Lester Holt, the esteemed anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, has announced his decision to step down from the broadcast after a decade at the helm. At 61, Holt has chosen to reduce his workload, citing personal reasons and a desire to focus on other projects. He will continue his association with NBC through the long-format program Dateline.
According to the New York Post, NBC News has not yet announced a successor.
“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,” Holt wrote in a note to staffers. “What an amazing ride.”
BREAKING: Lester Holt, anchor of 'NBC Nightly News' for a decade, will leave the show this summer. He will move full time to 'Dateline.' https://t.co/RZRcO8D2vF
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 24, 2025
The transition comes amidst a period of significant change within NBC News. The network has been grappling with declining ratings and unexpected departures, prompting a reevaluation of its programming and talent lineup. (RELATED: MSNBC Cuts Joy Reid’s Show)
In November 2024, reports surfaced that Tom Llamas, a senior national correspondent who joined NBC in 2021, was being considered as Holt’s successor. Llamas, 45, has been anchoring a primetime newscast on NBC News Now and is viewed by many within the organization as a rising star poised to take on a more prominent role.
Besides his beat reporting in San Francisco, Holt’s early work included stints at stations like KHON-TV in Honolulu, setting the stage for a career that would eventually reach national prominence.
In 2015, Holt was promoted to anchor NBC Nightly News after Brian Williams was sidelined for exaggerating his experiences in war zones. Holt’s steady, measured delivery and focus on factual reporting were seen as a stark contrast to the controversy that led to Williams’ downfall.
During his tenure, Holt earned widespread recognition for guiding viewers through numerous significant events, including the 2016 presidential election and debates, the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Capitol riot and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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I won’t miss him. He’s just another left-wing propagandist.