Something Changed Behind the Scenes — And Now Everything’s Different at NBC

Savannah Guthrie has shared her congratulations to veteran broadcaster Lester Holt after the news of his departure from NBC Nightly News. The 65-year-old is the latest in a string of TV journalists who have stepped down from their positions, including Chuck Todd and Hoda Kotb.

Taking to social media, Savannah shared a snap of her and Lester during their coverage of the 2022 Midterm Election Coverage on NBC News. Congratulating Lester on his ten-year run as anchor at NBC Nightly News, the Today host penned: “Congrats to @lesterholtnbc on an amazing decade and the new chapter about to unfold! I’m grateful for getting to share so many historic moments right by your side – always, always the class act.”

Fans shared their sadness in the comments section, with one person writing: “Very Sorry to hear this. The evening news won’t be the same without Lester!!” while another added: “I will miss him! Just a sense of calm and professionalism watching him every night.”

Lester, who became a permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News in 2015 after the departure of Brian Williams, will devote his time fully to Dateline, which he has hosted since 2011. His replacement has yet to be announced.

Savannah Guthrie in the Today Show studios
© Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty I
Savannah praised Lester for his ten-year run.
Lester’s departure was announced in a memo to staffers on Monday. “After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of Nightly News,” it read. “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.”