January. As Hoda Kotb announced in September, she is leaving the morning show. She's co-hosted the fourth hour since 2007 and joined the main show as a co-anchor in 2018.
Now, Today has announced Hoda's final day and her replacement as co-anchor.
During Thursday's broadcast, Hoda sat down with her co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and co-hosts Sheinelle Jones, Craig Melvin, Jenna Bush Hager, and Carson Daly. There, Hoda revealed that her final Today show as co-anchor and co-host will be Friday, Jan. 10.
Savannah then announced who will be taking over for Hoda following her departure. And that person just so happened to be sitting right next to Savannah.
It's Craig Melvin.
Craig has worked at Today for years, having joined the show as a news anchor in 2018. He also co-hosts the show's third hour alongside Al Roker, Sheinelle, and Dylan Dreyer.
Savannah quickly praised Craig after announcing his new role on the show. "We are so excited about the news in our Today family, and that is the person sitting right next to me: our dear friend and talented, wonderful, hardworking, [and] most worthy of this. Craig Melvin is the new anchor of the Today show," she said. "And let me just say, that the larger staff found out this morning, and people broke into applause. This is one of the most popular decisions NBC News has ever made. Congratulations."
Craig noted he was "beyond excited and grateful" for the role before expressing his thanks and explaining what the promotion means in relation to his larger family.
He also received kudos from Hoda. "Craig, you are made for this job. You are literally made for this job. You are that kind of good," she said. "You have all the things that this job needs. You are the right person for it."
Craig quickly returned the compliments, repeatedly telling Hoda that she "helped save the show."
The announcement was quickly praised online, including by several NBC journalists:
.@NBCNews announces my friend and colleague @craigmelvin the smart and incredibly versatile newsman @Today will replace the beloved @hodakotb in January co- anchoring with @SavannahGuthrie. A native of South Carolina Craig is a perfect choice to replace the amazing Hoda -…
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) November 14, 2024
@mitchellreports/Twitter / Via Twitter: @mitchellreports
many many mazels to @craigmelvin, a great man with a great heart ❤️ https://t.co/ZwS1ka5JLA
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) November 14, 2024
@jacobsoboroff/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @jacobsoboroff
Congratulations to my dear friend and colleague @craigmelvin! I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this incredible honor, and we’re so excited to watch you shine in 2025! https://t.co/ee3U08VQID
— Kristen Welker (@kwelkernbc) November 14, 2024
@kwelkernbc/Twitter/NBCUniversal / Via Twitter: @kwelkernbc
Craig, who was born and raised in South Carolina, also received congratulations from fellow South Carolinians.
Let’s gooooo Craig! CONGRATS from all of us here in good ole SC and the rest of the country! I love this for you and us!!!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) November 14, 2024
@dawnstaley/Twitter / Via Twitter: @dawnstaley
Congratulations to SC’s very own @craigmelvin !!! We are very proud of you! Keep shining! https://t.co/YbT6veHnF4
— Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) November 14, 2024
@harrisonjaime/Twitter / Via Twitter: @harrisonjaime
And several other celebs celebrated him on Instagram, including fellow NBC journalist Lester Holt:
For the fourth hour, Today announced that, following Hoda's departure, they will launch a new show titled Jenna & Friends. It'll see current co-host Jenna paired with a rotation of guest hosts.
You can watch the full segment announcing Craig's new role below:
