After serving as the anchor of NBC Nightly News for the past ten years, veteran journalist Lester Holt has announced his departure from the program. 

The news was shared in a memo to his colleagues at Nightly News and Dateline, where Holt reflected on his remarkable career and contributions to broadcast journalism.

Holt Bids Farewell to ‘NBC Nightly News’

In his statement, Holt, 65, expressed gratitude for his time leading Nightly News, calling it an “amazing ride.” 

He highlighted his journey from a young radio reporter in San Francisco to becoming one of the most respected figures in television journalism.

“A smile comes to my face when I think that with ‘Nightly News’ and ‘Dateline,’ 

I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history,” Holt wrote in his memo.

Although he did not specify an exact departure date, reports indicate that he is expected to step down at the beginning of the summer.

Potential Successor: Tom Llamas Favored for the Role

NBC has not yet officially announced Holt’s replacement, but multiple reports suggest that Tom Llamas is the leading candidate for the position.

A source from NBC told Page Six, “It’s definitely Tom. It’s basically a race between Tom and Hallie Jackson, but Tom is 99 percent likely to take over.”

Llamas, 45, currently serves as a senior national correspondent for NBC News. He joined the network in 2021 after leaving ABC’s World News Tonight, and rumors have swirled ever since that he was being positioned as Holt’s successor.

Jackson, meanwhile, is a respected journalist within NBC News, serving as the senior Washington correspondent and the anchor of the Sunday edition of NBC Nightly News. While she remains in contention for the position, sources believe that Llamas is the frontrunner.

A Long-Standing Career in Journalism

Holt’s departure from Nightly News does not mean he is stepping away from NBC entirely. He will continue his role as a principal anchor for Dateline, a program he has been involved with since 2011.

Holt’s journey with NBC began in 2003 after spending 19 years with CBS. Initially, he worked as a substitute anchor for both Nightly News and the Today show, while also co-anchoring Weekend Today.

By 2007, Holt had taken over the weekend edition of NBC Nightly News, and in 2015, he was named the weekday anchor following Brian Williams’ departure. Over the past decade, he has led the network through some of the most significant global and national events, cementing his status as a trusted voice in journalism.

NBC Praises Holt’s Contributions

Following Holt’s announcement, NBC News’ Executive Vice President of Programming, Janelle Rodriguez, released a statement commending his leadership.

“He has led the network during some of the country’s most fraught and challenging times in the past decade,” Rodriguez said, acknowledging Holt’s impact on the industry and his dedication to delivering news with integrity.

Llamas’ Rise at NBC

If Llamas is ultimately chosen as Holt’s successor, it would mark the culmination of a strategic move made by NBC when they hired him in 2021.

At the time, Page Six reported that Holt was keenly aware of Llamas’ growing presence at the network and negotiated for the title of Managing Editor as part of his contract renewal to maintain his position.

A source at the time stated, “Llamas was clearly being groomed for a big role, and Holt made sure to solidify his standing.”

Now, with Holt stepping down from Nightly News, it appears that Llamas is set to step into one of the most high-profile roles in television journalism.

A New Era for ‘NBC Nightly News’

Holt’s departure marks the end of an era for NBC Nightly News, a program that has long been a cornerstone of American broadcast journalism. His tenure has been defined by steady, authoritative reporting on major events, from presidential elections to global crises.

As the network prepares for this transition, all eyes will be on NBC’s final decision regarding Holt’s replacement. Whether Llamas takes over or another contender emerges, the next anchor of Nightly News will have big shoes to fill as they lead the program into a new chapter.

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