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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lester Holt Ends 10-Year Run as ‘NBC Nightly News' Anchor With Hopeful Sign-Off: ‘Facts Matter, Words Matter, Journalism Matters and You Matter'
Lester Holt delivered his final report as 'NBC Nightly News' anchor Friday after 10 years at the desk, leaving viewers with words of gratitude and optimism. Holt, 66, earlier this year announced that he would be leaving 'Nightly' this summer. But he's not leaving the network: Going forward, he plans to devote himself full time to NBC News' 'Dateline,' which he has anchored since 2011. More from Variety Lester Holt Will Exit NBC's 'Nightly,' but Not News: 'I Still Had Gas in the Tank' NBC News Uses Kentucky Derby for New Swing at Sports Coverage NBC News Changes Washington Bureau Chief: Chloe Arensberg Succeeds Ken Strickland 'As anchor, it has been an honor to lead this program and an honor to be welcomed into your homes,' Holt told viewers on his last broadcast. 'I'm so grateful for your trust around here. Around here, facts matter, words matter, journalism matters and you matter.' He continued, 'Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights from our country — the pandemic, mass shootings, natural disasters — each testing our resilience and our compassion. It's why I often like to leave you with something to smile about, moments that reassure and connect us. I'll miss our evenings together, and I will miss the team that puts it all together, my dear friends and my colleagues. But for now, I just want to say thank you to my incredibly supportive and patient family and all of you.' On a programming note, Holt said Tom Llamas will make his debut as 'NBC Nightly News' anchor on Monday, June 2. 'I wish Tom great success,' he said. SEE ALSO: At the end of the broadcast, surrounded by the show's staffers, Holt again delivered his signature parting words: 'For all of us at 'NBC Nightly News,' goodnight, so long. Please take care of yourself and each other.' Amid raucous applause from his colleagues, Holt then got a bit choked up, saying, 'Oh my goodness. It has been quite a ride. Thanks, everybody.' (Watch his full sign-off below.) Holt was named anchor of 'NBC Nightly News' in June 2015, taking over duties after the controversial exit of his predecessor, Brian Williams. Previously, Holt anchored the weekend editions of 'NBC Nightly News' for eight years and co-anchored 'Weekend Today' for 12 years. Prior to becoming co-anchor of 'Weekend Today' in 2003, Holt anchored 'Lester Holt Live,' a daily news show on MSNBC and served as a primary anchor for the cable network's coverage of major news events. Holt came to MSNBC after 14 years at CBS's Chicago station WBBM, where he served as the afternoon and evening news anchor. After studying government at California State University in Sacramento, he began his television journalism career as a reporter at WCBS in New York in 1981. The following year he moved to Los Angeles to report for KCBS (then KNXT) before returning to WCBS in 1984. Watch Holt's parting message to 'Nightly News' viewers and a supercut of his coverage over the years: Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
NBC News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Lester Holt
Lester Holt is an award-winning journalist at NBC News and anchor of 'Dateline.' Previously, he was the anchor and managing editor of 'NBC Nightly News' for a decade, leading NBC News' coverage of major breaking news and political events, including presidential elections and debates. Holt has served as principal anchor of 'Dateline' since September 2011 and joined NBC News in 2000. One of Holt's trademarks is his on-the-ground reporting, part of his deep commitment to providing viewers with first-person accounts when disaster and tragedy strikes. He has reported from around the world, including from Israel following the Oct. 7 attack as the only broadcast news anchor on the ground during the first two full weeks of the war; from Ukraine following Russia's invasion in 2022; from Tehran, Iran, in 2019, where he received rare access and interviewed top diplomats and the Iranian foreign minister; from Manchester, Brussels and Paris following the 2017 terrorist attacks that took place across Europe; and from Hungary during the 2015 migrant crisis in Europe. Throughout his tenure as anchor of 'NBC Nightly News,' Holt conducted numerous exclusive headline-making interviews with world leaders, U.S. presidents, CEOs, politicians, notable public figures and more. Holt's exclusive with President Donald Trump in May 2017 stands as one of the most consequential interviews of his first term, after Trump told Holt the firing of former FBI chief James Comey was tied to the Russia investigation. Holt also exclusively interviewed the U.S. Capitol Police officer responsible for shooting and killing a protester while defending the U.S. House chamber during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Additionally, he conducted the final interview with President Joe Biden before he dropped out of the 2024 race. Holt was also selected to moderate the first presidential debate of 2016, which was the most watched debate in American history. During 2020, he led the network's coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, anchoring weekly NBC prime-time specials to better inform millions of viewers during those initial days of uncertainty. During that time, he also launched 'Nightly News: Kids