Lester Holt Bids Adieu to ‘NBC Nightly News’—But Don’t Worry, He’s Not Leaving NBC!

In a move that’s making waves in the world of broadcast journalism, seasoned anchor Lester Holt is stepping down as the face of “NBC Nightly News” after a remarkable tenure. With a career spanning over a decade at the helm of the flagship news program, Holt announced in a heartfelt memo to staff that he’ll officially exit in early summer 2024. After years of covering monumental events like presidential elections, the COVID-19 pandemic, and even the chaotic Los Angeles wildfires, Holt reflected on this chapter of his life as “an honor of a lifetime.” But let’s be real, he’s not just disappearing from our screens. He’ll still be very much part of the NBC family, taking on a more permanent role as the lead anchor of “Dateline NBC.”

Holt, now 65, has some serious street cred. His journalistic journey began as a 20-year-old radio reporter in San Francisco, and he’s since secured multiple Emmy Awards for his impactful reporting (and let’s not forget those high-profile interviews with world leaders like Barack Obama and Donald Trump). His new role means we’ll still get our fix of Holt’s calm and collected storytelling, just in a different format.

Interestingly, Holt’s departure comes on the heels of some major shakeups within NBC’s ranks. Just this week, MSNBC confirmed it will undergo significant changes, including the end of Joy Reid’s “The ReidOut,” replaced by a panel show featuring familiar political faces like Symone Sanders Townsend. Even veteran Andrea Mitchell exited “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” after a lengthy 17 years. Meanwhile, Chuck Todd famously exited “Meet the Press” earlier this year, reminiscing about the “legendary” anchors he followed.

So while fans may feel a pang of sadness as Holt steps away from “Nightly News,” there’s no denying this iconic anchor will remain a major player in the network’s lineup. After all, with “Dateline,” he’ll continue to bring us chilling true crime stories that always leave us wanting more. And if there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s that with journalism as a frequent pivot point, anything can happen next!

Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter