NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt has served the broadcast for almost ten years but now prepares to leave the show. Lester Holt announced his departure from NBC Nightly News by revealing he will start his departure at summer’s beginning. Holt continues his work at NBC News in a full-time position because he anchors Dateline where he has been a major presence during the last 15 years. The TV news broadcasting network NBC has not introduced a new anchorman while speculation continues about the replacement for this valuable position.
A Storied Career in Journalism
Lester Holt succeeded Brian Williams as permanent NBC Nightly News presenter after operating the weekend broadcasts for eight years. His NBC career spans over decade-long co-host duties at Weekend TODAY before he started leading Dateline in 2011. Holt appreciated the unplanned ascension he experienced in his journalistic career.
“As a 20-year-old radio reporter covering breaking news in San Francisco, I never imagined my career would take this path,” he said.
Covering the World’s Biggest Stories
During his period leading Nightly News Lester Holt delivered coverage of major global happenings that shaped the last ten years including:
- The political rise of Donald Trump
- The Covid-19 pandemic
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- The ongoing war in Gaza
Recently, Lester Holt took part in NBC’s election night broadcast, interviewing two exclusive interviewees, including President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, and conducting the Dateline special about the Los Angeles wildfires in 2025.
NBC Executives React to Holt’s Departure
NBC News leadership openly commended all of Lester Holt’s work within the organization. The programming executive Janelle Rodriguez holds the role of executive vice president at NBC.
“the beating heart of this news organization.”
She credited him with leading the network through the country’s most turbulent moments while maintaining the public’s trust.
A Lasting Legacy in Journalism
The NBC News employee Lester Holt started his work there in 2000 before earning multiple Emmy awards and receiving the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2019. Dateline now welcomes Stephen Holt into an amplified position while protecting his unique position as a trusted American journalist.