Edition,' a digital newscast aimed to inform and educate children during an especially challenging year. The Emmy-nominated series has won a Webby People's Voice Award, a Global Youth & News Media Prize and the New York Festivals TV & Film Silver Award. Throughout his career, Holt has also covered dozens of natural disasters including multiple West Coast wildfires and deadly hurricanes and tornadoes. Some other notable reporting trips include anchoring from South Africa during the Nelson Mandela memorial service, reporting from Cairo on the political and civil unrest in Egypt during the Arab Spring, covering the 2010 earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan, and reporting on the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. He was also embedded with U.S. forces reporting on the ongoing military operations in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2012. Over the past several years, Holt has distinguished himself as the leading broadcast journalist on criminal justice reform. In 2019, he led the Emmy-nominated and groundbreaking series 'Justice for All' across all NBC News platforms and 'Dateline.' For the networkwide series, Holt spent three days embedded inside Louisiana State Penitentiary, the largest maximum-security prison in America, and moderated the first-ever televised town hall from a maximum-security prison at Sing Sing, all putting a bright spotlight on mass incarceration and the many complex issues around it. Additionally, Holt has reported on several high-profile justice-related stories and landed many exclusive interviews, including the first interview with rapper Meek Mill following his release from prison, an interview with Matthew Charles, the first person released under the First Step Act, and the first interview with Cyntoia Brown Long since her release from prison. Before becoming co-anchor of 'Weekend TODAY' in 2003, Holt anchored 'Lester Holt Live,' a daily news show on MSNBC. Holt served as a primary anchor for MSNBC's coverage of major news events, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war in Afghanistan, and he was the lead daytime anchor for MSNBC's coverage of Decision 2000. Holt also served as anchor of 'Countdown: Iraq,' a nightly news telecast concentrating on the latest developments surrounding buildup to war in Iraq, from October 2002 through March 2003. Holt started at NBC News in 2000, anchoring 'Newsfront.' Holt came to MSNBC after 14 years at WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he served as the afternoon and evening news anchor. After studying government at California State University in Sacramento, he began his television journalism career as a reporter at WCBS-TV in New York in 1981. The following year, he moved to Los Angeles to report for KCBS-TV (then KNXT) before returning to WCBS in 1984. Holt has been recognized with numerous honors, including multiple Emmy Awards, the National Press Club Fourth Estate Award, the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, Quinnipiac University's Fred Friendly First Amendment Award and more. In 2022, he was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the same year 'NBC Nightly News' received the 2022 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. He received the 2025 William Allen White National Citation from the University of Kansas in April.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lester Holt reveals why he's leaving ‘Nightly News' but staying at NBC
Longtime 'NBC Nightly News' host Lester Holt revealed why he's stepping away from the anchor desk — but remaining at the Peacock Network, saying he 'still has gas in the tank.' In a sitdown with Variety, the 66-year-old newsman reflected on his 22-year career at the network, his fast-approaching exit from the chair once occupied by Tom Brokaw at the end of the month and his desire to return to his reporting roots at NBC's 'Dateline.' 'It wasn't like one moment of epiphany,' Holt said of his decision to exit the anchor chair after 10 years. 'I never saw myself doing this job forever.' Holt said he made up his mind about his future after a long conversation with his wife. 'I decided that I needed to come off the 'Nightly' gig, but I still had gas in the tank,' he said Holt's departure from evening news didn't come as a surprise to media insiders. The hiring of Tom Llamas, a popular ABC News anchor, in 2021 had sparked much speculation about succession plans. Llamas, 45, will takeover for Holt on June 2. Viewers can still catch Holt on the newsmagazine program 'Dateline,' where the veteran journalist has had a presence over the past 15 years. The assignment to move to the show full time, Holt said, provides him more freedom than his anchoring gig. 'We're still doing journalism, but these are hour and two-hour shows we're doing,'' he said. 'Some of the stories you'll see me doing will be months in the making.' Holt said he is looking forward to flex 'some different news muscles' with the fulltime reporting position. 'I once spent two nights in prison for a 'Dateline' (episode) and I've done heartbreaking stories on the asthma crisis and the economy,' he said. '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, and 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 after whatever is happening for 'Nightly.'' NBC execs are hoping that Holt can give 'Dateline' a jolt in its next-and-neck fight with rival ABC newsmagazine '20/20.' In the first quarter, 'Dateline' reeled in 4 million total viewers, while 20/20 garnered 3.97 million. Similarly, they are hoping the changing of the guard on the evening news might help the second-place 'Nightly News' catch ABC's 'World News with David Muir.' 