Lester Holt’s Bold Move: Leaving NBC Nightly News After a Decade to Forge a New Path

Lester Holt, the steady hand behind NBC Nightly News for a decade, sent shockwaves through the journalism world when he announced his departure from the anchor desk, effective May 30, 2025. Breaking his silence on the decision, Holt revealed a mix of reflection and ambition, stating he still had “gas in the tank” and was eager to dive deeper into storytelling at Dateline NBC. His exit, after guiding viewers through tumultuous events like the Covid-19 pandemic, multiple presidential elections, and global conflicts, marks the end of an era for NBC’s flagship broadcast. This article delves into Holt’s reasons for leaving, his legacy at Nightly News, the transition to successor Tom Llamas, and what this shift means for the future of broadcast journalism in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Lester Holt: A Trusted Voice in Turbulent Times

At 66, Lester Holt is a journalistic titan, known for his calm demeanor and unflappable presence. Born in Marin County, California, Holt began his career as a radio reporter in San Francisco, chasing breaking news at age 20. His journey took him through local stations in Sacramento and Los Angeles before joining NBC News in 2000. After anchoring weekend editions of Nightly News and co-anchoring Weekend TODAY, Holt succeeded Brian Williams in 2015 as the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News, a role he held for a decade. His tenure was marked by steady leadership, earning him the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Holt’s anchoring style—measured, empathetic, and authoritative—made him a trusted figure during crises. He reported from conflict zones like Afghanistan and Iraq, covered natural disasters, and moderated presidential debates, including the contentious 2016 and 2020 cycles. As a Black journalist, Holt broke barriers, becoming the first African American to solo-anchor a weekday network evening newscast. His personal life, including his 43-year marriage to Carol Hagen and his pride in sons Stefan (an NBC 5 Chicago anchor) and Cameron, grounded him, with family support shaping his decision to step away from the nightly grind.

Breaking Silence: Why Holt Is Leaving

Holt’s decision to leave NBC Nightly News, announced on February 24, 2025, was not driven by controversy or fatigue but by a desire for greater creative freedom. In candid reflections, he described the move as the result of deep conversations with his wife and confidants, noting it wasn’t a single “epiphany” but a realization that he never saw himself anchoring forever. At 66, Holt felt the pull of long-form journalism, a passion he could pursue full-time at Dateline NBC, where he has been a presence since 2011. The shift allows him to craft in-depth investigative stories, some taking months to produce, without the nightly demands of breaking news.

The anchor role, while prestigious, required constant availability, often forcing Holt to drop personal plans or reporting projects to cover unfolding events. By moving to Dateline, he gains flexibility to focus on subjects he cares deeply about, such as social justice, crime, and human-interest stories. Holt emphasized he’s not retiring, reassuring fans with, “I’m still running,” and expressing excitement about expanding his footprint on Dateline, one of NBC’s most iconic programs. His statement reflects a journalist eager to evolve, not exit, in a career spanning over four decades.

The Transition to Tom Llamas

Holt’s departure paves the way for Tom Llamas, a 45-year-old veteran correspondent, to take the Nightly News helm starting June 2, 2025. Llamas, who joined NBC from ABC in 2021, has served as Holt’s primary fill-in and anchors Top Story with Tom Llamas on NBC News NOW. His appointment, long rumored as part of NBC’s succession planning, marks a historic milestone: Llamas is the first Latino journalist to anchor NBC Nightly News. He has praised Holt as “a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time,” vowing to uphold the broadcast’s commitment to truth and viewers.

NBC is betting on Llamas to boost Nightly News’s ratings, which trail ABC World News Tonight’s 8.1 million viewers with 6.6 million in Q1 2025. A promotional campaign launched on May 19, 2025, reintroduces Llamas to audiences, emphasizing his experience and dynamic presence. Llamas will continue anchoring Top Story, balancing streaming and broadcast roles, a nod to the evolving media landscape. His multilingual skills and Emmy-winning reporting, including coverage of immigration and natural disasters, position him as a strong successor, though he faces the challenge of filling Holt’s formidable shoes.

Fan and Industry Reactions

Holt’s announcement, shared via a staff memo and amplified on X, elicited a mix of admiration and sadness. Fans praised his integrity, with posts describing him as a “class act” who guided the nation through turbulent times. Others expressed disappointment, with one user calling it a “complete collapse of legacy media,” though Holt’s move to Dateline counters retirement rumors. Industry peers, including NBC’s Janelle Rodriguez, lauded Holt as “the beating heart of this news organization,” highlighting his mentorship and leadership.

