Craig Melvin to replace Hoda Kotb as co-anchor of NBC’s ‘Today’ show

NBC News anchor and broadcast journalist Craig Melvin will replace Hoda Kotb as co-anchor of NBC’s Today show, taking over for Kotb following her departure on Jan. 10. Melvin, 45, will co-anchor the program alongside Savannah Guthrie.

Today’s senior vice president, Libby Leist, in a statement: “He’s been an integral and beloved part of our family. From breaking news coverage in the field, to presidential interviews, to multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, Craig’s shown he has the talent and the range to cover all that we do here at Today. And he does it without ever losing that Southern charm.”

The 14-year NBC veteran said after the on-air announcement: “I am beyond excited and grateful. I’ve had a lot of conversations yesterday with a lot of people who mean a lot to me. I want to thank NBC and the folks who deemed me worthy, but I’ve got to start by thanking the man upstairs, the Lord above and his son, Jesus. I’ve enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings.”

Melvin has co-anchored the weekend edition of Today and currently co-hosts the third hour of the Today show, in addition to news-anchoring earlier broadcasts of the show.  He will co-host the Today show with Guthrie for the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours (beginning Jan. 13) and will remain a co-host during the third hour. Today’s fourth hour, which is currently co-hosted by Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, will be rebranded as ‘Today with Jenna & Friends’ beginning Jan. 13.   The show will welcome a rotating cast of personalities to helm the show with Bush Hager until a permanent cohost is found.

Kotb announced she was leaving the Today Show in September, releasing a statement confirming that she’d step down from the show to spend more time with her family: “as I write this, my heart is all over the map,” she wrote in a letter to the show’s staff. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”

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