Lester Holt Bid Farewell as Anchor of ‘NBC Nightly News’
In a heartfelt goodbye on Friday, Lester Holt concluded his tenure as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News. “It has been an honor to lead this program and an honor to be welcomed into your homes,” Holt expressed. “I’m so grateful for your trust around here. Facts matter, words matter, journalism matters, and you matter.”
His departure coincided with a busy news day that included reports on tornadoes in the South, Elon Musk’s exit from DOGE, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial, wildfires in Canada, and Taylor Swift’s acquisition of her music rights, making Holt’s farewell a significant event in itself.
At 66, Holt announced his decision to step down earlier this year after a decade in the role. However, he will not be leaving NBC entirely; he will transition into a full-time hosting role for the Dateline series. As he signed off, Holt reminded viewers, “I’ll see you on Dateline. In the meantime, please continue to take care of yourself, and each other,” as he was joined by the Nightly News team who applauded his contributions. The broadcast then featured a tribute showcasing memorable moments from Holt’s time as anchor since he took over in 2015.
Tom Llamas will take over as the new anchor starting Monday, also assuming the title of managing editor. When Llamas returned to NBC News in 2021, there was speculation regarding his potential succession of Holt, especially given his previous role as weekend anchor for ABC’s World News Tonight. Llamas will also continue to anchor the streaming newscast Top Story for NBC News Now.
During his farewell on the Today show, Holt reflected on his career, stating, “The time seemed to be right” for him to embrace a new opportunity. He was celebrated as a “class act” by Savannah Guthrie and was grateful for the chance to engage with various prominent figures, including Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
In a competitive media landscape, NBC Nightly News has primarily found itself in second place to ABC’s World News Tonight, led by David Muir. While NBC has enjoyed some ratings victories—like during the Olympics—overall evening news audiences have diminished, they still represent a vital segment of linear television viewership.
According to the latest figures, ABC’s World News Tonight averaged 8.13 million viewers in the first quarter, compared to 6.6 million for NBC Nightly News and 4.59 million for CBS Evening News. In the key 25-54 demographic, World News Tonight attracted 1.16 million viewers, while NBC Nightly News garnered 983,000 and CBS managed 657,000.
Changing anchors carries inherent risks for networks, as viewer habits often remain stable unless significant changes occur. CBS Evening News recently shifted its anchor strategy but has seen a decline in viewership since then. In contrast, Holt’s exit marks a more seamless transition for NBC Nightly News.
Holt’s final words encapsulated his gratitude and optimism for the future, leaving the anchor position in good hands as Llamas prepares to step into the spotlight next week.