Lester Holt to Transition from NBC Nightly News to Full-Time Role at Dateline
After a decade as the anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” Lester Holt is set to step down from his position, as reported by NBC News and Variety. The veteran journalist, who has held the role since 2015, will be leaving in early summer to focus on fronting NBC’s news magazine show, “Dateline.”
In a memo to colleagues, Holt expressed gratitude for his time at “Nightly News,” stating, “It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do.” He also announced his new full-time role at “Dateline,” where he will have the opportunity to delve into topics he is passionate about and work closely with the show’s team.
Holt’s tenure at “Nightly News” included coverage of significant events such as three U.S. general elections, the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Janelle Rodriguez, executive vice president of programming for NBC News, praised Holt’s leadership during challenging times, describing him as “the beating heart of this news organization.”
Having started his television journalism career in the early 1980s, Holt took over the anchor position at “Nightly News” from Brian Williams following controversy surrounding Williams’ reporting. With an average of around 7 million daily viewers, NBC News has not yet announced Holt’s successor for the flagship evening newscast.
As Holt prepares to transition to his new role at “Dateline,” viewers can expect to see him expanding his presence on the show and exploring a range of compelling subjects. His dedication to journalism and storytelling will continue to shine through in his work, as he embarks on this next chapter of his career.
