Lester Holt’s Last Day at NBC Nightly News
Lester Holt ended his role as anchor of NBC Nightly News on May 30, 2025. He announced his departure in February 2025. After 10 years on the job, Holt hosted his final show and passed the baton to Tom Llamas.
Lester Holt Reflects on His Career at NBC
In a message to his colleagues, Holt called his time at NBC “an amazing ride.” He said he is proud to have anchored two of NBC’s top news shows: Nightly News and Dateline. Though he is leaving the nightly news desk, Holt will stay with NBC as a full-time Dateline anchor. He looks forward to reporting on stories he cares about deeply.
Why Is Lester Holt Leaving NBC Nightly News?
Holt became the anchor of NBC Nightly News in June 2015. Over the past decade, he covered major events like presidential elections and world crises. On February 24, 2025, he announced it was time to step down. Holt clarified that he is not retiring but changing his focus to long-form journalism. He spent 17 years with NBC, including his weekend anchor role.
What’s Next for Lester Holt?
Holt has hosted Dateline NBC since 2011. Starting this summer, he will work there full-time. He plans to tell deeper, investigative stories that take months to report. Holt said in an interview that his decision came after many talks with his wife. He wants to focus on detailed, meaningful journalism.
Meet Tom Llamas: The New NBC Nightly News Anchor
In March 2025, NBC named Tom Llamas as Lester Holt’s replacement. Llamas joined NBC in 2021 after working at ABC. He called anchoring NBC Nightly News a great honor. He promised to serve viewers with truth and dedication. Llamas will also keep hosting Top Story with Tom Llamas on NBC News NOW.
Summary
Lester Holt’s exit from NBC Nightly News ends a decade-long era. He will focus full-time on Dateline to tell in-depth stories. Tom Llamas takes over as anchor and vows to keep delivering trusted news. This change marks a new chapter for NBC news viewers.
