NBC News has found its replacement for Lester Holt in senior national correspondent Tom Llamas.
The current “Top Story” host will replace Holt as the anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News” once the longtime journalist exits this summer, NBC News EVP of programming Janelle Rodriguez told staff on Wednesday.
“I look forward to working with the world class journalists at ‘Nightly News’ and ‘Top Story’ to bring viewers the most important stories every night,” Llamas added in a statement of his own, noting that his selection is “a profound honor and one that carries tremendous responsibility.”
Lester Holt to Exit 'NBC Nightly News'
Before he rose to this top position, Llamas started his career at NBC News as an intern at a local Telemundo station. He then accepted a position as an overnight production assistant before embedding himself within a political campaign. He also had stints at local stations WTVJ and WNBC and later reported at ABC as a chief national affairs correspondent, where he also served as a weekend anchor for “World News Tonight.”
In addition to his current role as host of “Top Story” for NBC News Now, which he will retain, Llamas is also a regular guest host for “Nightly News” and reports for “Today.”
“Tom has the winning combination of journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling and unyielding integrity — all characteristics that have long been trademarks of ‘NBC Nightly News,’” Rodriguez said in a further statement. “Additionally, he’s been instrumental in growing NBC News Now into the leading streaming news network, helping to introduce NBC News to a new generation of viewers.”
Llamas’ new role at the platform comes after Holt, the veteran “Nightly News” anchor, announced on Feb. 24 that he’d be leaving the program.
“The time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of ‘Nightly News.’ 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,” Holt said in a memo to staffers last month.