The timing of Holt’s exit, alongside other 2025 anchor departures like Norah O’Donnell from CBS Evening News and Joy Reid from MSNBC, has sparked debate about the future of evening news. Some on X speculated about network restructuring, with Michael Che joking on SNL’s Weekend Update about being the “next Black anchor” to leave NBC. However, Holt’s voluntary shift to Dateline sets his exit apart, reflecting a personal choice rather than external pressures. The contrast with Brian Williams’ 2015 departure amid controversy further underscores Holt’s graceful exit.

The Broader Context: Broadcast News in 2025

Holt’s departure comes at a pivotal moment for broadcast journalism. Evening newscasts, once the gold standard, face declining viewership as audiences turn to streaming and social media. NBC Nightly News, with 6.6 million viewers, lags behind ABC World News Tonight’s David Muir, who leads with 8.1 million, while CBS Evening News’s new co-anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois trail at 4.6 million. Holt’s exit, following O’Donnell’s and Hoda Kotb’s from TODAY, reflects a broader shake-up, with networks adapting to digital platforms and younger demographics.

The rise of anchors like Llamas, who bridges broadcast and streaming, signals this shift. Holt’s move to Dateline, a program thriving with 3–4 million weekly viewers and a strong Peacock presence, aligns with this trend, allowing him to leverage long-form storytelling for a digital audience. Yet, Holt remains optimistic about traditional news, arguing that its role in informing millions nightly—over 10 million across ABC, CBS, and NBC—ensures its survival despite industry challenges.

Holt’s Legacy at Nightly News

Holt leaves Nightly News with a formidable legacy. His decade-long tenure saw the broadcast maintain strong ratings, often competing closely with ABC. He guided viewers through defining moments, from the 2016 election to the January 6 Capitol riot, earning praise for his steady hand. As a Black anchor, Holt’s visibility was historic, inspiring journalists like his son Stefan, who anchors at NBC 5 Chicago. His commitment to “keeping journalism as our true north” resonated with colleagues, who credit him with fostering a collaborative newsroom.

His personal touches, like playing bass guitar and sharing stories of his sons, humanized him. Cameron’s 2015 on-air surprise, celebrating Holt’s Nightly News appointment, and Stefan’s studio visits as a child highlighted his family’s support, which he leaned on during his decision-making process. Holt’s pride in anchoring two iconic programs—Nightly News and Dateline—reflects a career that evolved from a San Francisco radio reporter to a broadcast legend.

What’s Next for Holt and Nightly News

At Dateline, Holt plans to dive into investigative storytelling, producing hour-long specials on issues like criminal justice and community resilience. His full-time role, a first for the program, will see him collaborate closely with producers, a prospect he finds “liberating” after the nightly news cycle’s constraints. Fans can expect Holt’s signature gravitas in stories that delve deeper than a 22-minute broadcast allows, potentially attracting new viewers to Dateline’s streaming platforms.

For Nightly News, Llamas’s arrival offers a chance to refresh the brand. His Latino heritage and bilingual skills could broaden the audience, while his streaming experience aligns with NBC’s digital push. However, he inherits a competitive landscape, with Muir’s World News Tonight dominating and CBS experimenting with co-anchors. Llamas’s ability to maintain Holt’s trust and ratings will be crucial as NBC navigates this transition.

Lessons from Holt’s Departure

Holt’s exit offers lessons about purpose and evolution. His decision to prioritize passion over prestige, moving from a coveted anchor role to a creative one, inspires professionals to redefine success at any career stage. For viewers, it’s a reminder of journalism’s enduring value, even as formats shift. Holt’s focus on storytelling over headlines encourages media consumers to seek depth in news, whether through Dateline’s investigations or Nightly News’s daily reports.

His graceful exit, free of scandal, contrasts with the tumult of other 2025 departures, reinforcing the importance of integrity. Holt’s optimism about broadcast news, despite industry challenges, suggests that trusted voices like his—and soon Llamas’s—can adapt to a changing world, keeping viewers at the heart of their mission.

Conclusion

Lester Holt’s decision to step down from NBC Nightly News after a decade, announced with candor and conviction, marks a pivotal moment for broadcast journalism. His move to Dateline NBC, driven by a desire for creative freedom and fueled by “gas in the tank,” reflects a journalist still hungry to tell meaningful stories. As Tom Llamas prepares to take the reins, Holt’s legacy—marked by trust, empathy, and historic milestones—sets a high bar. Fans, moved by his tenure and excited for his next chapter, celebrate a career that continues to evolve. In a media landscape facing upheaval, Holt’s exit is a beacon of purpose, reminding us that journalism’s heart lies in the stories that connect us, from nightly broadcasts to in-depth investigations.