Source: John Lamparski/Getty
It looks like NBC's signature morning show Today will have a new but familiar face co-hosting after Hoda Kotb leaves in early 2025.
According to VarietyCraig Melvin will join as co-host of the popular AM show after years on the show. Now that he's been tapped to co-host the 7am to 9am show, the transition shouldn't be too difficult as he's been preparing for this role for quite some time. Still, some viewers may miss Kotb at the start of Melvin's tenure, but the man is pretty charismatic, so we're sure he'll do just fine in his well-deserved new role.
Per Variety:
Talent transitions on morning TV can be fraught. The public thinks that anchors are part of their daily lives and do not take kindly to such things being upset. At the same time, no one can anchor forever, and Kotb mentioned a desire to spend more time with two young children.
“We are beyond excited to have Craig step into the co-anchor chair,” Libby Laist, senior vice president of “Today,” said in a statement to staff. “It is an integral and beloved part of our family. From covering breaking news on the field, presidential interviews, multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, Craig has shown he has the talent and range to cover everything we do here at “Today.” And he does it without ever losing that Southern charm.”
“Today” has seen some recent momentum, due in part to NBC's recent coverage of the Paris Olympics. In the past two weeks, however, “Today” drew a bigger audience than its main competitor, ABC's “Good Morning America,” which usually leads in that category. “Today” has maintained its lead among viewers between the ages of 25 and 54, the demographic most favored by advertisers in the news program.
We'll rely on Craig Melvin.
What do you think of Craig Melvin being promoted to co-anchor of NBC Today? Let us know in the comments section below.
