After more than a decade of leading NBC Nightly News, esteemed journalist Lester Holt is stepping away from the anchor desk, marking the end of an era in American broadcast journalism. Known for his calm authority and trusted reporting, Holt has become a household name, guiding viewers through some of the most significant national and global events of the past ten years. His departure signals a major shift for the network, as Tom Llamas has been officially named as his successor. Llamas, who previously served as chief national affairs correspondent and weekend anchor, will assume the prestigious role beginning June 2. The transition has sparked widespread interest and curiosity about the future tone and direction of the program. While Holt’s departure is bittersweet for longtime viewers, many are optimistic that Llamas will bring fresh energy and perspective while maintaining the journalistic integrity that has defined NBC Nightly News for decades.

Lester Holt is worth over $30 million, following his stepdown from NBC.
Lester Holt will anchor his final edition of NBC Nightly News on Friday, May 30, marking the end of a landmark era in broadcast journalism.

Holt, who made history in 2015 as the first Black solo anchor of a nightly network newscast, is shifting his focus full-time to Dateline NBC, where he’s been a lead anchor since 2011. Tom Llamas, currently the anchor of Top Story and a regular substitute on Nightly News, will assume the role starting Monday, June 2.

Llamas has long been a familiar face to NBC audiences, having also reported for Today and traveled extensively to connect with NBC affiliates across the country in preparation for the new role. Holt joined NBCUniversal in 2000 as an anchor on MSNBC.

Following the passing of David Bloom in 2003, he became the anchor of Weekend Today, and in 2007, he took over the weekend editions of Nightly News. When Brian Williams exited in 2015, Holt stepped into the weekday anchor chair, becoming the fourth person to lead the network’s flagship evening newscast after John Chancellor, Tom Brokaw, and Williams.

Holt joined NBC News in 2000.(Image: Getty)
CNN’s Brian Stelter first reported the timeline of Holt’s departure and Llamas’ elevation. Reflecting on his departure last month, Holt said, “What I know is that journalism is still a noble profession. But one of tremendous responsibility. There is no room for arrogance if we are to succeed in our mission. There is however room for compassion.”

Currently, Holt has a net worth of $35 million, reflecting his decades-long career in broadcast journalism. He earned the majority of his wealth as anchor of NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC.

With Holt’s departure, ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir will become the longest-tenured anchor among the Big Three evening news programs.

Over at CBS, Norah O’Donnell stepped down from the Evening News anchor desk earlier this year, though she continues as a senior correspondent focusing on in-depth reporting and interviews.

Eager to exercise “some different news muscles” the NBC star is embracing his role at Dateline. He elaborated on his decision to join Dateline full-time, saying, “I’ve done a lot of things that are outside of what many would think is a traditional Dateline, but I want to do more of those.”

In a candid interview with Variety, veteran journalist Lester Holt opened up about the personal motivations behind his decision to step away from NBC Nightly News. Reflecting on the demands of anchoring a nightly national broadcast, Holt expressed a desire for greater flexibility and the freedom to pursue stories more on his own terms. “I want to be able to tell a producer, ‘Yes, I’ll be there for that interview next week,’ because I won’t be jumping,” he explained, referencing the unpredictable nature of his current schedule. After dedicating over a decade to delivering the evening news with unwavering consistency, Holt now looks forward to a new chapter — one that allows him to dive deeper into the kinds of journalism that fuel his passion, without the rigid confines of a nightly anchor role. His remarks shed light on a thoughtful transition, rooted in a commitment to storytelling and a desire to evolve as both a reporter and individual.