NBC Information on Wednesday tapped Tom Llamas to take over the “Nightly News” anchor chair from Lester Holt when he steps down this summer season.
Llamas, a senior nationwide correspondent and anchor of “Top Story with Tom Llamas,” had been rumored as Holt’s alternative after the veteran journalist introduced his departure final 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 mentioned in a press release.
Holt, who has helmed the second-place night information program for a decade, will stay in a full-time function at “Dateline.”
“Lester Holt is a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time,” mentioned Llamas, who was additionally 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 tell staffers that he informed Llamas that anchoring the published 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,” in keeping with NBC Information.
Llamas, 45, reportedly makes a modest wage estimated at round $2.5 million.
NBC didn’t reveal any monetary phrases for his new function.
Llamas began his profession as an intern at an area Telemundo station earlier than getting employed by NBC Information, the place he held a number of roles.
He jumped to ABC in 2014 and anchored weekend editions of the community’s “World News Tonight” – earlier than returning to NBC in 2021 as a senior nationwide correspondent.
Llamas has frequently stuffed in for Holt on “Nightly News” and stories usually for that program, along with the “Today” present.
“Tom has the winning combination of journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling and unyielding integrity — all characteristics that have long been trademarks of ‘NBC Nightly News,’” mentioned Janelle Rodriguez, NBC Information govt vice chairman 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, lengthy held by Tom Brokaw, at a tumultuous time for Comcast-owned NBCUniversal. The media big mentioned late final yr that it could spin off a number of of its cable channels, together with MSNBC and CNBC, however not NBC.
The change additionally comes as viewers shift away from watching community information, translating to a softer promoting market.
CBS not too long ago revamped its “Evening News” program, ousting its marquee anchor Norah O’Donnell, in favor of inexpensive co-anchors Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson.
ABC’s “World News Tonight with David Muir” is the top-rated community information broadcast, averaging about 7.7 million viewers final season, in keeping with Nielsen.
“NBC Nightly News” drew 6.44 million and “CBS Evening News” 4.65 million.
