NBC Explains Who Will Replace Hoda Kotb On ‘Today’

Hoda Kotb | YouTube

When Hoda Kotb announced she was leaving The Today Show, it shocked both her fans and colleagues. However, after people got over the initial shock, the questions moved to who would replace Hoda. She has been on the show for 17 years, so it will be strange to see the morning talk show without her face on the screen.

Here is what NBC has said about replacing the long-time talk show host when she leaves at the start of 2025.

Who Is Replacing Hoda Kotb On The Today Show?

Hoda Kotb announced on Thursday, September 26, that she was leaving The Today Show. She is not moving to another network or another show. Hoda is leaving because she wants to spend more time at home with her kids. However, Hoda leaving will leave a big vacancy on Today.

Hoda Kotb - Today
Hoda Kotb – Today

It looks like NBC already has its eyes on a replacement. “The big contender who everyone at the network is talking about is Laura Jarrett — she has a really strong chance,” an NBC insider said (via US Weekly). “She’s the anchor of Weekend Today; she is a lawyer like [Kotb’s coanchor] Savannah [Guthrie]. She’s a darling at the Today show who has risen up very quickly.”

While Jarrett seems to be the frontrunner, other names are being passed around. NBC has a few months to decide, as Hoda Kotb won’t leave until January 2025. In a different scenario, there is a chance that NBC could move people around, maybe pushing Craig Melvin or Carson Daly into her lead spot from their current co-host roles.

“The other option is they could move around anchors,” the NBC insider said. “They could put Craig with Savannah, or they could put Sheneille [Jones] with Savannah.”

Other newcomers could include Halle Jackson, who was named anchor for NBC Nightly News on Sundays in May, Political and National correspondent Jacob Soboroff, and NBC News Now anchor Tom Llamas.

Who Is Hoda Kotb’s Possible Replacement, Laura Jarrett?

Laura Jarrett, 40, is the daughter of Valerie Jarrett, President Barack Obama’s senior advisor during his administration. She has only worked for NBC News since 2022. However, in September 2023, she became a co-anchor of the Today coverage on Saturdays, replacing Kristen Welker.

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie - Instagram
Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie – Instagram

She was the co-anchor who broke the news on NBC when Donald Trump was found guilty of 43 felony counts of falsifying business records, reading all 34 counts live on air. She was told the verdict in real time as the jury revealed their decision to the court. Before she joined NBC, Jarrett worked for CNN from 2016 to 2022. She graduated from Harvard University with a Juris Doctor degree.

Who do you want to see replace Hoda Kotb on Today after she leaves the show? Do you think anyone can replace the personality she brought to the morning talk show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Shawn Lealos
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9 Comments

  1. Peter Alexander should be selected as Hoda’s replacement. He has the experience, years, and personality to compliment Savanah ‘s.

  2. I dont want laura jarrett. She doesnt have thevyesrs to make her as wstm and caring as Hoda. I say craig melvin or shenelle jones!

  3. Graig Melvin would be great. Hoda had too much giggling acting so silly at times. Hard to watch her at times. Nothing against hoda. Craig is more serious in delivering the news. Why not Al. His voice is always taken seriously. Doesn’t sit there and giggle all the time. It’s hard to watch Jenna and Honda together bc they constantly giggle and can’t make out what they giggling about either. Let’s take our news seriously and act grown up!

  4. I watch the today show every day all four hours and I called in a couple of years ago and gave a suggestion to whoever answered the phone that they should give adorable Donna more air time I think she is good at what she does on the today show small parts during the show and reporting and sharing with us her reports Kathy Lee called her adorable Donna and she is adorable from me who views and hears her on television she may not be considered for that position that is my opinion and my thoughts for and about Donna farizan your show is number one for me all of the today show make me laugh sorry for no punctuation hope you can read and make sense

  5. I like Craig or Sheinelle . They have that bubbly fun way of keeping you interested on the news and what ever they are talking about. But they can be serious at the same time.

  6. I watched Today show everyday but have not it since Savanah
    did that one sided debate with
    Trump.
    she wasterrible and so bias
    Hoda and Jena show is a waste of time

    Today needs to clean house then .maybe watch again

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