Tom Llamas Confirmed as Lester Holt’s ‘NBC Nightly News’ Replacement
With Lester Holt leaving NBC Nightly News, all eyes are on who will replace him. Holt isn’t due to exit his position behind the news desk until sometime this summer, but his successor has already been named.
The network confirmed on Wednesday, March 5, that Tom Llamas will be replacing Holt later this summer. He will also continue to host his streaming show Top Story.
“Anchoring NBC Nightly News is a profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility,” Llamas said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the world class journalists at Nightly News and Top Story to bring viewers the most important stories every night. 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.”
The news comes after Page Six reported in February that Llamas was the frontrunner to replace Holt “It’s basically a race between Tom and Hallie Jackson, but Tom is 99 percent,” the paper reported.
After initially working for NBC News from 2000-2014, Llamas returned in 2021 following a stint with ABC News. He is a senior national correspondent for the network and hosts the primetime newscast Top Story With Tom Llamas on NBC News Now. Meanwhile, Jackson has been with the network since 2014. She hosts Hallie Jackson NOW on NBC News Now, anchors MSNBC’s 3:00 hour, and serves as the chief White House correspondent.
NBC/YouTube
Holt has been anchoring NBC Nightly News for 10 years. He announced his departure on Monday, but assured his fans that he wouldn’t be leaving the network completely. Instead, he’ll be dedicating himself to Dateline NBC full-time. He’s been anchoring the program since 2011.
“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,” Holt said in a statement. “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.”
He continued, “Before we play the walk off music, I have another announcement. I’m excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of Dateline NBC, but for the first time in a full time capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about. I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with my enormously talented friends at Dateline as the broadcast continues to grow and attract new viewers in new places.”
Who do you think should replace Lester Holt? Let us know in the comments section below.
NBC Nightly News, Weeknights, 6:30/5:30c, NBC
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Peter Alexander.
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I would certainly vote for Hallie Jackson.
Very professional, articulate and smart
She would be a great replacement for Lester Holt.
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I look forward to Jose Diaz-Balart anchoring on Saturday nights. He is so calm, concise, and compassionate. Really wish it could be him.
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Another vote here for Peter Alexander.
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Hallie Jackson
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Hallie Jackson. She's poised, articulate and brings some humor to the desk!
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Tom Llamas or Peter Alexander would be great replacements for Lester Holt. They both have years of proven experience and both are very talented!
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Savanna Guthrie so Craig can take over today show and sheinell jones can replace savanna.
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Willie Geist
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Rachel Maddow
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Hallee Jackson is by far the best choice. Smart. Clear and concise. Extremely professional. Has a great career ahead of her at NBC.
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I will miss Lester because my mom likes him for some reason I cringe when Tom yahmes anchors he is too dramatic in his voice he talks like he has rocks in his mouth Savannah Guthrie on the other hand talks with a calm demeanor sorry but she has been there more years and always gets passed over for the nightly news it’s not fair nbc oviously wants her to stay on now with Hoda Gone Savannah will probably be Tom’s chief fill in when he is away but I would rather see her get it but I find Tom phony and annoying to listen too
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Tom llamas
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Jose Diaz-Ballart
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Hallie Jackson is very professional, funny, and can bring the information to the people in their language. She's wonderful!!!! If Tom Llamas takes over, I'll move to ABC
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Tom Costello
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https://www.tvinsider.com/people/hallie-jackson/
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Tom Llamas for sure!
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Tom llamas
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Steve Bannon
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Tom is perfect! Now I will go back to watching NBC!
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never heard of him.
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Jose Diaz Balart
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I think Jose Diaz-Balart should replace Lester Holt
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Tom Llamas would be a great choice.
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Bring back Brian Williams!
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Definitely Tom Llamas.
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Tom Llamas is my choice to take over for the warm, caring truly likable Lester Holt
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Jose Diaz-Balart
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Tom Llamas is the best.....he is my choice.
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Halle Jackson... I like Tom Llamas but Halle is the next lead for sure! She is relateable and that coupled with her professionalism and good humor, she is the best choice!
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Tom is the best
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Tom Llamas deserves to replace Lester Holt.
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Hallie Jackson for sure. I will not watch NBC nightly news anymore if Llamas gets the job
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Hallie jackson
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Ryan Nobles or Kate Snow
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Hallie Jackson all the way!
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Tom Llamis for sure!
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Halle all the way!
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tom LLamas
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Tom Llamas
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Hallie Jackson
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is there no date for the replacement yet? later this summer? come on
NBC
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Unfortunate choice. Would have liked to see Hallie get it.
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Won’t be watching Tom yahmes makes me cringe when he anchors he is annoying to listen too and so phony Hallie Jackson would have been a better choice
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Love Tom Llamas! Missed him on ABC and may switch to him when he assumes the post. He’s excellent.
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I absolutely love Lester Holt and I think it’s a shame he is being replaced with what I see is a desperate attempt to woo viewers away from David Muir. I did tune in to ABC a few times to see what all the fuss was about and didn’t see the attraction. I have been watching NBC news since the Huntley-Brinkley era but when Lester goes so shall I. Very disappointed.
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Whoever it is, it should be a smooth transition.
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Please do not give the job to Tom yahmes he is just the worst I find his anchoring style annoying to listen too too dramatic it’s like nails on a chalkboard he did that at ABC it was painful to watch Hallie Jackson is so much better because she is funny and not full of drama in her voice
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Maybe for I have 3 potential candidates is to replace Lester Holt on NBC Nightly News and they are 1. Tom Llamas and if he is named as the replacement and for Joy Reid can take over as the host on Top Story on NBC 2. Hallie Jackson could be named but She is likely will be named as the new host on Sunday Today due to Willie Geist will be moved to the weekdays as the breaking news anchor on the Today Show due to Craig Melvin's promotion is to be the main anchor on Today and for Willie will also be on with Jenna on the 4th hour on Today is to replace Hoda there too and I think for MSNBC will not be keeping Willie on Morning Joe or on any of their networks. and 3. Joy Reid herself could replace Lester Holt but I do think for she'll host Top Story on NBC News instead.
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I have always thought if Lester left Thomas Llamas should take his place.
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I meant to say nbc wants Savannah to stay on today show
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Tom of course. It's basically him for that job. I will not tune in but it is the obvious replacement.
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Tom Llamas, of course! If so, I’ll be switching from ABC’s evening news to NBC Nightly News. I’ve missed Tom!
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I have missed Tom too on ABC. He is the best.
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