NBC News on Wednesday tapped Tom Llamas to take over the “Nightly News” anchor chair from Lester Holt when he steps down this summer.
Llamas, a senior national correspondent and anchor of “Top Story with Tom Llamas,” had been rumored as Holt’s replacement after the veteran journalist announced his departure last week.
“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 said in a statement.
Holt, who has helmed the second-place evening news program for a decade, will remain in a full-time role at “Dateline.”
“Lester Holt is a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time,” said Llamas, who was also given the title managing editor.
“Just like Lester, I promise to be devoted to our viewers and dedicated to the truth.”
Holt phoned in Wednesday to inform staffers that he told Llamas that anchoring the broadcast was “not only one of the great jobs, but it’s a great staff he’s inheriting. I know you all will give him your 100% support as you make the transition,” according to NBC News.
Llamas, 45, reportedly makes a modest salary estimated at around $2.5 million.
NBC did not reveal any financial terms for his new role.
Llamas started his career as an intern at a local Telemundo station before getting hired by NBC News, where he held several roles.
He jumped to ABC in 2014 and anchored weekend editions of the network’s “World News Tonight” – before returning to NBC in 2021 as a senior national correspondent.
Llamas has regularly filled in for Holt on “Nightly News” and reports often for that program, in addition to the “Today” show.
“Tom has the winning combination of journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling and unyielding integrity — all characteristics that have long been trademarks of ‘NBC Nightly News,’” said Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News executive vice president of programming.
“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,” she added.
Llamas takes the anchor chair, long held by Tom Brokaw, at a tumultuous time for Comcast-owned NBCUniversal. The media giant said late last year that it would spin off several of its cable channels, including MSNBC and CNBC, but not NBC.
The change also comes as viewers shift away from watching network news, translating to a softer advertising market.
CBS recently revamped its “Evening News” program, ousting its marquee anchor Norah O’Donnell, in favor of less expensive co-anchors Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson.
ABC’s “World News Tonight with David Muir” is the top-rated network news broadcast, averaging about 7.7 million viewers last season, according to Nielsen.
“NBC Nightly News” drew 6.44 million and “CBS Evening News” 4.65 million.
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