Tom Llamas is the new face of NBC Nightly News, but his arrival has already sparked heated discussions. Fans are comparing him to Lester Holt and wondering if he can rise to the challenge of this iconic role. Early ratings show a tough start, and there’s a major competitor dominating the ratings. So, who is the formidable opponent that Llamas is up against? What’s next for Llamas, and how will he handle the pressure? Stay tuned to find out what’s coming next! 👇👇

Tom Llamas’ NBC Nightly News Ratings Revealed After Lester Holt’s Shock Exit

NBC’s Nightly News entered a new chapter on June 2, 2025, with Tom Llamas officially taking over the anchor chair from broadcasting legend Lester Holt. While Llamas’ debut was highly anticipated, the early ratings indicate that the shift hasn’t been entirely seamless, with fans showing a preference for Holt over his successor. The numbers, however, are not all bad for Llamas, as he managed to retain a decent audience during his first week on air.

Llamas vs. Muir: The Ratings Battle

In the ratings battle for the nightly news audience, ABC’s World News Tonight with David Muir continued to dominate. Muir delivered an impressive 6.997 million total viewers, including 907,000 in the key 25–54 demo and 597,000 in the 18–49 demo, according to TV Insider. These numbers gave Muir a commanding 28% lead over Llamas’ NBC Nightly News, which pulled in a still-respectable 5.449 million total viewers, with 771,000 in the 25–54 demo and 524,000 in the 18–49 group.

What’s more telling, however, is how Llamas’ debut compared to Holt’s final week on NBC Nightly News. While Muir had already led Holt by 17% in total viewers during Holt’s last week, the gap significantly widened with Llamas, increasing to a 28% lead. Muir also saw a much larger margin in the 25–54 demographic, surpassing Llamas by 136,000 viewers, a margin that is 157% greater than the gap between Muir and Holt in the same demo.

Positive News for Llamas: Audience Retention

Despite the ratings disparity, NBC did have some positive news to share. NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas retained more of its audience year-over-year than any other major newscast. Additionally, Llamas’ show was the only one to grow in the 18–49 demographic—a key group for advertisers. This growth is a silver lining for the new anchor, signaling that while Llamas may be facing an uphill battle in terms of raw viewership numbers, he is successfully attracting a younger audience that could be crucial to his long-term success.

Meanwhile, CBS’ Evening News maintained its position in third place, drawing 3.903 million viewers, with 518,000 in the 25–54 demo and 386,000 in the 18–49 group.

Llamas’ Tribute to Lester Holt

Tom Llamas, in a statement issued back in March, acknowledged the immense responsibility of anchoring NBC Nightly News and paid tribute to his predecessor, Lester Holt. “Anchoring NBC Nightly News is a profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility,” Llamas said. “Lester Holt is a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time. Just like Lester, I promise to be devoted to our viewers and dedicated to the truth.”

This statement was likely meant to convey his respect for Holt and the weight of the role he had just assumed. Holt’s impact on the network and his place in the hearts of viewers was clear, and Llamas seemed determined to honor that legacy while making the role his own.

Fans Show Their Support

As Llamas settles into his new role, fans have been quick to show their support. Many praised Llamas for stepping into such a significant position at NBC, with one Instagram user commenting, “You’re a class act, Tom! Welcome to the desk.” Another fan wrote, “I could not be happier for Tom or for NBC…Lester, you will always be the GOAT! All the best!”

However, the departure of Holt has certainly been emotional for long-time viewers of NBC Nightly News. One viewer expressed their sadness, saying, “Lester, we will miss you! My kids grew up watching the news with you. My daughter even used to say Lesterday instead of yesterday when she was learning to talk, I’m sure because Lester Holt was a staple on our TV.” Many viewers voiced their hope for Llamas’ future, with one saying, “So sad to see Lester go! But can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Conclusion: A Steep Challenge Ahead for Llamas

While the early ratings show a tough start for Tom Llamas in his quest to fill Lester Holt’s shoes, there are signs that his journey is far from over. The positive trends in younger audiences and year-over-year retention suggest that Llamas has the potential to carve out a significant presence in the world of nightly news. However, the challenge of catching up to David Muir’s dominance remains a significant hurdle.

As Llamas moves forward, he will have to balance honoring Holt’s legacy while creating his own identity as the anchor of NBC Nightly News. With his experience and respect for journalism, Llamas has a long road ahead, but he’s off to a solid start. The key will be whether he can continue to grow his audience and whether his personal style can resonate with viewers as the competition for the nightly news audience continues to heat up.