'World News' has a firm lead, reeling in 8.1 million total viewers in the first quarter of this year, compared to 6.6 million for 'Nightly News.' 'CBS Evening News,' which shook up its anchor lineup earlier this year, ditching Norah O'Donnell for John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, averaged 4.6 million viewers. Holt, who began his career in 1981 at CBS, joined NBC News in 2003 where he held various anchoring and reporting roles. He was named 'Nightly News' anchor in 2015, following the demotion of Brian Williams. Reflecting on how 'Nightly' retains and grows viewership, Holt said: 'Our biggest challenge, really, is being where viewers are going to be — not where they are today — where they're going to be in two weeks, in a month from now. And I think that's what all of us in this industry right now are focused on. We firmly believe there's always going to be an audience for a fact-based, tell-it-like-it-is, smart-analysis kind of a broadcast.' 'Nightly' will continue, and so will Holt. 'People say it's been a great run,' he concluded. 'It's like, well, I'm still running.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘NBC Nightly News' anchor Lester Holt signs off in final broadcast after a decade: ‘The honor of a lifetime'
'NBC Nightly News' anchor Lester Holt called his decade-long tenure helming the network's evening broadcast the 'honor of a lifetime' as he bade farewell during his final newscast Friday night. 'As an anchor, it has been an honor to lead this program and an honor to be welcomed into your homes,' the 66-year-old newsman said as he signed off from the 30 Rock studio one last time. 'I'm so grateful for your trust.' The veteran journalist, who will remain at the Peacock network on 'Dateline,' where he has been principal anchor for 15 years, thanked viewers, along with his family and crew, during the heartfelt send-off. 'Around here, facts matter, words matter, journalism matters, and you matter,' Holt said. 'Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights from our country — the pandemic, mass shootings, natural disasters — each testing our resilience and our compassion. That's why I often like to leave you with something to smile about, moments that reassure and connect us.' Holt closed the broadcast, surrounded by tearful colleagues, by saying he would miss spending the evenings with his audience, before wishing his successor, Tom Llamas, 'great success.' 'In the meantime, please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I'll do the same,' he concluded as a video tribute celebrated the longtime reporter's coverage and interviews. Holt, who began his career in 1981 at CBS, joined NBC News in 2003, where he held various anchoring and reporting roles during his 22 years at the network. He was named 'Nightly News' anchor in 2015 when his predecessor, Brian Williams, ended his 28-year career at the network in disgrace after falsely claiming he was aboard a helicopter shot down in Iraq. The evening news has remained firmly in second place in the ratings behind ABC under Holt's watch. Holt, who announced his departure in February, recently told Variety that his decision to leave the anchor chair once occupied by Tom Brokaw stemmed from his desire to return to his reporting roots on the network's newsmagazine program. He explained the full-time gig will give him more freedom to 'flex different news muscles' than his anchoring role. 'I never saw myself doing this job forever,' he told the outlet of his 'Nightly News' position. 'People say it's been a great run. It's like, well, I'm still running.' Llamas, 45, will take over the legendary news desk starting Monday.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Facts matter:' Lester Holt ends ‘NBC Nightly News' tenure
Lester Holt hosted his last 'NBC Nightly News' show on Friday after a 14 year tenure as its anchor. The highly decorated reporter bid viewers a farewell by reminding them of their core values that guide the team's coverage. 'I'm so grateful for your trust around here,. Facts matter, words matter, journalism matters, and you matter,' Holt said. 'Over the last decade, we have shared some dark and harrowing days and nights of our country, the pandemic, mass shootings, natural disasters, each testing our resilience and our compassion. That's why I often like to leave you with something to smile about, moments that reassure and connect us,' he added. Holt announced he would step down in February after covering Trump throughout his first administration and earning praise for his ability to fact-check the leader in real time. He moderated the first presidential debate of 2016, covered January 6th riots and traveled to Israel to provide insight on Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel while anchoring NBC's 'Dateline.' In 2018, a Hollywood Reporter poll found that Holt was the most trusted television news personality in America. 'I will miss the team that puts it all together, my dear friends and my colleagues. But for now, I just want to say thank you to my incredibly supportive and patient family and all of you,' Holt said during his last show. Tom Llamas will succeed Holt as host and concurrently serve as the 'NBC Nightly News' managing editor. 'I wish Tom great success,' Holt said Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
