Mon May 12 11:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Lester Holt Stepping Down as “NBC Nightly News” Anchor, Returning to “Dateline” Full-Time

**NEW YORK** – After a decade at the helm of “NBC Nightly News,” Lester Holt is stepping down as anchor, effective June 2nd. However, the veteran journalist isn’t leaving NBC News entirely. Instead, he’s returning to his roots, focusing full-time on the newsmagazine program “Dateline,” where he’s been a contributor for the past 15 years.

Holt, 66, told Variety that the decision wasn’t a sudden epiphany but rather a carefully considered choice made after discussions with his wife. He expressed a desire to return to in-depth reporting, citing the flexibility and longer-form storytelling opportunities offered by “Dateline.” “We’re still doing journalism, but these are hour and two-hour shows,” he explained, highlighting the ability to work on stories months in advance.

Tom Llamas, formerly of ABC News, will succeed Holt as anchor of “NBC Nightly News.” The network hopes this transition, along with Holt’s increased involvement with “Dateline,” will boost both programs’ ratings. “Dateline” is currently neck-and-neck with ABC’s “20/20,” while “Nightly News” trails ABC’s “World News with David Muir” in viewership.

Holt’s departure comes as no surprise following the hiring of Llamas in 2021. He emphasized his continued commitment to journalism and expressed excitement about pursuing more investigative and impactful stories for “Dateline,” stating, “I want to be able to tell a producer, ‘Yes, I’ll be there for that interview next week.'” Holt’s impressive career spans over four decades, including a stint at CBS before joining NBC in 2003. He took over “Nightly News” in 2015. Despite leaving the anchor chair, Holt remains optimistic about the future of news broadcasting, highlighting the need for adaptability in the ever-changing media landscape.

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