NBC "Today" show anchor Hoda Kotb to depart in early 2025
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Hoda Kotb. Photo: John Nacion/Getty Images
Longtime NBC anchor Hoda Kotb announced on-air Thursday that she would be departing the "Today" show in early 2025 after 17 years with the franchise.
Why it matters: Kotb was named co-anchor of "Today" alongside Savannah Guthrie in 2017 after the ouster of Matt Lauer. She brought stability to the show during a turbulent time.
- She also proved herself to be a dynamic force for the "Today" franchise. Not only does Kotb co-anchor heavier news segments during the earlier hours of "Today," but she also hosts the softer hour of the program at 10am ET, first with Kathie Lee Gifford and currently with Jenna Bush Hager.
What they're saying: "I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on," Kotb said during the show Thursday morning.
- Noting that she had children later in life, Kotb said, "I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a finite amount of time."
The big picture: Kotb's departure comes amid a shifting landscape for big-name TV news anchors.
- As more households embrace cord-cutting, more networks are pulling back on expensive contracts for top-tier talent.
- Former "CBS Evening News" anchor Jeff Glor, for example, was part of sweeping layoffs announced at CBS parent Paramount Wednesday.
What's next: In an interview with the New York Times Thursday, Kotb said she would remain an occasional contributor to NBC and that she may pursue projects in the wellness space.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Kotb first hosted the fourth hour of "Today" with Kathie Lee Gifford and currently hosts it with Jenna Bush Hager.
