Craig Melvin Tapped To Replace Hoda Kotb On NBC's 'Today'

11/14/2024 05:51 PM

It looks like NBC’s signature morning show Today will be having a new, yet familiar face co-hosting after Hoda Kotb steps down in early 2025.

According to Variety, Craig Melvin will be stepping up to co-host the popular AM show after years of being a part of the show. Now that he’s been tapped to co-anchor the show from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., it shouldn’t be too hard of a transition as he’s been preparing for this role for quite some time. Still, some viewers might miss Kotb in the very beginning of Melvin’s stint, but the man is quite charismatic so we’re sure he’ll do just fine in his new and deserving role.

Per Variety:

Transitions of talent in morning TV can be fraught. Audiences come to think of the anchors as part of their daily routine, and don't take kindly to such things being upset. At the same time, no one can anchor forever, and Kotb has cited a desire to spend more time with two young children.

"We are beyond thrilled to have Craig step into the co-anchor chair," said Libby Leist, senior vice president of "Today," in a statement to staff."He's been an integral and beloved part of our family. From breaking news coverage in the field, to presidential interviews, to multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, Craig's shown he has the talent and the range to cover all that we do here at 'Today.' And he does it without ever losing that Southern charm."

"Today" has enjoyed some recent momentum, owed in some part to NBC's recent broadcasts of the Paris Olympics. In the past two weeks, however, "Today" captured bigger overall audiences than its main competitor, ABC's "Good Morning America," which typically leads in that category. "Today" has kept its lead among viewers between 25 and 54, the demographic most favored by advertisers in news programming.

We’ll be rooting for Craig Melvin.

What do y’all think of Craig Melvin getting promoted to co-anchor of NBC’s Today? Let us know in the comments section below.