In a seismic shift that’s rattling the corridors of 30 Rock, NBC News has unveiled a sweeping roster of hosts set for the chopping block come 2026, signaling a bold reinvention amid slumping ratings and fierce streaming competition. The bombshell list, leaked via internal memos and confirmed by network insiders, kicks off with a gut-punch to the crown jewel of morning TV: Craig Melvin, the affable co-anchor of NBC’s flagship TODAY show, whose promotion to replace Hoda Kotb in early 2025 now feels like a fleeting victory. Melvin, 46, joined TODAY as a news anchor in 2013 before ascending to co-host duties alongside Savannah Guthrie, bringing his sharp wit and relatable charm to millions of bleary-eyed viewers each dawn. But sources whisper that his exit stems from a strategic pivot toward younger, digitally savvy talent, as NBC grapples with Good Morning America‘s decade-long dominance.

This isn’t just Melvin’s farewell; it’s the vanguard of a broader bloodletting designed to slash costs and refresh a lineup weary from scandals and scandals past. High on the hit list: Al Roker, the 71-year-old weatherman extraordinaire who’s been a TODAY fixture since 1996, dishing forecasts with his signature bow ties and boundless energy. Roker’s potential ouster – tied to health hiatuses and a push for Gen-Z meteorologists – would sever a living link to the show’s golden era, evoking Matt Lauer’s infamous 2017 flameout. Also eyed for removal: Willie Geist, the silver-tongued host of Sunday TODAY, whose Morning Joe crossovers have blurred lines but failed to stem cord-cutting hemorrhages. Geist, 50, embodies NBC’s Beltway bromance, but execs reportedly see him as expendable in a post-election landscape.

The purge extends beyond mornings. Lester Holt, the steady voice of NBC Nightly News since 2015, faces whispers of retirement at 67, paving the way for Tom Llamas’ full takeover – a move already teased in 2025 pilots. Weekend warriors aren’t spared: Peter Alexander, NBC’s chief White House correspondent and Saturday TODAY co-anchor, is slated for reassignment to podcasts, diluting his on-air gravitas amid White House access wars. Even Meet the Press isn’t immune, with Chuck Todd‘s successor hunt accelerating, potentially sidelining interim fill-ins like Kristen Welker.

Why now? NBCUniversal’s 2025 earnings call hinted at “portfolio optimization,” code for trimming $500 million in overhead as viewers flock to TikTok briefs and Peacock exclusives. The network’s vaunted early-warning systems – ironic, given TODAY‘s weather obsession – flagged viewer fatigue: TODAY‘s demo skews older than ABC’s, with ad revenue dipping 12% year-over-year. Yet, this overhaul isn’t all doom; it’s laced with promise. Insiders buzz about fresh blood like NBC News Now’s rising star Gadi Schwartz stepping into Melvin’s slot, blending viral clips with hard-hitting interviews. Climate-shifted viewer habits demand it: shorter segments, AR graphics, and influencer collabs to lure the scrollers.

As 2026 looms, NBC’s faithful ponder the fallout. Will Guthrie soldier on solo, or join the exodus? For Melvin and crew, it’s a bitter pill – decades of 4 a.m. wake-ups traded for uncertain futures. In TV’s cutthroat arena, this list isn’t just removals; it’s a resurrection. Tune in, America: the new dawn breaks bloody.