Lester Holt, anchor of NBC Nightly News, announced he will step down after a decade at the helm of the network's evening broadcast. The 65-year-old journalist will remain with NBC in a full-time role at Dateline, where he has been the principal anchor for nearly 15 years.
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In a memo shared with NBC staffers, Holt expressed gratitude for his career. He said he would continue to anchor the evening news until "the start of summer."
Holt, who reportedly earns about $10 million per year, reflected on his journey, noting, "As a 20-year-old radio reporter on the police beat chasing breaking news around San Francisco, I could never have imagined my career path would unfold in the way it has. What an amazing ride."
NBC News did not immediately announce a successor for Holt. Holt took over NBC Nightly News in 2015, following a high-profile controversy. The previous anchor, Brian Williams, garnered controversy in a scandal. He falsely claimed he was on a helicopter shot down in Iraq. The network suspended Williams for six months without pay, and Holt filled in as anchor. After Williams moved to MSNBC, Holt officially became the permanent anchor.
Holt Praised For Leadership
Under Holt's leadership, NBC Nightly News has consistently ranked second in the ratings, behind ABC's World News Tonight but well ahead of CBS' Evening News. As of mid-February, NBC's nightly broadcast drew about 6.7 million viewers, trailing ABC's 8.3 million. CBS, which recently parted ways with anchor Norah O'Donnell, averaged 4.5 million viewers.
Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News' executive vice president of programming, praised Holt's leadership during challenging times. "Lester has led the network during some of the country's most fraught and challenging times in the past decade," Rodriguez wrote in a note to staffers.
Holt's departure marks the end of an era for NBC Nightly News. With his steady hand guiding the network through some of the most significant news events in recent years, NBC now faces the challenge of filling his shoes. It comes at a time when trust in traditional news outlets is increasingly tested. The future of the broadcast will depend on his successor and how they navigate an evolving media landscape.
