“He’s good… but is he trusted?” — Tom Llamas faces growing PRESSURE as ‘NBC Nightly News’ ratings reveal SHARP viewer shifts since replacing Lester Holt, sparking debate over loyalty and legacy

 

When Tom Llamas stepped into the coveted anchor seat at NBC Nightly News, the spotlight was intense—but now, the ratings are telling a story that has fans and insiders talking. A noticeable shift in viewership has stirred comparisons to longtime anchor Lester Holt, with some praising Llamas’ energy, while others question whether he commands the same trust and authority. Are audiences embracing the new era—or quietly tuning out? Behind the numbers lies a bigger question about identity, legacy, and what viewers really want from their nightly news.

See what the ratings reveal and why fans are split on Llamas’ future—check out the full story now.

When Tom Llamas first stepped into the hallowed seat of NBC Nightly News, he knew the legacy he was inheriting wasn’t just built on experience—it was built on trust. And now, barely weeks into his tenure, that very trust is being questioned. The numbers are in, and while they don’t spell disaster, they paint a complex picture—one that has executives pacing, longtime viewers wondering, and media critics asking an uncomfortable question: Is Tom Llamas truly the right successor to Lester Holt?

A New Era Begins — But With Fractures Underneath

It all officially began on June 2, when NBC made the monumental shift. After nearly a decade of steadfast leadership from Lester Holt, the network passed the torch to Llamas, a rising star with a polished résumé and a reputation for drive. On paper, he seemed like a solid choice. In practice, however, early viewership is exposing deep fractures in audience loyalty.

In his first full week, Llamas failed to match the numbers Holt consistently delivered. According to TV Insider, ABC’s World News Tonight with David Muir didn’t just beat Llamas—it trounced him, pulling in a jaw-dropping 1.5 million more viewers. In the key demographic of adults aged 25–54, Muir led by a staggering 157% compared to Holt’s final week. That drop has set off alarm bells within NBC and reignited a national conversation: Can charisma and polish replace legacy and trust?

Image via NBC

 

The Ghost of Lester Holt Looms Large

Lester Holt wasn’t just a news anchor—he was an institution. For nearly ten years, he commanded the desk with steady gravitas, guiding the nation through some of the most turbulent periods in recent history. From pandemics and elections to civil unrest and international crises, Holt delivered the news with unshakable calm. He made history as the first Black man to anchor a major broadcast network’s nightly news, and more importantly, he earned the public’s trust.

And that trust didn’t vanish the moment he stepped away—it lingered. It’s casting a long, unyielding shadow over Tom Llamas, who now finds himself not just filling shoes, but standing at the edge of a legacy cliff.

Mixed Reviews, Divided Audiences

Llamas’ debut week drew a modest 5.4 million viewers. That number might sound respectable, but when placed next to ABC’s nearly 7 million, it’s clear NBC is in a defensive posture. In the coveted 18–49 demo, NBC did manage to claim some ground with 524,000 viewers—marking the only major newscast to actually grow its audience in that demographic. It’s a small victory, but a necessary one.

Some insiders are optimistic. Llamas is younger, sharper, and represents a new era of journalism that can connect with modern viewers. His previous experience at World News Tonight, TODAY, and even as Holt’s own substitute, means he isn’t unseasoned. But others argue that the intangible factor—trust—takes years to build, and Llamas is only beginning that uphill climb.

“He’s good… but is he trusted?” one longtime NBC viewer posted on a media forum. “I don’t feel the same comfort I felt with Lester. It’s like watching someone read a script. Holt was the news. Llamas reads the news.”

 

 

 

Image via NBC

 

Internal Doubts, Executive Tensions

Behind the scenes, sources suggest NBC executives are closely monitoring the early weeks. One producer, speaking anonymously, admitted: “This isn’t a crisis, but it’s definitely a pressure point. We made a big move—and now we’re watching, day by day, to see if America follows.”

NBC has been here before. Replacing a trusted anchor isn’t just a staffing change—it’s a psychological gamble. The evening news, for millions of Americans, isn’t just information—it’s ritual. It’s comfort. And anything that feels jarringly different can cause viewers to click away, even if the new face is perfectly qualified.

A Measured Response from Llamas

To his credit, Tom Llamas hasn’t flinched publicly. In interviews, he’s struck a tone of humility and determination. When first announced as Holt’s successor, he didn’t shy away from the weight of the moment.

“Anchoring NBC Nightly News is a profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility,” Llamas said in March. “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.”

That respect, however sincere, has done little to quell the wave of scrutiny surrounding his early performance.

 

Image via NBC

 

The Numbers Behind the Drama

Let’s break down the stats. For Llamas’ first official week:

ABC’s World News Tonight led NBC’s program by 28% overall, pulling in 6.997 million viewers.

NBC followed with 5.449 million viewers and 524,000 adults aged 18–49.

CBS Evening News trailed far behind with just 3.903 million viewers.

NBC, while lagging in total viewers, was the only network to grow its 18–49 audience—a potential sign of long-term payoff if younger viewers stick around.

Still, for a network used to competing at the top, second place feels more like last.

 

 

Image via ABC

 

The Road Ahead: Can Llamas Win Them Over?

The central question now: can Tom Llamas win back those viewers?

It’s too early to call his run a failure. The media landscape has changed dramatically. People now get news from a dozen places before dinner. Ratings aren’t everything—but perception is. And the perception that Llamas hasn’t quite “clicked” is becoming a conversation that NBC can’t ignore.

To break through, Llamas will need more than sharp suits and crisp delivery. He’ll need moments. Defining moments. The kind that transform a face on the screen into a voice America trusts. Lester Holt had them—whether it was leading breaking coverage or guiding calm narratives through chaos. Llamas must now earn his.

The Verdict: Still in the Balance

So where does this leave NBC Nightly News?

Caught between eras. Suspended between tradition and transition. Tom Llamas is not a gamble, but he is a question mark. And in a world saturated with news, what audiences seem to crave more than anything isn’t innovation—it’s intimacy. They want to believe the person delivering the news sees them, hears them, and—most of all—understands them.

For Tom Llamas, the real story isn’t in the headlines he reads. It’s in the legacy he’s trying to write.

The pressure is rising. The ratings are speaking. And for NBC, one question remains unanswered:

Is he just good—or is he truly trusted?