Additional Coverage:
Tom Llamas Named New Anchor of ‘NBC Nightly News,’ Succeeding Lester Holt
NBC News announced Wednesday that Tom Llamas will take over from Lester Holt as anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News.” The transition is expected this summer, though a specific date hasn’t been announced. Holt’s departure was announced just over a week ago, and he will be transitioning to a full-time role with “Dateline NBC.”
Llamas brings over 25 years of broadcast journalism experience to the role. He has been filling in for Holt on “Nightly News” since 2021 and currently anchors the NBC News NOW streaming newscast, “Top Story with Tom Llamas.”
He also serves as a senior national correspondent for NBC News and contributes to the “Today” show. Prior to joining NBC, Llamas worked at ABC, where he anchored weekend editions of “World News Tonight” and filled in for David Muir.
He will continue to anchor “Top Story” weeknights.
In a statement, Llamas expressed his honor at taking on the role and his commitment to viewers, saying, “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.”
He also praised his predecessor, stating, “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.”
Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News Executive Vice President of Programming, lauded Llamas’s experience and integrity, noting he possesses the qualities needed to uphold the “Nightly News” legacy. She also expressed gratitude to Holt for his leadership during his decade at the helm of the program.
Holt’s departure is part of a larger trend of prominent news anchor transitions in recent months. Others include Joy Reid, whose MSNBC show was recently canceled, Hoda Kotb’s departure from the “Today” show, and Norah O’Donnell’s exit from the “CBS Evening News” earlier this year.