Craig Melvin is set to help steer NBC’s Today show into its next chapter. A seasoned NBC News journalist who has spent years anchoring on MSNBC and contributing to various segments of the iconic morning program, Melvin will now step into the prominent co-host role for the flagship 7 AM to 9 AM hours of Today.
He will co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie, succeeding Hoda Kotb, who announced in September her decision to step down from her full-time duties with the show.
Melvin’s promotion comes as no surprise, as he has long been considered a top candidate for the position. In 2018, he began taking on more visible responsibilities with Today, including co-anchoring the 9 AM hour.
For viewers, his transition into the new role is expected to feel natural. Kotb revealed on Thursday’s broadcast that her last day would be Friday, January 10.
A Smooth Transition
While anchor changes on morning TV can be challenging—viewers often grow deeply attached to familiar faces—such shifts are inevitable.
Kotb, who has been a cherished presence on Today, cited her desire to spend more time with her two young children as the reason for stepping back from her daily responsibilities.
“We are beyond thrilled to have Craig step into the co-anchor chair,” said Libby Leist, senior vice president of Today, in a statement to staff.
“He’s been an integral and beloved part of our family. From breaking news coverage in the field to presidential interviews, to multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, Craig’s shown he has the talent and the range to cover all that we do here at Today. And he does it without ever losing that Southern charm.”
Rising Ratings
Today has recently enjoyed an upswing in viewership, partly attributed to NBC’s broadcasts of the Paris Olympics.
Over the last two weeks, the program has outperformed its primary competitor, ABC’s Good Morning America, in overall audience numbers.
Additionally, Today has maintained its leading position among viewers aged 25 to 54, the demographic most valued by news advertisers.
Kotb’s 10 AM Hour
NBC has not yet announced a permanent replacement for Kotb’s other role as co-anchor of the 10 AM hour, which she shares with Jenna Bush Hager.
That hour, which leans toward lifestyle content, will temporarily be titled Today with Jenna and Friends and will feature a rotating lineup of co-hosts.
Hager will collaborate with a variety of interesting guests, ranging from familiar Today faces to celebrity surprises, while the network evaluates long-term options for the segment.
Melvin’s NBC Journey
Melvin’s career with NBC spans decades, beginning with his first job at WIS, an NBC affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina, while he was still in high school.
After college, he returned to WIS as a producer and anchor before moving to NBC’s Washington, D.C. station, WRC, in 2008, where he began anchoring weekend newscasts. He joined MSNBC in 2011, where he steadily rose through the ranks.
In addition to his new co-anchor duties, Melvin will continue to co-host the third hour of Today alongside Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Sheinelle Jones.
