Hoda Kotb's 'Today' Show Replacement Announced Months After She Revealed 'Painful' Show's Exit
Craig Melvin has been announced to replace Hoda Kotb on the 'TODAY' show.
Melvin, a broadcast journalist and anchor at NBC News and MSNBC, revealed the news on Thursday, November 14. Kotb's last day will be January 10.
"Craig Melvin is the new anchor of the 'Today' show!" Savannah Guthrie said, describing the move as "one of the most popular decisions NBC News has ever made."
Kotb, 60, told Melvin, 45, "You were made for this job. ... You have all the things that this job needs. You're the right person for it."
@nbcnews Craig Melvin will replace Hoda Kotb as co-anchor of the @TODAYshow starting Jan. 13, 2025, after Kotb announced in September that she was leaving the show.
♬ original sound - nbcnews - nbcnews
Kotb wrote a letter to the staff of the morning show informing them that the choice to leave has been a painful choice to make, and added that her career has proven to be meaningful in her life.
Although Kotb won't be hosting anymore, she will reportedly remain on staff as she navigates family matters, which include giving attention to her daughters, Haley and Hope.
"As I write this, my heart is all over the map," Kotb wrote in late September, per 'TODAY.' "I know I'm making the right decision, but it's a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I'm feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it's time for me to leave the show."
"My broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie. I will miss you all desperately, but I'm ready and excited."
According to the media outlet, the journalist will remain in her current role through the start of 2025, but she won't be completely absent from the team.
Kotb wrote: "Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I've been lucky enough to hold close to my heart. I'll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine."
The mother of two has co-anchored NBC News' 'TODAY' along with fellow hosts Guthrie, and Jenna Bush Hager — taking the record for being the first-ever female trio of the fan favorite a.m. talk show.
It was February 2023 when Kotb temporarily parted ways with the series due to her now 4-year-old daughter, Hope, falling ill with a medical crisis that reportedly landed her in the intensive care unit for several days.
"Any parent who's been through a scary thing with their child understands. It's like you just can't believe that your child's sick," the Oklahoma native told 'PEOPLE' in March. "You can't believe that there's nothing you can do. You can't believe that no matter what you do, you can't will it away or protect her, or all the things that we're supposed to be doing as parents. And it's a position I've never found myself in."
In October, Kotb shared an update about her daughter.
"She's thriving," she revealed to 'PEOPLE,' describing how her daughter's progress has brought a renewed sense of hope to their lives. While treatments and careful monitoring continue, Kotb says Hope is finding her strength and steady footing once again, bringing comfort and joy back to their family.
