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Hoda Kotb’s ‘Today’ Show Replacement Confirmed as Craig Melvin 2 Months After She Announces Departure
Craig Melvin will be replacing Hoda Kotb as Today show coanchor. NBC confirmed on Thursday, November 14, that Craig will be joining Savannah Guthrie at the news desk from the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours once Hoda leaves in 2025.
The confirmation comes following Hoda’s September announcement that she will be leaving Today. A replacement has not been named for the 10 a.m. hour, which Hoda, 60, currently cohosts with Jenna Bush Hager. For now, Jenna will appear with a rotating panel of cohosts, with the segment being called Today With Jenna and Friends.
Craig, 45, became a daytime Today anchor in 2018 after years of working at other NBC affiliates, including seven years at MSNBC. He eventually joined Today Third Hour as as cohost and became a more permanent fixture on the morning show beginning in January 2019.
After Hoda announced her Today departure, Craig took to Instagram to pay tribute to his longtime colleague. “Hoda Kotb is 1 of 1. She’s a beautiful soul who only radiates light. Like you, I was stunned to hear she’s decided to turn the page but I guarantee her next chapter is going to make for an even more awesome story,” he wrote. “I love you, my friend. Sad news for the Today family. Fantastic news for Hope and Haley.”
Hoda said that her decision to step away from the talk show came after she celebrated her 60th birthday in August. She cited wanting to spend more time with her young daughters, Hope and Haley, as the main reason why she was ready to exit. However, she assured her fans and coworkers that she would still be part of the NBC family, although her future plans with the network have yet to be confirmed.
A source exclusively told Closer in September that another part of Hoda’s decision to leave the show was because she “didn’t get the money or deal that she wanted” amid contract negotiations. “It’s a warning shot to other big-name stars and anchors that the days of huge contracts are over,” the insider spilled.
Hoda’s departure comes after 26 years with NBC. She began working as a correspondent for NBC News in 1998 and eventually began cohosting the fourth hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford in 2007. In 2018, Hoda took over as the cohost of the first two hours of the Today show alongside Savannah, 52.
In October, Hoda opened up about feeling mom “guilt” before finally making her decision. “You can’t be 100 percent at work and 100 percent at home,” she told People. “Something has to give if you want excellence. If you’re going to be excellent at work, something has to give at home. And if you want to be excellent at home, I mean excellent, and do all the things, something has to give at work. It can’t be equal.”
Hoda’s final day on Today will be January 10, 2025.
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