Lester Holt to Step Down as Anchor of ‘NBC Nightly News’: Lester Holt, the familiar and trusted voice behind “NBC Nightly News” for nearly a decade, has announced that he will step down from his role as anchor in the coming months, marking the end of an era in evening news. In a message shared with his colleagues on Monday, Holt, 65, revealed that he would continue anchoring until the “start of summer.” However, NBC has yet to name a successor to take over the nightly newscast.
Holt, who has been a prominent figure at NBC News for years, explained that he was looking forward to expanding his role at “Dateline,” where he serves as anchor. His shift away from the evening news doesn’t mean he’s stepping back completely — Holt plans to remain deeply involved in journalism, a field he’s passionately served for decades.
Reflecting on his time anchoring the nightly news, Holt told his colleagues: “It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do.”
Holt’s career reached a defining moment in 2015 when he took over the anchor chair of “NBC Nightly News” amid a challenging period for the program. The newscast had been thrown into turmoil following a scandal surrounding Brian Williams, the former anchor, who was found to have embellished a story about a helicopter attack in Iraq. At the time, Holt was the weekend anchor for the program, and he quickly filled in for Williams, ultimately taking over the position full-time after Williams’ suspension. His steady and trustworthy leadership helped guide the program through a difficult time, reassuring viewers and restoring credibility.
Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News’ executive vice president of programming, praised Holt’s leadership in a note to staff, stating that he had “led the newscast during some of the country’s most fraught and challenging times in the past decade.” She went on to call him “the beating heart of this news organization,” a sentiment many will surely agree with, considering the trust Holt has built with viewers over the years.
Holt’s departure comes at a pivotal moment for the news industry, which is experiencing significant changes. Veteran anchors like Hoda Kotb, Chris Wallace, and Chuck Todd have recently left their positions, signaling a shift in how news is delivered. Additionally, the “CBS Evening News” has undergone a major overhaul, now opting for a format with two anchors and a team of correspondents, moving away from the traditional single-anchor setup.
As Holt transitions out of his nightly role, his influence on the industry remains undeniable. It’s clear that he will continue to be a powerful presence at NBC, ensuring that the standard of excellence in journalism he upheld will persist, even as his focus shifts. As news organizations evolve to meet the demands of modern audiences, the legacy of trusted figures like Holt offers a benchmark for the future — one where integrity, professionalism, and human connection remain at the forefront.