Who is replacing Hoda Kotb on ‘Today?’ Here is when the new co-anchor starts

On By Littum

After nearly two decades, Hoda Kotb is saying goodbye Today show on Friday, January 10, capping off a fun and emotional week with “Hodabration.” As the veteran journalist prepares her next chapter, many are wondering who will replace her. Here’s everything you need to know about her sequel.

Kotb who joined Today in 2007 as the first host of NBC’s first four-hour program, announced her departure on September 26. “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s painful. And you all are why. I love you and it is time for me to leave the show,” she wrote in a letter to Today show staff. She added that her daughters “deserve a bigger piece of my time pie.”

The mother of two told me that later People turning the 60-mile mark inspired her to reevaluate her priorities as a parent. She shares two daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, with her ex-fiance Joel Schiffman. Hoda adopted Haley in 2017 and Hope in 2019.

ForbesWhen is Hoda Kotb’s last day on ‘Today?’ Why she is leaving after 17 yearsBy Monica Mercury

“I knew I wanted this decade to be different. I looked at my time as a pie. I thought, this is so much time, and what am I going to do with it, and how am I going to cut it up ?And I wanted it filled with more of you” she said.

Kotb’s last week Today began on January 6 with a surprise visit from her Tri Delt sorority sisters. She also got a custom painting by Charlie Mackesy, the author of one of her favorite books. On her last day, January 10, Hoda’s colleagues shared heartfelt messages reflecting on their relationship with her over the years, bringing her to tears.

“It wasn’t fair,” Hoda said after watching the video. (See all live updates from her final broadcastshere).

Who replaces Hoda Kotb on Today?

Craig Melvin will replace Hoda Kotb on Today, shares co-anchoring duties with Savannah Guthrie. Melvin is currently hosting the third hour of Today alongside Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer, a role he will continue to hold. He has been with the network since 2011.

Guthrie shared the exciting news of Melvin’s promotion while anchoring the beloved talk show last fall. “(He is) talented, wonderful, hardworking and the most worthy of this,” she said. “Let me just say the senior staff found out this morning and people erupted in applause.”

Melvin said he was “thrilled and grateful” to take on the significant role, according to NBC.com. “I had a lot of conversations yesterday with a lot of people who mean a lot to me, and I just wanted to thank NBC and the people here who have deemed me worthy. I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of blessings and this is the latest in a long line of blessings.”

Kotb congratulations her replacement after Today revealed the news on November 14. “Craig, you were made for this job,” she told Melvin. “You are literally made for this job. You are such a good one. You have all the things that this job needs. You are the right person for it.”

When is Craig Melvin’s first day anchoring Today?

Craig Melvin officially begins as co-anchor of Today on Monday, January 13, 2025. Stay tuned for more details on how the morning show plans to celebrate his debut.

Craig Melvin will also co-host the fourth hour of Today?

No, Craig Melvin will not be co-hosting the fourth hour of Today along with Jenna Bush Hager. The program, which is renamed to Today with Jenna & Friends, has not yet appointed an official replacement.

Bush Hager told Black on January 6 that she is “involved” in finding a new co-host, but noted that there is no defined timeline for finding Hoda’s replacement.

“I feel like our audience deserves time to get to know a lot of different people, a lot of different backgrounds,” the former first daughter said. “We’re hoping to pull up the seats for all different types of people. I think there’s definitely going to be some surprises. And it’s like, when we know, I think we know.”

Instead, Bush Hager will be joined by a rotating cast of celebrity co-hosts, including Keke Palmer, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Taraji P. Henson and others. Henson will appear on the morning show on January 13th and January 17th, with Longoria joining on January 14th and Palmer on January 15th. Johansson will step in as a guest co-host during the second week. Additional guest hosts will be announced at a later date.