The NBC show’s staff broke into applause when they heard the news

HODA Kotb’s replacement co-anchor on NBC’s Today Show has been announced.

Craig Melvin will join Savannah Guthrie as a co-anchor on the Today show in the new year.

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Craig Melvin and Savannah Guthrie held hands during the announcement of his new role on Thursday morning’s showCredit: NBC

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Craig Melvin and his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, and their two kidsCredit: Instagram/Lindsay Czarniak

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Craig Melvin announcing he’ll replace Hoda Kotb on the Today Show on November 14Credit: NBC
Hoda announced in September that she was leaving the show after almost two decades.

After her last day on January 10, Craig will step up to the plate on Monday, January 13.

The anchor, 45, is a familiar face to Today viewers after working with the network for 14 years.

He currently anchors the 9 am hour of the program.

He’ll now sit beside Savannah for the 7 and 8 am hours of the show.

“I am beyond excited and grateful,” an emotional Craig said on Thursday morning’s program.

“I had a lot of conversations yesterday with a lot of people who mean a lot to me, and I want to thank NBC and the folks here who deemed me worthy.

“I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of blessings, and this is the latest in a long line of blessings,” he said.

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Craig went on to thank his dad, who overcame addiction, and his mom, who worked multiple jobs to sacrifice for her family growing up.

He also thanked his wife of 13 years, Lindsay Czarniak, who was formerly a sports anchor for Fox.

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Hoda Kotb announces she’s leaving Today show after 5 years as co-anchor in ‘painful’ decision

Craig and Lindsay share two kids together, who Craig said “make him proud every day.”

Savannah was all smiles as her new co-anchor was announced.

“Our dear friend, and talented, wonderful, hardworking, most worthy of this, Craig Melvin is the new anchor of the Today show,” Savannah said.

“The larger staff found out this morning, and people broke into applause.

“This is the most popular decision NBC has ever made,” she said.

Savannah told Hoda that she’s “irreplaceable in our hearts” before continuing to praise Craig as “talented, wonderful, hard-working, most-worthy.”

PASSING THE BATON

Hoda also gave her blessing to Craig, telling him that he’s “literally made for this job.”

“You have all the things this job needs,” she said.

“You are the right person for it.”

Hoda also said her last day on January 10 will be a “party day.”

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Hoda broke into tears as she announced her departure from the Today show on September 26Credit: Getty

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Hoda on Today in February 2024Credit: Getty
Hoda has co-anchored the show with Savannah since early 2018, making the first all-female anchor team.

She made the decision to step down from the show when she turned 60 in August.