Hoda Kotb has announced that she is leaving TODAY early next year. pic.twitter.com/sXuRsDbNnI
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 26, 2024
Hoda Kotb, a cherished figure on NBC News’ “TODAY” show for nearly 20 years, announced on Thursday that she will be stepping down from her role early next year. She shared that turning 60 in August led her to reflect and decide on embracing new opportunities. “It’s time for me to turn the page and try something new,” Kotb said tearfully, joined by her co-hosts.
Since 2018, Kotb has co-anchored the show with Savannah Guthrie, marking the first all-female anchor team for “TODAY.” Guthrie, visibly emotional, expressed her admiration, calling Kotb’s exit one at the “top of her game.” She praised Kotb for her courage and shared how the team couldn’t imagine the show without her.
Kotb reassured viewers that while she will step down from her co-anchor position, she will remain with “TODAY” until early next year in an unspecified role. NBC News has yet to announce her successor.
In a heartfelt note to her colleagues, Kotb emphasized the importance of spending more time with her daughters and her mother, who she said deserve more of her time. However, she remains committed to staying a part of the NBC family.
Al Roker, her longtime colleague, expressed his admiration, saying, “I’ve never known anyone quite like you, and I’ve loved you for years.”
Kotb’s journey with NBC began in 1998 as a correspondent for “Dateline.” She joined “TODAY” in 2007, initially co-hosting the light-hearted fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford, which became a hit due to their infectious chemistry. Since 2018, she has been the co-anchor of “TODAY” during critical news periods, including the Trump and Biden presidencies and the COVID-19 pandemic.
As she steps away from her role, Kotb assures her fans that there’s still plenty of time to talk about what’s next for her and her career.
Finding a replacement for Hoda Kotb is a critical task for NBC executives, who have yet to reveal her successor. “TODAY” currently holds a solid ratings advantage over ABC and CBS among adults under 54, a demographic crucial to advertisers. While ABC’s “Good Morning America” maintains a lead in total viewership, “TODAY” has dominated the key age group for 58 straight weeks, marking its best performance in over three years.
In the interview, Kotb was asked if she ever anticipated being a prominent figure on “TODAY” for nearly two decades when she first joined.
Credit: https://www.today.com/news/hoda-kotb-leaving-today-show-rcna172812
