On Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, Lester Holt, a seasoned broadcaster who spent a decade as the anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” declared his intentions to leave his role this summer. He will now devote his full attention to “Dateline NBC.”
In a memo sent to the staff, Holt expressed his gratification for being part of two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcasting history.
Holt, who made history as the first Black anchor of “NBC Nightly News” in 2015, will concentrate solely on his work with “Dateline.” The 65-year-old has been the principal anchor of the show since 2011.
Sharing his journey with colleagues, Holt, in a message, reminisced about his days as a young radio reporter in San Francisco, California, covering the police beat. He marveled at the trajectory his career has taken, describing it as an “amazing ride.”
Holt, originally from Sacramento, California, joined NBC News in 2000. He took over the weeknight broadcast of “Nightly News” in 2015, following the exit of Brian Williams, who had admitted to exaggerating his experiences covering the Iraq War. Before that, Holt had spent eight years anchoring the weekend edition of the program.
Holt’s tenure at “Nightly News” was marked by his distinctive sign-off, “Please take care of yourself and each other,” and by his consistent presence during major national events, notably during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Complimenting Holt, Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News Executive Vice President of Programming, wrote in a staff memo that under Holt’s guidance, “Nightly News” remained a reliable source of information for millions of viewers. She acknowledged his role in steering the network through the pandemic, during which his nightly presence provided comfort to viewers.
Rodriguez concluded her message by hailing Holt as the vital pulse of the news organization.
Amid a significant reshuffling at NBC News, Holt’s decision to step down follows several other high-profile departures. Hoda Kotb, the co-host of the “Today” show, recently stepped down, passing the baton to Craig Melvin. Meanwhile, Chuck Todd, the moderator of “Meet the Press,” exited the network, and Andrea Mitchell’s daytime MSNBC program ended, as did Joy Reid’s show.
During his tenure, Holt conducted numerous high-profile interviews, including a notable 2021 exchange with then-Vice President Kamala Harris about her absence from the Southern border. Harris’ response, “And I haven’t been to Europe,” made headlines at the time.
In 2021, Holt stirred the media industry when, upon receiving the Edward R. Murrow Award for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism, he proposed a reevaluation of traditional media balance norms.
Holt argued that fairness is overrated and questioned the practice of always giving equal weight to two sides, as he felt this does not always reflect reality. He used the setting of the sun in the West as an example of a fact that does not need countering with alternate viewpoints.
He further clarified that refraining from giving equal airtime to unsupported arguments wasn’t a failure in journalistic duty, but rather its fulfillment.
Holt’s career journey included an internship at Sacramento’s KCRA, the local NBC affiliate. After graduating from Cordova High School in the Sacramento area, he attended Sacramento State University before leaving to pursue his broadcasting career. His professional journey led him to New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago before joining NBC News.
In his staff memo, Holt communicated his eagerness about expanding his role at “Dateline,” where he plans to delve into topics he is passionate about. He will continue to anchor “NBC Nightly News” until early summer 2025, with exact dates to be announced later.
NBC has not yet announced Holt’s successor for the “Nightly News” anchor chair, although several names have been floated as potential replacements. NBC correspondent Tom Llamas is reportedly a frontrunner, with Hallie Jackson and Jose Diaz-Balart also in the mix.
Under Holt’s stewardship, “NBC Nightly News” remained the second-most-watched evening news broadcast in America, coming in behind ABC’s “World News Tonight” in the ratings.
